Alcohol intake fell on average to a sixth of previous levels, but today it is rising. The trend repeats for tobacco consumption. The risks to any drug user are very real. No-one believes that they will get caught out by getting addicted to them. In a world where image is everything it is easy for individuals to become convinced that they can't live up to these ideals.
Drugs seem to give an extra boost.
Rejection Low self-worth can be compounded by rejection. This could be real, as in the case of a child abandoned by his or her parents, or imagined. Peer pressure People need to feel as if they fit in with their friends. The resulting peer pressure can be very powerful, and can strongly influence behaviour. Social training Children living in homes where smoking or drug taking is considered normal, are more likely to adopt similar habits.