These young people are at particularly high risk for alcohol and other drug problems. You may want to seek the help of a professional if you believe that your child may have this type of temperament. And, there are also some young people who really want to rebel against society by engaging in antisocial behavior, juvenile delinquency, treating others poorly, and so forth. These young people often have not received the warmth and acceptance they needed while growing up. Children who experience rejection from their parents or other caretakers also appear to be at greater risk than other children for alcohol or drug problems.
Research also suggests that supportive parenting patterns have the opposite effect.
Parents who are warm and accepting, who express realistic expectations about their children's abilities, who are diligent and effective in supervising and monitoring children, whose limit-setting methods are noncoercive, and who spend time with their children, are much less likely to raise children who use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. As discussed earlier, only you can determine the level of risk that your child is comfortable with, and which activities would be at that level. Listed at right are a number of different levels of risk-taking activities. Taking Risks Teenagers feel almost immortal. Although they worry about what their friends think about them and about who is going to say what about them at the cafeteria table, they don't believe they are physically in much danger in the world.