Young people often feel awkward and self-conscious. They may feel caught between conformity and the urge to be different. Young people may not always have the skills to deal with the stresses and pressures of life to which they are vulnerable. Parents and other adults use tobacco , tea, coffee, aspirin, prescribed drugs and alcohol . Mixed messages from media, peers, parents, school and work often contradict or conflict with young people's experience of themselves.
Young people get many messages about alcohol and other drugs.
Different messages mean young people receive both encouragement and discouragement regarding drug use. Adolescent binge drinking often occurs in social settings with friends and is therefore perceived to have positive recreational outcomes amongst young people. At the same time health campaigns warn of the negative health and other effects of binge drinking, such as acute intoxication and the increased likelihood of risky behaviour. Such promotion makes alcohol consumption look like a lot more fun than heeding the messages of health campaigns about non-drinking or moderate drinking. The most common drugs used by young people are alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs.