There are many reasons that teens and young adults get involved with drugs, and unfortunately, there are many instances in which the root of substance use goes much deeper than "experimentation." Consider the following reasons that adolescents and young adults use drugs. In Attempt To Fit In:  Making friends and establishing oneself at school can be difficult for adolescents. The teenage years often come with many insecurities, low self-esteem, and fear of not being accepted. In order to fit in, to feel "cool," or join an older, more seductive social circle, many teens will start buying and using drugs. To Feel Good:  Many adolescents abuse drugs or alcohol to get high. They are looking for a thrill, an intensified feeling that they cannot obtain through simple pleasures like food or exercise. This is where the addiction cycle starts to kick in. Drugs interact with the way our brain produces and the way our body experiences pleasure. When drugs are used, the brain creates up to ten times the normal amount of dopamine and euphoria a person should experience. It is unnatural chemistry that takes place, but our brain remembers it. It craves it. To Feel Better:  There is the desire to feel good, and there is the need to feel better. These are two very distinct entities when evaluating teen drug use. Teens looking to "feel better" are, in truth, self-medicating. They are battling something deeper than peer pressure or a failed homework assignment. Some adolescents are suffering from deep-seated conditions like depression, social anxiety, and stress-related disorders. They use drugs to forget or replace their negative feelings with substance-induced pleasure. Experimentation:  The brain does not finish developing until the age of 25. The last part of the brain to develop is the one that controls rational decision making, self-control, and judgment, making adolescents more prone to trying risky and daring activities. Drugs and alcohol are often easy, accessible outlets for experimentation that can severely impact the developing teenage brain. Competition:  The need to perform, to impress, and to make proud is great pressure for adolescents and young adults. Whether in school or on the field, young people consistently want to prove they are the best to their peers and parents. The competition to be outstanding, however, can be intense. In academics, for example, teens and young adults often rely on the misuse of prescription stimulants as "smart drugs" or study aids to improve academic performance. Attention:  Teens often experience a lack of purpose or talent. They feel like they are not good enough to shine or are lacking something to make them special. These feelings may drive them toward substance abuse. Some youth do not know how to become the best, so they choose to become the worst in hopes of getting their parents' and teachers' undivided attention. Lack Of Education:  Some adolescents and young adults grow up thinking drug and alcohol use is normal. Their favourite musicians are singing about it, and the movies are glamorising it, the TV ads are selling it. Whether you are sad, can't sleep, or have a headache, there is a drug for you. Our culture has adopted the "pill cures all" mentality, leading our youth to feel the same about drugs. Many do not understand the consequences of drug use. Many teens do not know how it can harm their minds, bodies, and relationships. They need proper education. They need someone to tell them the truth about drugs and alcohol. Addiction:  Some teens and young adults are stuck in the cycle. At such a young age, they are more vulnerable to developing dependence and addiction. They get in over their heads at an early age and do not know how to get out. They need you to extend a hand. They need us.