A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:What is the most common cause,in families of juvenile delinquency and drug addiction?My sister kids are all dropped out of school, and into drugs and crime. It's a real frightening situation from the outside. I'm talking about serious drugs...I can't see behind the walls , so I don't know what is going on, and how can I support her.The situation is getting out of control, and now they are 100% dysfunctional family.What do you think what could be the cause?I need to understand it more , before I could help .
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female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (24 November 2011):
 I haven't worked in this field, but to my understanding of it, from talking to people and from own life experience and witnessing things, it's a combination of many factors. First and foremost it's about bad luck. Being at the wrong place and at the wrong time. Humans are easily persuaded into things, and drugs get you addicted very fast. Especially young people are so easily influenced by group pressure. It could be anyone's kid, those from poor families, those from rich and "good" families, anyone can get addicted to drugs. It's not about how they were raised, or if they did good or bad in school, if they are smart or dumb etc. It's for most part bad luck, being at the wrong place, hanging with the wrong person.
A teenager or young person doesn't have to be interested in drugs, or crimes, or be an outlaw, to get involved with it. It could be they just met a person who seemed nice, and who introduced them to drugs. Getting high IS GREAT, which is why people get high after all. It's an amazing feeling. Once you've tried it, it can be hard not to want to do it again. Getting addicted to drugs happens much much easier than taking a liking to, say, ice cream. If you think losing weight, and not having that bad of snack, is hard... then multiply that with 20 or more, because thats how hard it is to get off drugs once you're addicted.
And, once you are an addict then you always will be an addict. Every day is a fight against it. It's a lot harder than quitting smoking. It's a lot harder than not eating that ice cream so you can lose weight.
So to sum it up, the reasons why they got into drugs in the first place has everything to do with their first introduction to drugs. If you want to know why they started drugs then ask them about their first experience with it. And you will have your answer. But I will bet their first introduction to it wasn't through parents, or school, or bad upbringing etc. Their first introduction probably wasn't about making a bad choice either. Probably, what happened, is that they were hanging out with friends, friends who are drug free, but being at the wrong place and at the wrong time they were offered drugs. Together they didn't think it would be harmful, and thought they could handle it without getting addicted. They didn't think it was a big deal. Just like with kids who drink under age, or smoke under age. They don't think about why it would be a bad idea, they do it because it looks cool, and others do it so they don't want to feel left out.
Support your sister through this. There was nothing she could have done to prevent it other than living in an isolated environment for the rest of her kids life. People are introduced to drugs very often, some manage to say no, some manage to just try it a few times, but others aren't quite as lucky. You shouldn't ever judge them or look down upon them, because had it been you in their situation you'd probably have done just the same. The human mind isn't as "free thinking" and "responsible" as we'd like to imagine. We are quite driven by circumstances and peer pressure and take orders from those we deem to be our authorities.
The question of who gets addicted is also not about how much drugs you take. How fast your body gets addicted is determined by your genes. Some get addicted quite fast, others don't get addicted to anything. That's genetics. You can have 10 people try smoking marihuana two times and some will get addicted, others will not, and you wont be able to tell who will get addicted and who wont. Although studies do show that if your parents were addicted you will likely be easily addicted as well, to the same drug as your parents. And if you had an unstable upbringing your children will in return be more easily addicted to substances. This means that if your sister, and you too, had a traumatic childhood, that could help explain why her children easily became addicted to drugs. In that case you need to watch out for your own children as well, and explain that they could have the same genes and should be extra careful when handling drugs of any kind (alcohol and regular cigarettes as well).
A
male
reader, CaringGuy +, writes (24 November 2011):
There are many, many causes of children going off the rails, and you really can't pinpoint what they are unless you sit there and watch them all the time. As others have mentioned, it's most likely to be peer pressure, either at school or in the neighbourhood they live. Then there's also neglect/family, depression, and occasionally one or two children just go off the rails of their own accord.
From what you'd said, it's most likely a mixture of peer pressure/neighbourhood kids and a dysfunctional home.
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A
female
reader, fi_the_tree +, writes (24 November 2011):
 Send them on the Maury Show, that Dee West fella will sort them out...
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A
female
reader, person12345  +, writes (24 November 2011):
 There is no single cause. Addiction definitely has a genetic component though. So if someone in your immediate family has addiction problems, you should be extra cautious using those substances.
As for help, you should talk to your sister and ask her how you can help out. Let her know you're there for her and want to help and if she needs anything to come to you.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (24 November 2011): Well I think its their environment,mates, plus the pure feeling of hopelesness with the future, knowing unemployment is high,no route out,whatever the addiction it blocks out the here and now.
Kids need guidance from a strong adult,be shown there is a way out,a way to behave, sadly they don't appear to have had that.So they do as their mates do instead so they have a place in their world.
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A
female
reader, Starlights +, writes (24 November 2011):
 Hi there,
Have you tried talking to your sisters kids to find out what is the reason behind their addictions? This may be a good idea to find out the cause.
The cause can be due to many things from peer pressure & low self esteem.
Here is a good article on how you can help by the NHS:
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/addiction
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (24 November 2011): Neglect.
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