Susan M. Gordon

Teenage drug abuse can be traced to several risk factors, Susan M. Gordon asserts in the following viewpoint. According to Gordon, these factors include teenagers’ psychological and genetic makeup, their performance at school, and their level of spirituality. In addition, Gordon argues, adolescents whose families and peers use drugs and alcohol are more likely to become addicted. She concludes that these factors are interconnected and that such interconnections can complicate prevention and treatment efforts. Gordon is the director of research and professional training at the Caron Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing a caring and enlightened treatment community.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are some of the psychological symptoms associated with substance abuse, according to the author?
2. Which theories have been offered to explain why drug abuse may be a...