Which risk factor applies to adolescent drug use?

• A. Misperception of peer norms
• B. Loss of positive body image
• C. Loss of parents
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Adolescent drug use is influenced by multiple risk factors that can operate at different levels of a young person’s life. When teens misperceive how many of their peers are using drugs, they may feel pressure to conform and engage in use to fit in, even if that behavior isn’t as common as they think. A loss of positive body image can hit self-esteem hard, pushing a teen toward substances as a coping mechanism or a way to feel better about themselves. Losing a parent—whether through death, separation, or absence—reduces supervision, emotional support, and protective guidance, which can heighten the opportunity and desire to experiment with drugs. Each of these factors raises risk on its own, so together they cover different pathways to substance use. That’s why all of the above is the best answer.