Peer Pressure Gone Viral, A Real Threat To Teens, Cites The New York Center For Living

NEW YORK, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Excessive use of social media may dramatically increase risky behavior among young adults and teens, and may be directly linked to alcohol and drug abuse.

A recent UCLA study reported that 66% of teens that were being treated for substance abuse disorders said they had the desire to abuse drugs after visiting their friends' pages on social media sites.

While peer pressure has a direct effect on a teen's likelihood of using alcohol and drugs, the impact of social media is much more dramatic.

"Social media is peer pressure gone viral," maintains Jill Backfield, Ph.D., Executive Director and Director of Clinical Services of New York Center For Living.

In fact, some statistics cite that young adults who are addicted to social media are three times more likely to abuse alcohol and two times more likely to abuse some kind of drugs.

When everyone is on Facebook, and the talk turns to partying or posting seemingly socially accepted photos of drinking and drugging, it increases the teen's fear of missing out, and very liking leads to experimentation and addiction.  The outlying reasons may be because teens that spend an excessive amount of time on these social media platforms are more likely to exhibit anti-social behavior, anxiety and depression.  

The New York Center For Living advises parents of teens at risk of becoming addicted to social media to be vigilant in checking Facebook pages with regularity and communicating to their teens about peers, behavior and risk factors.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK CENTER FOR LIVING

Family-focused treatment is the cornerstone of New York Center For Living's philosophy, empowering the whole family to take charge of their emotions without relying on substances or other destructive behaviors.

Headquartered in Manhattan, this abstinence-based, 12-step outpatient recovery center has enjoyed tremendous success treating adolescents and young adults, ages 13-26, who suffer from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders such as ADHD, depression, bi-polar disorder, overeating, cutting and others that complicate recovery from drugs and abuse.

For more information, visit www.centerforliving.org.

SOURCE New York Center For Living