ABSTRACT

Objective:

Recent literature in Turkey shows us there is a signifi cant increase in the frequency of substance use and an age reduction regarding the onset of substance use. Therefore, adolescents might be considered as a signifi cant risk group in substance abuse disorders. In this article, we aimed to discuss the effects of attachment style of the adolescent, parental attitude and social support on substance abuse.

Method:

Researches on attachment theory, attachment process, adolescent attachment, attachment style of adolescents diagnosed with substance abuse disorder, parenteral attitude of the parents of the adolescents and perceived social support of adolescents were reviewed by using ‘’Pubmed’’ and ‘’ScienceDirect’’ medical search engines.

Results:

Insecure attachment, authoritarian and inattentive attitudes of parents and low perceived social support might have a negative effect on adolescent substance abuse.

Discussion:

According to the results of this study, helping adolescents and their families by utilizing therapeutic and structured mental support program designed by mental health professionals might help adolescents form much more secure attachment relationships with others.