In a research study, 4,023 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years were interviewed by telephone about their own and their family members' substance use and their experiences of being victims of violence. Adolescents had a greater risk for substance abuse or dependence if they had been physically or sexually abused, or had family members with alcohol or drug-use problems. Physical Factors. An adolescent who tries a particular type of drug is more likely to use that substance again if he or she enjoys the drug's effects. If the drug produces unpleasant effects, trying it again is less likely. Once an adolescent tries a drug and likes it, other factors determine whether he or she will continue to use it. Tolerance and withdrawal are two of the most important factors. As the body becomes used to the effect of a drug, the person needs to take more of it to obtain the same effect. This is known as tolerance, and once tolerance to a drug develops, larger and larger doses are required. When the effect of a drug (such as heroin, nicotine, or caffeine) begins to wear off, the user may experience unpleasant symptoms. This is known as withdrawal. To avoid these withdrawal symptoms, a user may feel the need to take the drug on a regular basis. Social Life. The social and emotional needs of adolescents influence drug use. Teenagers looking for peer acceptance or wanting to appear "cool" might decide to try taking drugs, beginning a path toward continuing use. Teenagers also want to be seen more like adults, with the freedom to do what adults do. By using tobacco or alcohol—illegal for adolescents, yet both legal and socially acceptable for adults—the adolescent seeks an adult image. Adolescents are exposed to advertising on television and in magazines for beer, wine, and cigarettes that portrays drinking and smoking as desirable. They may want to emulate celebrities such as movie or pop stars who are seen smoking or drinking in the media. Once adolescents begin using drugs—for any of these reasons—they may find that they are unable to stop.

The physiological, psychological, and socioemotional risk factors associated with aging and alcohol abuse are varied and often complex. Older adults may not be aware that the interplay of one or more of these factors can precipitate alcohol use problems. In struggling to cope with later life issues, such as declining health, the loss of a spouse, and decreasing social support, many older adults may turn to alcohol. The consequences of this unhealthy coping mechanism can create problems with alcohol abuse or dependence, leaving many with the need to seek professional treatment.

By abusing drugs, the addicted teen has changed the way his or her brain works. Drug abuse and addiction lead to long-term changes in the brain. These changes cause addicted drug users to lose the ability to control their drug use.

Over the last ten years, cocaine, chemically altered into the form of crack, has become easily available to young people. Crack cocaine is sold in chunks or rocks for as little as five dollars for a small vial full. It is a smokable, less expensive, and more potent form of cocaine. Its effects reach the brain in just a few seconds. ." It is said that once crack is used two or three times, it is almost impossible to stop. The user feels like crack is as vital to survival as air, food, and water. Between 1994 and 1995 cocaine/crack use among teenagers increased 166 percent with 7.1 percent of high school seniors and 6.5 percent of sophomores using it. According to information from the Cocaine Hotline, 44 percent of adolescent cocaine/crack users have sold drugs to support their habit, 31 percent have stolen from friends and family, and 14 percent have attempted suicide.

Cocaine is brought into Wisconsin by Mexican drug trafficking organizations. Mexican DTOs transport large shipments of cocaine from the southwest border either through Chicago or to Milwaukee directly, hidden within shipments of legitimate goods in tractor-trailers.

Three types of organizations are responsible for the majority of the transportation and wholesale distribution of drugs in Wisconsin: Mexican drug trafficking organizations that transport cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine; Nigerian criminal groups that distribute Southwest Asian heroin; and Dominican criminal groups that distribute cocaine and South American heroin.

Both cocaine and crack are broadly available in Wisconsin.

Rising levels of heroin purity give users the option of snorting the drug rather than injecting, an option that may appeal to younger users in Wisconsin.

The availability of brown heroin remains low in Wisconsin, and black tar heroin is rare in Milwaukee.

Marijuana is the most easily available and most widely abused drug throughout Wisconsin.