In the second lecture of its psychosocial series, psychologist Wael Youssef explained the psychological and social causes of smoking and drug use among teenagers, their effects, treatment and prevention.
Under the patronage of His Excellency Bishop Elie Bechara Haddad, Archbishop of the diocese, the psychology department of Metanoia Listening Center, in cooperation with the Family Committee, continued its series of psychosocial lectures. The second lecture took place at the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Abra, under the title "The Psychosocial Context of Smoking and Drugs." It was given by psychologist Wael Youssef, in the presence of the center's psychologists and the Family Committee.
Mr. Youssef began by explaining what tobacco and drugs contain, their types and the illnesses they cause. He then explained the psychological causes, such as tension and stress, and the social causes, such as anxiety, imitating adults, emotional shocks, the need to prove oneself, curiosity, heredity, lack of communication between parents and children, and bad company, among other reasons that push teenagers towards drugs.
He presented the illnesses that result from smoking and drug use, and gave a detailed explanation of ways to quit smoking and to prevent addiction, especially among teenagers, who are the most vulnerable. He also offered advice to parents to help them accompany their children, listen to them and encourage them to build trust, so as to reach safe ground – and not to hesitate to turn to specialists when they notice a change in someone's behavior, to help them with self-management and self-acceptance, better time management, and understanding their pain and feelings.
