However, in my opinion, adolescence is the place where addiction can take over one's existence and escape. High school and the early years of college are when we see most drug users and social drinkers increase their amount of recreational activities. Whether it's to impress your friends or prove to yourself that you can control your actions, addiction is slowly but surely creeping into individuals. During adolescence, peer pressure is a big problem; the struggle to be "the cool kid" in school or to impress that girl or boy you've had your eye on is all too real when it comes to doing "cutting edge" things. What kids in adolescence refuse to recognize is that while the euphoria or temporary high that comes from drinking and smoking might be worth the hangover or the morning after, this behavior is too risky for anything more of the simple future. Personally, I choose not to drink or take recreational drugs because I have experienced it second hand through my family. Their addiction has not only corrupted their lives as individuals, but has distanced the father from the children, the spouse from the wife, and the mother's children from her. I have a feeling that if their environment during adolescence had been more supportive and caring, their addiction would not have grown to the point it has led them to.