| Abstract [eng] |
Drugs are considered a social “evil” and a major problem in today’s world. In this context, substance abuse among young people is often highlighted, with an emphasis on the risks and consequences of such behavior. However, some researchers point out that drug use can be not only a risk factor but also a meaningful social practice that contributes to the formation of a young person’s self-concept. Therefore, using a qualitative research method, this master’s thesis sought to examine the phenomenon of drug use among young people in Lithuania in relation to the development of self-perception. During the empirical study, 14 biographical interviews were conducted with youth who have been using or have used drugs for an extended period of time. The results revealed that young people make sense of themselves and their substance use experiences by identifying with their peer group, youth culture, the views of those around them, and their roles as students, employees, family members, or parents. In such cases, drug use sometimes becomes an important basis for self-perception and self-expression, as young people constantly create and rethink the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Accordingly, the meaning attributed to drug use among young people and their self-perception as drug users are the result of a flexible, dynamic, and contextual process in which individual experiences, socio-cultural interactions, and the environment play a significant role. |
