Teenagers and Addiction: How Addiction Affects Teenagers
Most people try drugs and alcohol for the first time when they are teens or early adolescents. This makes drug and alcohol abuse a very serious problem. At this age, teens are still learning how to live and getting to know the world and themselves, and their minds and bodies are still growing. Using drugs and alcohol over and over again can have a significant effect on their overall growth and path in life.
A study conducted in India reveals that out of 416 students, 52 (12.5%) used or abused any one of the substances irrespective of time and frequency in their lifetime; 26 (15.1%) were among the urban students, and 26 (10.7%) were among their rural counterparts. More than two-thirds (73.07%) of the respondents expressed a desire to quit substance use, and 57.69% had tried to stop.
‘Easy availability’ and ‘relief from tension’ were the most frequent reasons for the continuation of substance use.
Rising Drug Use Among Adolescents
As society changes, drug abuse is likely to rise in the next decade, especially among 10- to 17-year-olds, according to preliminary findings of an ongoing study released Wednesday.
The independent think tank Think Change Forum found that mental health issues, performance pressure, growing emptiness, and changing socio-economic conditions are most affecting this impressionable age group, making them vulnerable to addictive distractions.
The study found that glamorising intoxication and addictive substances were the first significant trends driving substance abuse in India.
Modern media heroes and heroines glamourize intoxication. In movies and TV shows, these role models engage in such behaviour. The message is that these activities are acceptable and desirable.
Second, e-cigarettes and vaping products are increasing drug use.
International e-cigarette companies use marketing hype to claim that electronic device-based heated tobacco and vaping products are safer than cigarettes and help de-addiction.
The third trend driving substance abuse is rising mental health issues due to performance pressures and emptiness, making children more vulnerable.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, children have experienced a growing sense of emptiness and isolation, which has resulted in an increase in adventurous behaviour and experimentation with substances that they should otherwise avoid,” says Rajeshwari Luther, counselling psychologist at Hope Trust.
The best defence against this menace is education. Millions of teachers need substance abuse education. Parents need to be educated because they don’t know the harm it’s doing to their kids,” Rajeshwari said.
Signs That a Teenager Is Addicted
Teenagers who use drugs and alcohol try them out first. This doesn’t mean that all of them will become addicts or alcoholics. If you or your teen child thinks they might have a substance use disorder, it’s essential to know the signs, risk factors, and substances that are most likely to be abused, which can be life-threatening.
The following are some signs and symptoms that could mean:
- Loss of interest in school or extracurricular activities
- Decline in academic performance
- Change in attitude
- Sneaking out, stealing money, or denying alcohol or drug use
- A decline in appearance or grooming
- Acting defensively or lying
Adolescents’ Favourite Drugs
Alcohol
Alcohol, the most commonly used drug among teenagers, can appear to be enjoyable and harmless. However, studies show that impulsive behaviour increases after binge drinking. This leads to more binge-drinking episodes.
Marijuana
According to surveys, one in every six people begins using marijuana as a teen, and 25% to 50% of those who use it become addicted to it.
Prescription Medicine
In 2017, one in every seven teens polled admitted to taking a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription.
Tobacco
Teenage vaping has become extremely popular among teenagers and adolescents in recent years. In 2019, approximately 12 out of every 100 middle school students and around 31 out of every 100 high school students reported current tobacco product use. In 2019, nearly one out of every four middle school students and more than half of high school students said they were using a tobacco product.
The Effects of Adolescent Drug Use on the Brain
Scientists specialising in youth and health development have discovered that drastic physical and intellectual development spurts occur during adolescence. Some brain functions develop at breakneck speed in children as their brains develop.
Adolescents go through biological and psychological changes, and drug use can harm them. Young people who use drugs are much more likely to become addicted. They are far more vulnerable to the powerful mood- and mind-altering properties of drugs and alcohol because their brains are still developing.
Adolescence is critical for cognitive function and development. Maintaining a strict standard of healthy behaviour during a person’s younger years is vital. Moderate to severe drug use can impair the brain’s ability to work in the short term, as well as prevent adequate growth and development later in life. Teens who use drugs will disrupt their neurotransmitters by damaging brain connections. They will also lose their ability to enjoy pleasure when they are not under the influence of drugs. Memory problems are relatively common, and they impede the development of perceptual abilities.
Adolescent Addiction Risk Factors
Being a teen is difficult, especially in today’s media-overloaded and highly competitive world. A teenager experiences a variety of physical and mental changes occur. While most adolescents begin experimenting with alcohol and drugs at a young age, mood swings, rebellion, and several other risk factors can also contribute to more severe substance use and misuse. Here are some examples:
Peer Influence
To comply with peer pressure, fit in, and experience peer acceptance, some teenagers turn to drugs or alcohol. Some adolescents may turn to substances as a quick way to make friends or as a way to avoid being left out.
Trauma and Family
Teens who have been traumatised, abused, or have had difficult experiences early in life are more likely to struggle with drugs and alcohol. Young people are also more vulnerable than other adolescents if their family members have struggled with addiction, their mother used drugs or alcohol while pregnant, or they have not had the guidance of a parent or guardian.
LifeTransitions
Significant life transitions, such as moving, puberty, divorce, changing schools, or illness and death, can all contribute to adolescent substance use as a coping skill.
Co-occurring Disorders
Some adolescents will use mind-altering substances to cope with an underlying mental health problem that may exist, such as:
Signs Your Adolescent May Have a Substance Use Disorder
Recognising the signs and preventing substance use disorder can help you stop your adolescent’s addiction before it progresses. There are signs you can look for as a parent, guardian, teacher, or any other influential adult in a teenager’s life that may indicate involvement with alcohol or drugs. Here are some of the most common warning signs of drug use:
- Poor classroom behaviour or social skills
- Academic failure
- Association with the wrong crowd
- Change in eating or sleeping habits
- Loss of interest in favourite activities
Adolescent Addiction Treatment
Nobody who is struggling with a substance use disorder should have to face their problems alone. This is especially true when it comes to adolescent drug use. Adolescents require specialised care that differs from that provided to adults. Young people must learn not only how to overcome their drug use issues but also how to live their lives without the use of substances. They must also learn essential life skills that many adults already know.
If you are a teen who is using drugs and suspects you may have a problem, you must seek help from a parent, teacher, school counsellor, or professional. If you are the parent of an adolescent who is using or misusing drugs, the first step is to contact a therapist or an addiction treatment provider. You can start with online consultations if your teen is hesitant to visit a counsellor physically.
If you see warning signs of teen drug use, you can help your teen by contacting a treatment provider. Do not attempt to do this on your own. There is assistance available.
Click www.hopetrustindia.com to book an instant online appointment with a therapist.