Adolescence and Drug Abuse: Consequences, Prevention

Almost 70% of high school seniors have tried alcohol, 50% have used illegal drugs, and more than 20% have used a prescription drug for a non-medical reason. According to research, this is when the majority of people begin abusing drugs and alcohol. Learn more about adolescent substance abuse and why teen drug and alcohol abuse can lead to problems later in life.

Keyterms: Drugs, Alcohol, Addiction, Heroin, Brain, Dopamine, Tolerance, Cocain, Crac, Ecstasy, Marijuana, Opiates

Read Also: Difference Between Adolescence and Puberty

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Drug Addiction

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Addiction is a chronic, interrupting brain disorder that affects one out of every ten youths. When a substance is used repeatedly, whether it is a prescription drug or a street drug like heroin, the body becomes physically and psychologically dependent on that substance. Most drugs cause a surge of dopamine in the brain, resulting in a pleasurable, high sensation. Tolerance develops as use continues, and the brain becomes unable to develop its state of happiness without a drug hit.

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Types of Drugs

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The effects of illicit drugs and the symptoms they cause in their users vary significantly. What they all have in common is a high-risk factor, as each of these drugs has been deemed too dangerous and addictive to the adolescent and the person addicted to it.

• Cocaine is one of the most abused stimulant drugs. Cocaine is highly addictive, resulting in thousands of emergency room visits each year.
• Crack is a more potent form of cocaine, crack poses serious health risks such as lung trauma, addiction, and overdose. This drug is smoked, giving users a short-term high.
• Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is a stimulant drug that distorts one's sense of space and time. After years of ecstasy abuse, the brain will need months, if not years, to rebalance its chemicals.
• Heroin is one of the most abused and lethal illicit drugs in the United States. Heroin has the potential to cause serious health problems, including overdose and death.
• Marijuana is legal in some states, the risks of long-term marijuana use are significant. Mental illnesses such as depression, as well as physical dependence and addiction, can occur in users. 
• Opiates are both naturally occurring opiates (such as heroin) and their synthetic counterparts (opioids) are dangerous.

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Why is there a rise in adolescent drug abuse?

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• Due to the Social Environment

Teens are more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol if their peers or friends are also doing so.

• Drug accessibility

Adolescents are more likely to experiment with drugs if they have easy access to them.

• The family Environment

Domestic violence, abuse, mental health illnesses, and drug use all increase the likelihood that an adolescent will experiment with drugs and alcohol.

Adolescents are much more likely than adults to hide their drugs and alcohol use from loved ones. Because they have a shorter history of use, they are also less likely to exhibit signs of teen drug abuse.

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Symptoms of Adolescent Drug or Alcohol Abuse

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• Loss of enthusiasm for school and hobbies
• Unwillingness to explain personal finances and a sudden need for more money
• Withdrawal from family and friends, as well as a strong desire to be alone
• Change in Social connections.
• Changes in personality or behavior
• Failure to respond to communication
• Frequent breaking rules, particularly curfew violations.

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Consequences of Adolescent Substance Abuse

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• Problems with schoolwork Relationship issues
• Loss of enthusiasm for normal, healthy activities
• Memory and thinking skills are impaired.
• The risk of contracting an infectious disease has increased.
• Problems with mental health, including substance abuse disorders
• Chances of engaging in risky sexual activities
• Overdose
• Death

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When Should You Seek Addiction Treatment?

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If you are unable to stop using or are experiencing abuse drug symptoms when you are trying to reduce your dosage, you should seek treatment for your addiction as soon as possible. Withdrawal episodes are caused by growing chemical imbalances in the brain, which eventually disrupt the brain's ability to keep the body's systems functioning normally.

While withdrawal symptoms vary according to alcohol and drug use, as well as drug to drug, the following are some of the most common:

• Excessive sweating
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early
• Depressive feelings
• Anxiety attacks
• Muscle aches due to hypersensitivity to light, sounds, and touch
• Confusion in thinking
• Cravings

The longer a person abuses drugs and alcohol, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms become and the more frequently they occur. In addition, if you have experienced any significant health problems as a result of your use, you should seek medical attention immediately.

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Treatment Options for Drug Addiction

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Detoxification Treatment

Detox treatment gives you the tools you need to stop abusing drugs or alcohol. Typically, this treatment includes :

• Around-the-clock care and monitoring
• Counseling
• Groups of support
• Medication treatments

This treatment is not mandatory for all patients. People with a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as chronic users, will almost certainly require professional detox treatment.

Treatment in a Hospital

Long-term drug and alcohol addictions frequently result in poor physical health, with many also suffering from severe psychological disorders. Inpatient care is highly recommended for the majority of people because it allows therapists to work intensively on personal issues while knowing the patient will not return home and relapse.

Treatment in the Community

Outpatient treatment programs provide the flexibility you will need. If you are in the initial stages of drug or alcohol addiction and still have work and family responsibilities. They take longer to complete because therapists work at a slower pace and see patients only a few times per week. Services that may be provided include:

• Counseling and education about drugs
• Individual psychotherapy is available.
• Therapeutic group therapy
• Family therapy
• Group support

Programs for Sober Living

Going from a treatment program to regular, everyday life can be risky for people recovering from severe drug and alcohol addiction because of the pressures and temptations that daily life brings. Therapy programs can help with treating underlying mental health issues as well as identifying relapse prevention strategies.

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Things to Remember

• Addiction is defined as a psychological attachment to the effects of drugs and alcohol, such as euphoria and a brief sense of well-being.
• Adolescence is marked by several biological and behavioral changes.
• Curiosity, a desire for adventure and excitement, and experimentation are all common motivators for young people to use drugs and alcohol.
• The tolerance level of the receptors present in our body increases with repeated drug use, and as a result, the receptors respond only to higher doses of drugs or alcohol, leading to increased intake and addiction.
• When a regular dose of drugs/alcohol is abruptly discontinued, the body exhibits a distinct and unpleasant withdrawal syndrome.
• Anxiety, shakiness, nausea, and sweating are all symptoms of withdrawal syndrome.