The ManicaPost
TEENAGERS and young adults often experiment with a variety of activities and substances.
Unfortunately, this experimentation can lead to substance abuse and addiction.
Statistics show that drug abuse is a growing problem among young people.
Without treatment, the effects of drug abuse on teens can lead to serious consequences now and well into adulthood.
There are many symptoms of drug abuse, but some of the most common signs someone is abusing drugs are problems with the law, breaking curfew, stealing, problems at school such as excessive tardiness, poor grades, suspension, mood swings, loss of interest in favourite activities, drug paraphernalia, violent behaviour, withdrawal, depression, poor hygiene, missing money, among many others.
Drug abuse at any age can cause serious health effects, but teens and young people who abuse drugs are at particular risk for negative consequences.
Teens who abuse drugs are more likely to struggle with addiction later in life and have permanent and irreversible brain damage.
Some other common negative effects of drug abuse are:
Emotional problems
Drug abuse can cause or mask emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, suicidal thoughts and schizophrenia.
In fact, among young people with major depression, 34,6 percent report using drugs.
Unfortunately, drug use can also increase the severity of these emotional problems.
For example, people that use marijuana weekly double their risk of depression and anxiety.
Behavioural problems
Young people who abuse drugs have an increased risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and violence.
According to a recent survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, young people who abuse drugs are more likely than young people who do not abuse drugs to engage in delinquent behaviours such as fighting and stealing.
Addiction and dependence
Studies prove that the younger a person is when they begin using drugs the more likely they are to develop a substance abuse problem and relapse later in life.
Risky sex
Young people that use drugs are five times more likely to have sex than those who do not use drugs.
Those that use drugs are also more likely to have unprotected sex and have sex with a stranger.
This leads to higher risks of STDs, teen pregnancy and sexual assault.
Learning problems
Drug abuse damages short-term and long-term memory and can lead to problems with learning and memory later in life.
Diseases
Young people who abuse drugs with needles increase their risk of blood-borne diseases like HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis B and C.
Brain damage
Drug abuse among young people can result in serious mental disorders or permanent, irreversible damage to the brain or nervous system.
Brain damage among young people who abuse drugs includes brain shrinkage, impaired learning abilities, amnesia and memory problems, impaired reasoning, perception and intuition, increased or decreased socialization, and changes in sexual desire.
Car accidents
Young people who abuse drugs are more likely to be involved in car accident-related injuries or death.
If you know someone who is abusing drugs, do not wait to intervene.
The sooner they get help for drug abuse, the more likely they will be to avoid the long-lasting consequences. — casapalmera.com.
