Teen Drug Abuse: The Warning Signs

Are you aware of drug abuse?

Teenage is the phase where most of the kids are eager to try new things and explore the world. Activities may incorporate both good and bad. These generation teens are eager to learn everything without knowing which is good and which is bad.

According to an NGO survey, about 13.1% of the teens are involved in drug and substance abuse in India. Hence drug abuse is a major life threat for a teenager. Utilizing drugs for a long-term might have a massive damage on a person both mentally and physically. As a parent, here is some information to help you identify and prevent teens from drug abuse.

Some Of The Facts About Teen Drug abuse-

• Apart from addiction frequent usage of the drug may lead to mental illnesses such as bipolar, schizophrenia, depression and insomnia.
• Commonly used drugs in India are cannabis, heroin, opium and hashish.
• 18-23 is the average age of teen in India who abuses drugs.
• Teens who abuse drugs are often practising with prescription drugs such as painkillers, tranquillizers and stimulants (excluding illegal drugs).
• 50% of all the road accidents that happen around the world involves drug either directly or indirectly.

Why Teens Abuse Drugs

There are many reasons why a teen abuses drug which may differ from person to person. Listed are some of the common reason why teens take drugs.

• Peer pressure-

A peer can mean a person or set of people who are with the same age, grade, or profession. Peer pressure is one of the most common reasons for first-timers to consume the drug. It influences the teen to adopt the behaviour that the person or the set of people tend to do. If friends or colleague force to you to take the drug you can't say no this is peer pressure.

• Role modelling-

According to a study, teens likely to develop the practice of drug from the experiences what they hear from their parents. The behaviour such as smoking, intaking drugs might highly turn their mind to imitate the same style. This influential behaviour might make a teen to become a long-term addict.

• Curious mind or wanting to experience

How will it feel like? What kind of essence does it contain? Curiosities like this might make them investigate and try it out.

Effects of drug abuse:

As outlined earlier it has a huge impact on both physical and mental health.

Physical Health-

• Drug abuse might frail the immune system and increases the susceptibility to infections.
• Causes irregular heart rate and make pounding to abnormal conditions.
• Weaken the veins and toxicate blood vessels and valves.
• Severe stomach pain, vomit and nausea.
• Cause liver failure or damage.  

Mental Health-

• Depression
• Aggressiveness
• Hallucinations
• Poor judgements
• Low self-esteem
• Sleep issues

Recognizing the warning signs of teen drug abuse-

• Problems at school (unreasonable lateness, poor grades, suspension and etc).
• Inconsistency mood and temperament.
• A drastic change in friends, appetite and sleep patterns.
• Breaking family rules and isolating from family.
• Poor judgement, hygiene or cleanliness, lack of confidence and irresponsible behaviour.
• Destructive or self-harm behaviour.
• Violating law, violating curfew, venturing crime, stealing.

If you are able to find these warning signs, then it is definitely a red flag.

Preventive strategies-

1. Talk to them-

   Explain to them about the consequences of teen drug abuse. Gradually use can turn into abuse, dependence and finally into addiction.

2. Explain the health risks-

   Tell them about the health hazards associated with drug abuse.

3. Reward their honesty-

   Approaching with a sense of concern and encourage them to speak about the issues. Plus, what makes them use the drug.

4. Focus on behaviour-

   Understand the difference between the behaviour and person. Drug use is a bad behaviour but it doesn't mean he/she is a bad person.

Helping Your Teen Seek Treatment

If you recognize any of the warning signs with your teen might be a known person who you care or it might be your adored one. Addictions need a professional help with a good set of treatments and therapies. Reach out Cadabam’s for evidence-based treatments and therapies, call us @ +91 97414 76476