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Teen Drugs and Health
Teenagers can get involved in legal or illegal drugs in many ways. Experimenting with drugs during adolescence has become common. Many teenagers fail to see the link between their actions and consequences tomorrow.
The use of alcohol and tobacco at a young age increases the risk of using other drugs later. Some teens just experiment and stop, and continue to use them occasionally, without many problems. Others could develop some kind of a dependency to move on to many dangerous drugs that can cause significant damage to them and the others.
Teens use drugs for various reasons, like curiosity, because it feels good, and also to reduce stress. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems.
Teenagers face serious alcohol and drug problems when:
- They have a family history of substance abuseThey are depressed
- They have low self-esteem
- They feel out of place from the mainstream
- Teenagers who smoke are more likely to consume alcohol, and use other drugs. Smoking is also connected to other behaviors, like fighting and engaging in unsafe sex.
- Many teenagers engage in huffing, sniffing and wanging of drugs, which is a very dangerous habit. This can cause serious respiratory problems and sometimes permanent brain damage.
- Around half of the population in the United States had used marijuana, many are still using it. people who use it repeatedly need treatment for its abuse and dependence.
- There are many possible long-term effects including tolerance and dependence, violence and aggression. Malnutrition can cause the suppression of appetite.
- This term refers to the drugs used by teens at night clubs. These drugs GHB, Rohypnol (Rophies), ketamine, methamphetamine, and LSD are the club or party drugs becoming popular. Many club drugs get misused because they are colorless, tasteless, and odorless. They can be added to beverages by individuals who want to intoxicate or sedate others.
- These drugs can medicinally relieve anxiety, tension and irritability. There high potential for abuse and, combined with alcohol, effects are heightened and risks have multiplied.
The use of drugs is increasing, among young teen. The age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age 12. The use of alcohol and drugs in high school has become very common.
Drug use has many negative consequences, like the risk of serious drug use in life, failure to perform in school and poor judgment. This puts the teens at risk for accidents, violence, unsafe sex, and also suicide.