Teens who abuse drugs may have a greater risk of developing an addiction when they are adults. Recognition and prevention of drug use can end an emerging problem before it starts.
Drug Experimentation
Half of all new drug users are under the age of 18. Experimentation plays the biggest role in teenage drug use. However, experimentation is a fact of life and just because a teen has tried drugs or alcohol doesn’t mean they will become an addict. It’s more important to understand why some teens are tempted to experiment.
Common reasons teens abuse drugs include:
Common reasons teens abuse drugs include:
- Curiosity
- Peer pressure
- Stress
- Emotional struggles
- A desire to escape
Signs of Drug Abuse
There are many signs that a teen is using drugs. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the pangs of adolescence and actual drug use, but parents can be proactive in talking to their teen to find out what’s going on.
Some common signs of teen drug abuse include:
It’s up to parents to initiate a conversation with their children if they suspect drug use. One in five parents who suspect their teen is using drugs do not intervene to prevent further drug use.
Some common signs of teen drug abuse include:
- Bad grades
- Bloodshot eyes
- Laughing for no reason
- Loss of interest in activities
- Poor hygiene
- Diminished personal appearance
- Avoiding eye contact
- Frequent hunger or “munchies”
- Smell of smoke on breath or clothes
- Secretive behavior
- Unusual tiredness
- Missing curfew
It’s up to parents to initiate a conversation with their children if they suspect drug use. One in five parents who suspect their teen is using drugs do not intervene to prevent further drug use.
Common Drugs that Teens Abuse
Alcohol
Alcohol is the substance most commonly abused by teens. The social acceptance of drinking among people of legal drinking age can lead many teens to view alcohol as relatively harmless. Research suggests teens are more likely to binge drink because their impulse control hasn't fully developed. Binge drinking increases the risk of addiction in people of any age, and the teenage brain is more susceptible to addiction. Talking to teens about theses risks can curb underage drinking. |
Marijuana
Regular marijuana users most often started during their adolescence. The perceptions of marijuana use among teens is changing; most high school seniors do not think smoking marijuana occasionally carries any risk. More than 20 percent of teens report having used marijuana at least once in the past month. |
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
Many prescription drugs have intoxicating effects, and this is no secret to most teens. Narcotic painkillers like OxyContin and benzodiazepines like Xanax produce pleasurable effects that teens may seek out. These substances have high addictive potential and a risk of overdose. Teens may also abuse over-the-counter medications. The substance dextromethorphan (DXM), a cough suppressing substance, is found in many common cold and flu medicines. DXM can cause intoxicating effects in high doses, and an overdose is a real possibility. |