How Does Drug Abuse Affect Youth?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Substance-abusing youth are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems , including depression, conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide.

How does drug abuse affect students?

Substance-abusing youth are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems , including depression, conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide.

How does drugs and alcohol affect youth?

Substance use can lead to long-term social and health problems, injury, and even death. Growth and development can be affected by tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Teens who use these substances may have trouble finding their identity, building relationship skills, and becoming emotionally stable .

What are the causes of drug abuse among youth?

  • Peer Pressure. ...
  • Self-Medication & Escape. ...
  • Performance Improvement. ...
  • Experimentation. ...
  • To Feel Grown Up.

How does substance abuse affect teenagers physically?

Physically, the brain and body are still developing during the adolescent years. Substance use slows the development of the prefrontal cortex , the area of the brain responsible for decision making. This can lead to increased impulsivity and poor decision making skills.

How do drugs affect the brain?

Drugs alter the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information . They do this by (1) imitating the brain’s natural chemical messengers, (2) by over-stimulating the “reward circuit” of the brain, (3) flooding the brain with excess chemicals, and (4) binding to receptors in the brain.

How do drugs affect the developing brain?

Drugs can also permanently change the brain’s prefrontal cortex . This area of the brain helps you think ahead, make smart decisions, interact with others in healthy ways and control yourself. When a teen uses certain drugs, their brain will fail to develop properly in these areas.

What are the causes and effect of drug abuse?

Drug abuse can affect several aspects of a person’s physical and psychological health. Certain drugs can lead to drowsiness and slow breathing , while others may cause insomnia, paranoia, or hallucinations. Chronic drug use is associated with cardiovascular, kidney, and liver disease.

What are the risk factors of drug abuse?

  • Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition. ...
  • Mental health disorder. ...
  • Peer pressure. ...
  • Lack of family involvement. ...
  • Early use. ...
  • Taking a highly addictive drug.

What are the causes of addiction to drugs?

  • Family history. ...
  • Mental health problems. ...
  • Adverse childhood experiences (ACE). ...
  • Social pressure. ...
  • Lack of family support or involvement. ...
  • Early use of drugs. ...
  • Use of drugs that are highly addictive.

What can you do to avoid substance abuse?

  1. Learn about dealing with caregiver stress, depression, and anxiety. ...
  2. Ask for and accept help with caregiving. ...
  3. Find positive ways to deal with your stress and limit caregiver overload.
  4. Take care of yourself by eating well, getting exercise, and getting regular check-ups.

What are some negative effects of substance use during adolescence?

Affect the growth and development of teens, especially brain development . Occur more frequently with other risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and dangerous driving. Contribute to the development of adult health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

What are positive effects of drugs?

Pleasure is an obvious part of drug use and the short-term physical benefits are well known. Drugs can produce a “high”, give people energy , make them feel good, reduce stress and aid sleep.

What do drugs do to your heart?

Health Consequences of Drug Misuse. Cardiovascular Effects. Studies have found that most drugs can have adverse cardiovascular effects, ranging from abnormal heart rate to heart attack. Smoking tobacco substantially increases the risk of heart disease, including stroke, heart attack, and vascular disease.

What are the side effects of drugs?

  • Constipation.
  • Skin rash or dermatitis.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Dizziness.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Headache.
  • Insomnia.

What were the four stages of addiction?

  • Stage 1: Experimentation. Very few people set out to become addicted. ...
  • Stage 2: Regular Use & Abuse. ...
  • Stage 3: Dependency & Tolerance. ...
  • Stage 4: Addiction. ...
  • Detox, Treatment & Recovery.
Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.