Adolescents can be involved in various ways with alcohol and legal or illegal drugs. It is common to experiment with alcohol and drugs during adolescence. Unfortunately, adolescents often do not see the relationship between their actions today and the consequences of tomorrow. They have a tendency to feel indestructible and immune towards problems that others experience. Using alcohol or tobacco at a young age increases the risk of using other drugs later. Some teens experiment a bit and stop using them, or continue to use them occasionally without significant problems. Others will develop a dependency, use more dangerous drugs, and cause significant harm to themselves and possibly others.
Adolescence is the time to try new things. Adolescents use alcohol and other drugs for various reasons, including curiosity, to feel good, to reduce stress, to feel like grown-ups, or to belong to a group. It is difficult to determine which of the adolescents will develop serious problems. Adolescents who are at risk for serious drug and alcohol problems include those:
- with a family history of substance abuse,
- who are depressed,
- who feel little self-esteem or self-esteem, and
- that they feel they don't belong and that they are out of the ordinary.
Teenagers abuse a variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. Available legal drugs include alcoholic beverages, prescription drugs, inhalants (pegasus fumes, sprays, and solvents), and over-the-counter cough, flu, insomnia, and weight loss medications. The most commonly used illegal drugs are marijuana (pot), stimulants (cocaine, “crack” and “speed”), LSD, PCP, opium derivatives, heroin, and designer drugs (ecstasy). The use of illegal drugs is on the rise, especially among young people or adolescents. The average age of first-time marijuana users is 14, and alcohol use can begin before 12. Marijuana and alcohol use in high school has become common.
Drug use is associated with a variety of negative consequences, including increased risk of serious drug use later in life, school failure, poor judgment that can expose adolescents to the risk of accidents, violence, unplanned and unsafe sex, and suicide. Parents can help in early education about drugs, establishing communication, being a role model, and recognizing from the beginning if problems are developing.
The main signs of alcohol use and drug abuse by teens may include:
- Physical: fatigue, ongoing complaints about your health, red and dull eyes, and a persistent cough.
- Emotional: personality changes, rapid mood swings, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem or self-esteem, poor judgment, depression, and a general lack of interest.
- Family: starting arguments, breaking rules, withdrawing or stopping communicating with family.
- School: decreasing interest, negative attitude, lack of duty, low grades, frequent absences and discipline problems.
- Social problems: new friends who are not interested in the normal activities of home and school, problems with the law and the shift towards unconventional styles in clothing and music.
Some of these warning signs may also be indicative of other problems. Parents can recognize the signs of trouble but are not expected to make the diagnosis. An effective way for parents to show their concern and affection for the adolescent is to frankly discuss with the adolescent the use and abuse of alcoholic beverages and other drugs.
The first step that parents should take is to consult with a doctor to be sure that the warning signs they discover do not have physical causes. This should be accompanied or followed by a comprehensive evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
For additional information you can obtain "Information for the Family": # 4 The depressed child, # 17 The children of alcoholics and # 33 Behavioral disorders.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) represents over 6,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists (child psychiatrists) who are physicians with at least five years of additional training in general (adult) psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry ( child psychiatry) after completing his medical degree.
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