Teenage drug abuse has worsened over the years and continues to grow. Realization must be spread as it’s causing many severe problems, including suicides, health, and other issues. Instead of using drugs to avoid problems in life, learning how to deal with them is the right way. It might not be easy to stay strong during these challenging times, but helpful ways are available. All it takes is determination, patience, and support.
Check our list of symptoms to see if your drug use is getting out of control.
Key symptoms of drug abuse
Symptoms
- Spending extra time alone
- Missing curfew
- Common mood swings
- Severe anger issues
- Sleeping for too long or avoiding sleep
- Getting into trouble at school
- Missing classes or skipping school
- Achieving lower grades
- Losing or gaining weight rapidly
- Change in eating habits
- Poor hygiene
- Nosebleeds
- Losing interest in hobbies
- Having issues with family members and friends
- Low self-esteem
- Bloodshot eyes
- Lack of motivation
- Excessive fatigue
- Severe depression or anxiety
- Avoiding communication
- Changing friend groups
Drug abuse doesn’t just happen out of nowhere. It results from many genuine factors that affect teenagers.
Many reasons could lead to an unhealthy addiction, such as alcohol and drugs. Let us take a look at some potential reasons that could lead you to unhealthy dependence.
Reasons for drug abuse.
Peer pressure
Negative peers are available in every society, including schools, neighbourhoods, colleges, and workplaces. Fitting in with them can be a challenge. Out of misery, teenagers usually have to accept the offering and use drugs to become part of such groups leading to a constant addiction.
Curiosity and experimentation
Natural teenage curiosity and a desire to experiment can lead you to take a casual attitude toward drug abuse.
Anxiety
Teens deal with many things in their lives that cause anxiety, from going through hormonal changes to developing brains, setting high goals, achieving outstanding grades, keeping track of friendships and relationships, to becoming self-conscious and facing the future.
Depression
A few common factors can contribute to both teenage depression and anxiety. For example, being ridiculed for obesity, getting bullied, or feeling hopeless can all lead to feelings of depression. Additionally, having low self-esteem or being in a hostile environment can also cause anxiety.
Physical and sexual abuse
These two are one of the primary and most dangerous reasons for teenage drug abuse. The consequences include unwanted pregnancies, mental disorders, constant fear, and suicidal thoughts, eventually leading to drug addiction.
Commonly Abused Drugs
It has been reported that about 2.8 million teenagers nationwide have tried and gained an addiction to drugs in 2022. The most commonly abused drugs include:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Tobacco
- Nicotine
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Valium
- Opioid
- Prescription drugs
Drug abuse can cause a lot of problems in your life. Some of the problems you might face are listed here.
Complications
- Academic performance
- Weight loss
- Liver damage
- Seizures
- Strokes
- Brain damage
- Family issues
- Friendship problems
- Personality disorders
- Suicidal thoughts
- Suicide
Seeking Help for drug abuse
Once you realize your addiction and the threatening consequences of drug abuse, the only way to get rid of it is by seeking help and taking care of yourself. Several methods can help you notice and quit drugs permanently.
- Drug tests
Drug tests are available at many grocery stores, workplaces, pharmacies, and music festivals. At-home drug test kits can also be purchased; however, they aren’t usually accurate, so it’s advisable to get them done professionally.
- Discuss the issue with a trusted peer or family member
Talking about drug abuse is a very fragile topic and can be challenging to share. But discussing this problem and the reasons that caused it with someone trustworthy and supportive can make it easier. Letting out your feelings and experiencing encouragement can lighten the burden and help put you on the path to recovery.
- Professional help
If you feel your problem is severe, then it’s best to seek professional help. The professional treatment provides specific stages of recovery, including medications and behavioural therapy.
- Exercising
Working out, running and aerobics can help eliminate tension in the body and heal the physical and mental health issues caused by drug misuse. It can also help you express your pressure healthily.
- Changing your environment
Altering your environment can make a huge difference. Pushing negative friends and fellow drug addicts out of your life can help eliminate your chances of using drugs. You can become optimistic, and your anxiety and depression can be improved.
- Distract yourself
You can spend your spare time in fun and practical ways, like meditating, spending time with your family, making plans with your friends, reading books, and discovering enjoyable hobbies.
Only you have the ability to end your addiction. In order to to kick the habit, you have to take responsibility for your actions. It is common for people trying to overcome addictions to experience a relapse. But you should not get discouraged. You may be able to stay on track with the help of support groups and treatment centres.
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