What are the Hazards of Substance Use for Teenagers?

2.08 million, or 8.33 percent, of 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States reportedly use drugs daily. Among them, 83.88 percent use marijuana, and 591,000 teens aged 12 to 17 take any illicit drug other than marijuana. The given stats are proof that teens in the US are abusing drugs at a high rate without knowing about the negative outcomes. Substance misuse leads to the development of several addictions during teenage. Adolescent users are at a higher risk of addiction since their brains are still developing. Parents of teenagers should be vigilant and keep their eyes peeled for any early signs of addiction. Here are 5 severe hazards of substance use for teenagers.

• Poor academic performance

Students who get into the habit of doing drugs will show a decreased interest and a poor result in academics. The grades will start to fall and performance in school will become poor enough that teachers and peers will have to take notice. Drugs and other addictive substances make the mind foggy and make retaining any new information almost impossible. The poor academic performance will lead to them either having been expelled or dropping out of school. 

• Poor physical health

Substance abuse can destroy both mental and physical health. Accidental injuries such as car crashes, physical disabilities and diseases, and the effects of probable overdoses are among the health-related repercussions of teenage substance abuse. A disproportionate number of young people who use alcohol and other drugs have an elevated risk of mortality by suicide, homicide, accident, or sickness. Physically teens become lazy and drowsy, when under the influence. They will lose interest in outdoor activities and sports. 

• Increased risk of developing mental health disorders

Depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and other psychosocial dysfunctions are typically associated with teenage substance addiction. Substance-abusing adolescents are more likely than nonusers to experience mental health problems such as depression, conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, and suicide. Marijuana use, which is common among teenagers, has been proven to impair short-term memory, learning, and psychomotor skills. Teens who are addicted to any illicit drug will show risky behaviors and do things without worrying about the consequences. Teens with addiction will start to lose themselves and will not be able to have a good memory of events happening around them.

• Loneliness

An addicted teenager is likely to be cut off from any physical contact. They would rather smoke or drink in their room than go and hang around with friends. An addicted teen would not go to parties and other social gatherings. They would avoid people at any costs, not realizing that cutting people off is not the answer. There will come a point in life that there will be no one around them. Teens who abuse illicit drugs are frequently isolated and stigmatized by their peers. Adolescents who use alcohol or other drugs frequently drop out of school and community activities, depriving their peers and communities of the valuable contributions they may have made. An addict likes loneliness without realizing how dangerous being alone can be. 

• Delinquency

A healthy and sharp mind will have healthy thoughts, while a groggy and overdosed on drugs mind will have negative thoughts. Substance abuse during teenage and delinquency are inextricably linked. Arrest, adjudication, and intervention by the juvenile justice system are all possible outcomes for many young people who use alcohol or other drugs. It cannot be stated that substance abuse generates delinquent behavior or that delinquency leads to substance abuse. However, the two activities are intimately linked and frequently result in school and family issues, involvement with undesirable peer groups, and a lack of social controls in the area.

In a nutshell…

Substance use can destroy lives. Yours and of the people who are around you. Substance use at any point is dangerous and harmful to health. Not only that, it leads to no good in life. Therefore, teens who are developing the habit of being in the presence of teens who take illicit drugs and drink often, should try and change their company. Before something bad happens. With the ever-rising increase in drug abuse in teens, parents should keep an extra eye on the activity of their kids, who they socialize with, and what their after-school activities are. Depression, suicidal thoughts, and depleting health are just some of the hazards of substance use for teenagers. Save your teenagers and make them healthy and responsible adults.