Drug addiction is a real risk to Youth. Many Teenagers experiment with drugs and alcohol, some get inspired by their friends, some do it out of curiosity, some are introduced to drugs through prescription and then begin to use continuously, Some get inspired by movies and shows showing drug addicts andd abuse.
The Question Is Why Do They Do Drugs
To Relieve Stress
By using drugs teenagers feel stress free. They start using them as they can’t handle the stress and want to escape from the real world.
To Explore Their Curiosity
Teenage are the most prone to go in a wrong direction. The curiosity to explore new things in many cases leads to drug0 addictions.
To Do Better
In our competitive society, in which the pressure to perform well in academics and in other activities can be intense. Some teens may turn to certain drugs like illegal or prescription stimulants because they think those substances will enhance or improve their performance.
To Fit In
Some teens use drugs as they see their friends doing them and to fit in they start taking drugs in fear of not being accepted by the social circle. So they get inspired by them.
Signs That Shows A Teenager Is A Drug Addict
Changing a lot of friends, spending a lot of time alone, losing interest in favourite things, being very energetic and talking fast, or saying things that don’t make sense, having problems at school – missing class, bad grades, memory lapses, poor concentration, lack of coordination, slurred speech, lying, stealing, eating disorder(eat more or less than usual) being in a bad mood, mood swings, having problem in personal and family relationship, being really tired and sad etc are the signs that he/she is a drug addict.
Effects Of Drugs On Health
- Cocaine- It can cause heart attack, stroke and seizures
- Inhalants- Risk of damage to heart, lungs, liver and kidneys from long-term use.
- Ecstasy- It can cause liver failure and heart failure.
- Methamphetamine- Psychotic behaviors can come from long-term use or high doses.
- Electronic Cigarettes (vaping)- Exposure to harmful substances similar to exposure from cigarette smoking. It can lead to nicotine dependence.
- Opioids- It can cause respiratory distress or death from overdose.
- Marijuana- Risk of impairment in memory, learning, problem solving, and concentration. Also can lead to hallucinations, schizophrenia, or paranoia later due to long-term use.
I Want To Become Good Better Best In Life
What Can Parents Do To Prevent Their Children From Drug Addiction?
Show Interest In Their Ups & Downs
Mostly teens and youngsters start using drugs when they feel lost and depressed. You can make them comfortable by talking about their lives and giving them support and advice needed. Good communication between you and your child will make them open about everything. So if they are going wrong somewhere, you can help them by giving advice.
Know Your Teen’s Friends
If their friends are using drugs, then your child is most likely to try them too. So if you find anything like that warn your child that if you want to be friends with them they cannot adopt their habits of drug and alcohol or else they will not be allowed to be friends with them.
Acknowledge Them About Drugs
They should have knowledge about what drugs can do to their phusical and mental health. Talk about it and tell them the consequences of the drugs and also set rules that they are not allowed to use them if they did they will have to suffer consequences.
Moral Support
If you find out that your teen is in addicted to drugs. Don’t start yelling at him/her. Make him/her understand that this is not right and you have to understand that having these habits doesn’t make your child a bad person. It is a phase and you can only bring him out from this. So help him/her with your moral support instead of abandoning them or scolding them . Make they willing to stop the use of drugs.
Get Professional Help
If you find out your teen is involved in drug use then you should contact a doctor, counselor or other health care provider for help.
