Substance Abuse in Teens Over 60 percent of teens report that drugs of some kind are kept, sold, and used at their high school. In a teen’s eye, high school is all about fitting in or being the popular one. Because of this, students succumb to peer pressure in the form of alcohol and drugs abuse. As more and more teens jump into the first years of high school, they are exposed to more social hazards. Almost 50 percent of high school seniors have abused a drug of some kind. The use of drugs and alcohol results in academic decline, physical disabilities, causes many strains between family and peers, and leads to delinquency. Prolonged drug use can further lead to serious legal problems. An addict is someone who has no control over their extreme desire to use a drug or consumes alcohol frequently (Dealing). Substance abusers can develop a physical addiction, a psychological addiction, or sometimes even both (Dealing). A person who is physically addicted to a drug or alcohol will need more drug for the same effect, and will experience physical symptoms if he or she attempts to stop or reduce consumption of the substance (Physical). The symptoms someone with a physical addiction undergoes when reducing substance abuse are known as withdraws (Physical). A psychological addiction is when someone is infatuated with the mental changes experience when using a substance (Physical). A person with a psychological addiction becomes emotionally dependent on the drug or the feeling they get when using the drug (Physical). Even after the abuser sees the physical harm the drug or alcohol is causing them, and the psychological harm it causes their family and friends, they continue to use the substance because of the psychological addiction they have developed with the along with the substance (Physical). A psychological addiction is also referred to as “all in their head” (Physical). Whether the addiction is physical or psychological, they can both be very harmful to the abuser, both are can potentially be very harmful. When an abuser is trying to overcome a psychological addiction willpower alone is often not enough to succeed (Physical).
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According to DARA Rehab Center” the symptoms of a psychological addiction include high anxiety, mental obsession with substance, mood swings, depression, restlessness, and loss of appetite” (Physical). When it comes to substance abuse most of the time the user will develop both a physical and psychological dependence (Physical). The addict will first develop a psychological dependence and this will lead them to further use the drug or alcohol until they become physically addicted to the substance (Physical). The development of an addiction or dependence on a substance can be created from many different factors (Addiction) . Many things can increase the likelihood of developing an addiction, things like gender, race, and geographical location can contribute to when and how teens begin substance abuse (Preventing). Once a teen has started using drug the development into an addiction can be greatly affected by the traits they inherit from their parents (Addiction). According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse “studies such as National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Formerly called National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, indicate that some children are already abusing drugs at age 12-13, which likely means some begin earlier (Preventing)." According to the Foundation for a Drug Free World, “In 2005 4.4 million teens ( 12-17 ) in the US admitted to taking prescription pain killers. The average age for the first time prescription drug abuser is now 13-14” (International). An addiction is not something to be taken lightly. It can be difficult to distinguish normal teen moodiness and disobedience from signs of drug abuse and addiction (Addiction). According to the researchers at Mayo Clinic the signs and symptoms of drug abuse or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug or severity of intoxication (Addiction). Some addicts have gained experience with hiding the extent of their problem with the addiction (Physical). In most cases friends or close peers are the most common people who first notice the changes in behaviors that arise from substance abuse and addiction (Physical). It is important to know and recognize the symptoms of drug abuse and addiction, it could potentially save a life. Some of the most common
According to DARA Rehab Center” the symptoms of a psychological addiction include high anxiety, mental obsession with substance, mood swings, depression, restlessness, and loss of appetite” (Physical). When it comes to substance abuse most of the time the user will develop both a physical and psychological dependence (Physical). The addict will first develop a psychological dependence and this will lead them to further use the drug or alcohol until they become physically addicted to the substance (Physical). The development of an addiction or dependence on a substance can be created from many different factors (Addiction) . Many things can increase the likelihood of developing an addiction, things like gender, race, and geographical location can contribute to when and how teens begin substance abuse (Preventing). Once a teen has started using drug the development into an addiction can be greatly affected by the traits they inherit from their parents (Addiction). According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse “studies such as National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Formerly called National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, indicate that some children are already abusing drugs at age 12-13, which likely means some begin earlier (Preventing)." According to the Foundation for a Drug Free World, “In 2005 4.4 million teens ( 12-17 ) in the US admitted to taking prescription pain killers. The average age for the first time prescription drug abuser is now 13-14” (International). An addiction is not something to be taken lightly. It can be difficult to distinguish normal teen moodiness and disobedience from signs of drug abuse and addiction (Addiction). According to the researchers at Mayo Clinic the signs and symptoms of drug abuse or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug or severity of intoxication (Addiction). Some addicts have gained experience with hiding the extent of their problem with the addiction (Physical). In most cases friends or close peers are the most common people who first notice the changes in behaviors that arise from substance abuse and addiction (Physical). It is important to know and recognize the symptoms of drug abuse and addiction, it could potentially save a life. Some of the most common