Substance Abuse In Adolescence: Reasons And Effects.
Substance Abuse can also be called drug abuse. This can be defined as usage harmful substances. Drug abuse is a serious issue that affects individuals of all ages, but it is particularly prevalent among adolescents. The individual either uses a significant amount of the substance or uses harmful methods to ingest the substance. These substances are usually heroin, cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes and other tobacco products. In today’s society many adolescences fall prey to substance abuse. This can lead to a variety of negative consequences, both for the individual and for their families. A teenager who suffers with substance abuse would have frequent changes in behaviour such as failure to attend school, a decrease in their grades, unable to concentrate or focus on their studies and depression. These changes can be subtle at first, but they can quickly become more pronounced over time. It is harder to recognize drug abuse in teenagers than adults. Teenagers may be more secretive about their drug use than adults, and they may be more likely to deny that they have a problem. Most teenagers are very secretive towards their parents as well as dishonest therefore, they require closer observations to tell if they are using drugs or not. Parents and other adults who care about teenagers need to be vigilant and look for signs of drug use. Monitoring their grades as well as behaviours at home can be more helpful. If you notice any changes in your teenager’s behavior, it is important to talk to them about it. If they become withdrawn from family as well as friends or experience sudden outbursts, this can be as a sign of substance abuse. It is important to remember that substance abuse is a treatable condition, and there is help available for teenagers who are struggling with it. Some teenagers also turn to drug abuse because they live in a toxic household. This can create a cycle of abuse, as teenagers who are exposed to drug use at home are more likely to use drugs themselves.
Substance abuse social workers work with individuals work with individuals’ mental conditions and/or addictions. They are trained to help people who are struggling with a variety of issues, including substance abuse. Social workers are knowledgeable of human systems are therefore they would be able to help someone who is suffering from substance abuse. They can provide therapy, case management, and other support services to help individuals recover from addiction. Trained social workers provide therapy for the teenager as well as become a case manager. They will work with the teenager to develop a treatment plan and help them to stay on track with their recovery. They uncover problems that the individual may want to erase and fix them with effective solutions. This can involve addressing underlying issues such as trauma, mental health disorders, or relationship problems. Sometimes adolescence’s addiction goes unnoticed in populations that are unaware of the dangers of substance abuse or uneducated when deciphering what is wrong from right. It is important to educate people about the risks of substance abuse and to provide them with the resources they need to help themselves or their loved ones. However, social work can be a part of the solution and a road to recovery because they would be able to easily detect the teen’s disorder as they were trained to do so. Social workers can play a vital role in helping teenagers who are struggling with substance abuse to get the help they need. When dealing with teenagers, the social worker must be actively involved in their life because without long-term intervention a relapse would most definitely occur, and this would diminish any progress that was made. This means providing ongoing support and encouragement, as well as helping the teenager to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to involvement in substance abuse due to the underdeveloped state of their brain, which can lead to the inability to make proper decisions on their own. Their brains are still developing, and they are more likely to take risks than adults. Understanding the causes of adolescent substance use is vital for successful prevention and intervention programs. There are many factors that can contribute to adolescent substance use, including peer pressure, family history of addiction, and mental health problems. There are many contributing factors as to why adolescence would partake in drugs or alcohol. Some teenagers may experiment with drugs out of curiosity, while others may use drugs to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression. Many teenagers use drugs simply because their friends are doing. Peer pressure can be a powerful influence on teenagers, and they may feel like they need to use drugs in order to fit in. Some willingly use drugs or alcohol while others are pressured to do so and are seen as uncool if they refuse to do so. This can create a dangerous cycle, as teenagers who use drugs may be more likely to be pressured to use drugs again in the future. Others do it to get a good feeling about themselves. Drugs can temporarily alter brain chemistry, producing feelings of pleasure and euphoria. However, these effects are short-lived and can lead to addiction. When an individual uses drugs it reacts with the neurochemistry of the brain to produce feelings of pleasure. The intensity of this pleasure differs by the type of drug and how it is used. Teenagers who suffer from depression, anxiety disorders use drugs in order to help them feel better. They may believe that drugs will help them to cope with their symptoms, but this is often a temporary solution that can make the problem worse in the long run. The drug would uplift their mood or help them become calm whenever they feel anxious or stressed. However, drug use can actually worsen anxiety and depression in the long term. Stress plays a significant role in the continuation of drugs as well as having a relapse. When teenagers are under stress, they may be more likely to turn to drugs as a way to cope.
Adolescence who enrolled in school sometimes fall prey to substance abuse. The academic pressures of school can be overwhelming for some teenagers, and they may turn to drugs to help them cope. We live in a very competitive society, so some students feel pressured to be successful. This can lead to stress and anxiety, which may make teenagers more vulnerable to substance abuse. Some adolescents turn to certain drugs that are illegal or stimulants because they think those substances will help them perform better in exams. However, drug use can actually impair cognitive function and make it more difficult to study and learn. After using drugs for a period of time to study they are often unable to continue their studies without drugs. This can lead to a vicious cycle of dependence, where teenagers need drugs to function academically. At a certain age, an adolescent also feels the need to experiment and they often believe drugs to be an exciting or a daring experience. This is a normal part of adolescence, but it is important for teenagers to be educated about the risks of drug use. A very common cause is genetic predisposition. If a teenager has a family history of substance abuse, they are more likely to develop a substance use disorder themselves. A family who has a history of substance abuse or alcoholism increases the risk of influencing teenagers as they think it is okay to use drugs because they saw their older relatives doing so. This can normalize drug use and make it seem less harmful. Neglect or other childhood trauma can also cause and teenager to use harmful substances. If a teenager has experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumatic events, they may be more likely to turn to drugs as a way to cope with their pain. If they experienced any type of abuse or was abandoned at a very young age they turn to drugs or alcohol to deal with their emotional pain and grief. Drugs can provide a temporary escape from pain, but they do not address the underlying issues that are causing the pain.
These harmful substances have devastating affects on the teenager as well as their family. Substance abuse can have a profound impact on the lives of both teenagers and their families. The affects of substance abuse can either be long-term or short-term, depending on how often the individual uses the drug. The more frequently a person uses drugs, the more likely they are to experience long-term health problems. Homes that were once calm can quickly become a strain on every individual in the house due to substance abuse. Substance abuse can create a chaotic and stressful environment for families. Parents who are aware of their child’s an addiction become very concerned about their physical and mental health. They may worry about their child’s safety, their future, and the impact that substance abuse is having on the family as a whole. When teens use drugs, they become very withdrawn from their family and friends, they sometimes steal money from their parents to purchase drugs and alcohol. This can damage relationships and create a sense of betrayal. If the constantly use drugs they become consumed by it which would eventually lead to them losing interest in school, sports and any other activities that they previously enjoyed. Substance abuse can interfere with a teenager’s ability to function in school, work, and social settings. Teenagers who use drugs do not see the damage and hurt they are causing others. They may be in denial about the extent of their problem and the impact it is having on their loved ones. The whole family is affected. Substance abuse is a family disease, and it can have a devastating impact on everyone involved. It hurts the family and interferes with the stability of the household. Relationships between parents and the individual also becomes strained as teens become rebellious and defiant. Parents can also become ill from stress and grief because they are constantly worrying for their child’s safety. The stress of dealing with a loved one’s substance abuse can take a toll on a parent’s physical and mental health.
Substance abuse also affect the body and brain. The effects of substance abuse can be devastating to both the body and the brain. The effects of substances on the body also depends on how the drug is delivered. The method of drug administration can affect the speed and intensity of the drug’s effects. Drugs that are injected has an immediate effect because it enters the bloodstream unlike those that are ingested.
Jessica’s drug use began at the age of 15. Her story is a poignant example of the challenges faced by many adolescents. She resided in a low-income city, and drug abuse was rampant in her community and school. Jessica did not have a strong support system. Her father left her and her mother when she was only 2 years old. This early abandonment had a profound impact on her emotional well-being. Her mother became the breadwinner of their family, and she had a difficult time keeping a “roof over their head.” She had three younger siblings to take care of as her mother was rarely around due to her numerous jobs. The lack of parental presence left Jessica feeling isolated and unsupported. Jessica felt as though she had nobody who genuinely cared for her, causing her to become depressed. She was encouraged by her peers to try using heroin to help her feel better about herself. Peer influence played a significant role in her initial drug use. When she used it for the first time, she was not sure if she liked it or not because she did not feel any different. She was again encouraged by her peers to try it again. This time she felt the full effect of the drug and decided that she liked the way she felt. This marked the beginning of her struggle with addiction. Jessica began stealing from her mother in order to purchase more drugs. When her mother found out what she did, she threw Jessica out. She was now 17 years old and homeless.
She turned to prostitution in order for her to purchase more heroin. This desperate measure highlights the severe impact of addiction on life choices. She could not afford a home, so she lived under the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. One day a terrible thing happened to her. She passed out while walking down the street. This incident was a turning point in her life. Luckily, a passer-by was able to see that Jessica needed help and called 911. Jessica’s life was saved by 3 paramedics. Besides the ventilator, Jessica had two chest tubes in place for pleurovac drainage. The chest tubes remained in place for around 4 days. Her medical condition was critical, requiring intensive care. During her stay at the hospital, Jessica befriended a nurse who often tended to her. The nurse encouraged her to get help as she was young. She told Jessica she had a bright future ahead, but that would only be possible if she got the necessary help she needed. This support was crucial in Jessica’s decision to seek treatment. Jessica decided to take the nurse’s advice. She was later transferred to a facility for substance use treatment and rehabilitation. However, it had been noted that Jessica had a significant mitral valve heart murmur (rapid heartbeat causing backflow of blood). This condition was a direct result of her drug use. Over a course of 5 years, Jessica eventually weaned off of heroin and had the mitral valve replaced. She remains healthy and drug-free and became a voice for adolescents who suffer from substance abuse.
Erik Erikson’s theory describes the impact of social experiences on an individual. His work emphasizes the importance of social context in development. Society can determine the psychological development of an individual. The developmental issues for early adolescence are rapid physical growth, self-image focused on appearance, and intense conformity to peers in order to gain acceptance. These factors can significantly influence behavior and choices. Therefore, in order to fit in with their peers, teenagers feel the need to do whatever their friends are involved in. In this case, Jessica took the advice of her friends and started using drugs because she trusted them when they told her she would feel better after doing so. This highlights the power of peer influence during adolescence. Erikson discussed the developmental tasks of adolescence as identity vs. role confusion. They often ask themselves “Who am I?” and many are unable to answer that question, which leaves them to allow their peers to make that decision for them. This identity crisis can lead to vulnerability to negative influences. Adolescents need environments in which they are allowed to test out their new thinking skills, receive positive feedback, and benefit from consequences.
If they are in a system where their education, family, and health are compromised, the development of the middle-age adolescent will be impacted. Supportive environments are crucial for healthy development. For example, Jessica’s father leaving her can be seen as him abandoning her. This would have contributed to her feeling unwanted and lonely. Her mother, on the other hand, was rarely around to have any involvement in her daughter’s life; this would have contributed to her depression. Parental involvement is key to preventing substance abuse. Jessica had no one to guide her and help her make the right decisions. Probably if her mother kept a closer eye on Jessica, she would have been able to tell whether or not she was using drugs. The community in which she resided also had a part to play in Jessica’s addiction. It was a norm to use drugs, so she would not have seen herself doing anything wrong or jeopardizing her health. Community norms can significantly influence individual behavior. They also experience the experimental stage. The experimental stage involves curiosity and taking risks. The primary focus is rites of passage with peers. Jessica’s friends were already using drugs, and they pressured her into using them even after she realized she disliked them.
Macro strategies involve intervention and advocacy on a large scale, whereas micro strategies are where social workers involve families and friends to solve problems. Both approaches are essential for comprehensive intervention. Micro strategies that can be used for substance abuse in adolescence are parental monitoring, as well as disclosure on their whereabouts, and positive communication between parents and the child. These strategies foster trust and accountability. Families can also educate their children about the dangers of using harmful substances. Macro strategies that can be used for substance abuse in adolescence are introducing courses on substance abuse at schools in order for children to be aware of the dangers. Education is a powerful tool for prevention. Governments also prohibit these drugs in order for there to be reduced cases of substance abuse in adolescents. Prices of these drugs can also be raised in order for adolescents to be unable to afford them. Economic measures can deter access to harmful substances. I believe that governments should also pay close attention to communities that have a lot of involvement with drug use.
References
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Hernandez, L., Rodriguez, A., & Spirito, A. (205, April 20). Brief Family Based Intervention for Substance Abusing Adolescents. Retrieved from NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4475574/
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