| Teenage drug addiction is a severe problem | | | | Other common reasons for teenage drug abuse |
| that could not be controlled successfully. A | | | | include - to become popular with friends, |
| common definition of addiction is, "The | | | | think people would like them more, because |
| uncontrollable and compulsive use of | | | | someone else wanted them to use, to make them |
| mind-altering drugs/substances, even though | | | | feel more like an adult and they could make |
| having the knowledge of the fact that such | | | | extra money selling them. Teenagers who are |
| use may cause problems with one's life". | | | | alcoholic are more prone to use drugs rather |
| Addiction can be physical and/or | | | | than non-alcoholic. |
| psychological dependence on a chemical | | | | |
| substance. | | | | The Warning Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse: |
| | | | |
| The Reasons for Teenage Drug Abuse | | | | The warning signs of teen drug abuse are |
| | | | generally classified into five different |
| Adolescence is an age of trying new things. | | | | categories. They are - |
| Most of the teens are innocent of the | | | | |
| consequences of the drug abuse when they | | | | - Physical: Overly tired or hyperactive, |
| start consuming for the first time. Some of | | | | repeated health complaints, red and glazed |
| the reasons for teen drug abuse are- | | | | eyes, strange smell on breathe or body and a |
| | | | lasting cough. |
| - Teens mostly want to do an adventure by | | | | |
| experimenting with the drugs. It is difficult | | | | - Emotional: Personality change, sudden mood |
| to identify which teen experiments and stop | | | | changes, irritability, irresponsible |
| and which one addicts. | | | | behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment, |
| | | | depression, impassiveness, over-reacts to |
| - Many kids start using drugs when they see | | | | criticism- acts rebellious. |
| their family members or friends consume. In | | | | |
| general, the family members seen by the | | | | - Family: Verbally or physically abusive, |
| teenagers highly influence them to use drugs. | | | | breaks family rules, withdraws from the |
| | | | family activities, spends much time in their |
| - They come to know the effects of the drug | | | | rooms, constant excuses for irrational |
| abuse like- it feels good, to reduce stress, | | | | behavior. |
| to feel grown up (mentally & physically). | | | | |
| | | | - School: Decreased interest in school |
| - Often peer pressure plays a major role. The | | | | activities, negative attitude, drop in |
| situation gets out of hands when teens start | | | | grades, absenteeism, reduced memory and |
| rely on drugs and think that they need it to | | | | attention span and discipline problems. |
| escape from problems at school, home life or | | | | |
| with friends. | | | | - Social: New friends who are not interested |
| | | | in usual home and school activities, less |
| - Favorite movie stars use drugs in movies | | | | interest in sports or other extracurricular |
| and the popular bands sing songs about it. | | | | activities, problems with the law, and change |
| This has a major impact on teens, as they | | | | to uncommon styles in dress and music. |
| always want to follow their idols. | | | | |
| | | | The above stated reasons and warning signs |
| The most common reason of drug abuse either | | | | can help parents and teachers to identify the |
| experimentally or habitually, is to | | | | drug abusing teens at the initial stage and |
| experience an immediate euphoric effect. | | | | help them to check further addiction. |