Teen drug and alcohol abuse affects mind, body and community but the problem is so much more.
With the advent of the Internet, teen drug abuse has risen to epidemic proportions. Digital peer pressure and online drug marketing allows the influence of drugs and alcohol to enter even the most strictly drug-free home. Even private schoolers and home schoolers are no longer exempt. What begins as a “good time” or a desire to fit in can quickly escalate to full-blown drug addiction with dangerous, often fatal consequences.
This article addresses the various ways that teen drug and alcohol abuse affects mind, body and community. Addiction experts urge parents to talk to their children about these effects. Open communication on the subject is one of the greatest factors in drug prevention.
Teen Drug Abuse Causes A Multicolored Haze
Damage to the body is one of the major consequences of teen drug abuse starting with the teen brain which is a rapidly developing organ. In fact, it continues to grow into the early twenties. Studies show that drug and alcohol abuse during these tender years can permanently alter brain function. Marijuana, the illicit drug of choice among American teens, has been shown to cause lowered I.Q.’s in thirty-year-old adults. It also affects short-term memory and concentration levels.
Drug use puts one into a sort of haze, as if viewing the world through a dirty windshield. Perceptions become distorted, and oftentimes users experience hallucinations. Sometimes they can’t tell the difference between dreams and reality. Many substances, especially designer drugs like bath salts and synthetic marijuana (which are becoming increasingly popular among American youth), cause psychotic episodes and leave the user with absolutely no recollection of what happened when they were under the influence.
Give this to a child who is attempting to get through school, and you have a surefire recipe for disaster. Statistics show that kids on drugs do poorly in school and don’t perform as well in extra-curricular activities. This can affect whether or not they finish school, determine what college they go to as poor grades will prevent acceptance or scholarships, and prevent them from getting the jobs they want.
Visible Changes To The Body
Long-term drug abuse can cause chronic conditions such as brittle bones from calcium leaching, heart problems, potential for stroke, changes in blood pressure, and cancer. Studies show that teen drug abuse causes a higher likelihood of drug abuse as an older adult, which can exacerbate physical conditions that come with age.
Dangers to Society
Alcohol-related automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among American teens. A large number of pedestrians under the influence of alcohol or marijuana have been known to cause fatal accidents.
Another recent evil to raise its ugly head is a slew of designer drugs including synthetic marijuana and bath salts. These substances are becoming increasingly popular among American youth, but they are known to cause psychotic episodes including suicide and murder. Users manifest barbaric, animalistic tendencies, experiencing vivid hallucinations and becoming extremely violent.
Many teens also turn to criminality to fuel their drug habits. When one is in the throes of drug withdrawal, he can go to all manner of desperate measures to get what he needs. Even the most soft-tempered teen may end up a perpetrator in theft, assault and even murder.
All of these problems lead to an unsafe community. A place where is no trust and crime is rampant. It starts in the teen years. It continues into adulthood.
There are only two solutions. The first is drug prevention by parents and through schools. The second is drug rehabilitation. For more information on this topic contact Narconon rehab reviews.
Source: http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20121022/LIFESTYLE/310220001/Teen-drug-alcohol-abuse-affects-mind-body