How Teens Are Affected by Substance Abuse: Addiction and substance abuse disorders are some of the most common problems affecting mental health in America today. Over 40 million Americans ages 12 and over are dealing with some form of substance abuse. This translates to about 1 out of every 7 Americans.
Because substance abuse is such a prevalent problem, it’s not surprising that it affects a wide spectrum of the population. Some of the most vulnerable to such an issue are teenagers. Teenagers can become dependent on certain substances like anyone else. However, they are especially susceptible due to the fact that they are going through periods of extreme change and also as a result of internal factors such as brain development and fluctuation in hormones.
Unfortunately, teenagers are also those who can be harmed the most by substance abuse. The fact that they’re still developing makes them highly vulnerable to the damage which is inflicted by such a condition. If you suspect the teen in your life is dealing with substance abuse issues, it’s important to sit them down for a talk and then reach out to a mental health professional who can seek to guide you and your teen. In this article, we will cover the ways in which teens are harmed by substance abuse and why it’s so important to seek help when a problem is present.
How Common is Substance Abuse in Teens?
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First, it’s important to understand how prevalent of a problem substance abuse is amongst teenagers. Some of the most startling statistics on the subject have been compiled by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. According to their research, teens have extremely high rates of substance abuse.
In particular, they found that 47% of teenagers will have used an illegal substance prior to graduating from high school. In addition, they reported that in 2018, 2.7% of adolescents had an illegal drug use disorder. This equates to approximately 681,000 teens and young adults in America. Furthermore, they found that substance abuse is on the rise, stating: “In 2018, 4.2 million or 16.7% of adolescents between age 12 and 17 used illegal drugs in the previous year.”
Thus, it can be seen that substance abuse is a significant problem for teens in America. Moreover, this problem is seemingly getting worse. In order to understand the severity of the issue, however, it’s necessary to look at the ways in which teens are harmed by substance abuse.
How Are Teens Affected by Substance Abuse?
There are many ways in which alcohol and illegal drugs can be damaging to teenagers. Substances can be both mentally and physically harmful. Some of the most significant ways in which teens are harmed by substances are:
1. Substances Impede Brain Development
Teenager’s brains are not fully developed throughout adolescence. According to the University of Rochester, a teen’s brain won’t be fully developed until around age 25. Specifically, the use of substances can affect the development of the prefrontal cortex, which is the decision-making part of the brain that won’t be developed until they are in their mid-20s. When that growth is stunted during adolescence due to substance abuse, teens may never reach their full potential and may have lifelong repercussions.
2. Abuse Leads to Impaired Judgement
Another reason why substances are so dangerous for anyone, but especially teens, is because they lead to impaired judgment. Thus, your teen may find themselves in dangerous situations. They may hang out with others who have access to substances, even if those people are unhealthy or even dangerous.
In addition, they may use poor judgment when it comes to other dangerous activities, such as driving while impaired. These poor choices can lead to lifelong consequences, such as if a teen gets caught drinking and driving or is arrested for possession of a substance. Thus, it’s very important to make sure that teens are always using their best judgment, and unfortunately, this is impossible when substance abuse is involved.
3. Substances Can Replace Healthy Activities
In addition, if your teen is dealing with a substance abuse issue, then they may find themselves pulling away from other healthy activities. Alcohol and other substances that are considered depressants can make it very difficult for your teen to have the energy level that they used to have. This means that they may not feel motivated to focus on school or other healthy activities, such as sports or musical education.
Moreover, substances can cause a lack of interest in activities that your teen previously enjoyed, which means they may find themselves pulling away from friends or family. In addition, if your teen is dealing with substance abuse, then they may have a difficult time controlling their mood as a result. This can cause a disruption in their daily life, including their normal healthy activities.
4. Substance Abuse Can Cause Physical Harm
Additionally, physical harm can be caused by the use of substances. First, as previously discussed, teens may find that their judgment is compromised when abusing substances, so they may end up in dangerous situations which can lead to injury or worse.
Moreover, substances can be extremely harmful to all of the body’s internal systems. Smoking marijuana or any other substance can be damaging to the throat and lungs and can cause toxins to build in the body. Moreover, excessive alcohol use can lead to issues with the esophagus, the digestive system, the liver and kidneys, and essentially every vital organ in the body. Thus, it can be seen that substances can be extremely harmful to anyone physically. However, especially because teens are still developing, their systems can be harmed even more severely.
Conclusion: How Teens Are Affected by Substance Abuse
Unfortunately, substance abuse is a serious problem that is affecting teens in America in record numbers. While some slight experimentation can be considered normal, when substance use becomes a pattern of behavior, serious consequences can arise. Teens may find themselves with impaired judgment and unable to make good and healthy decisions. In addition, substance abuse can lead to life-long physical and mental hardships.
If the teen in your life is experiencing substance abuse issues, be sure to take the time to sit them down and speak to them about your concerns in a calm manner. Then, follow up by reaching out to a mental health professional or a substance abuse treatment center in order to ensure that they are receiving the care they need before it’s too late.
