Drug Use and Teenagers

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Drug abuse is a risk that today's youth face. It has serious after effects in our community. How does drug abuse begin? Research has tried to find an answer for this question. While risk factors increase a person's chances for drug abuse, productive factors reduce it. There are many factors that add to a person's risk for drug abuse. Aggressive behavior is an early childhood risk and it can be prevented with family, school, and community interventions. Peer pressure is a more powerful risk factor, as far as teenagers are concerned. Protective factors like a strong parent-child bond can prevent it.

Signs of drug abuse

Right since childhood, some signs of risk can be seen. Aggressive behavior, lack of self-control, and difficult temperament are some of them. Some family situations increase the risk factor for drug use or abuse. A lack of attachment and nurturing by parents, ineffective parenting, a caregiver who abuses drugs are some family situations that add to a child's risk for later drug use. A strong bond between children and parents, parental involvement in the child's life and clear limits and consistent enforcement of discipline Poor classroom behavior or social skills and association with drug-abusing peers influence teenagers to start using drug.

When a child enters school, there is a chance to encounter drugs. This chance multiples when he or she enters high school. At this stage he or she is exposed to greater availability of drugs, drug abusers, and social activities involving drugs. The risk is very high when he or she reaches college or starts working. Following are few signs that people who use drugs show:

At Home: Loss of interest in family activities
Disrespect for family rules
Withdrawal from responsibilities
Verbally or physically abusive
Sudden increase or decrease in appetite
Disappearance of valuable items or money
Not coming home on time
Not telling you where they are going
Constant excuses for behavior
Spending a lot of time in their rooms
Lies about activities
Finding the following: cigarette rolling papers, pipes, roach clips, small glass vials, plastic baggies, remnants of drugs (seeds, etc.)

At School:
Sudden drop in grades
Truancy
Loss of interest in learning
Sleeping in class
Poor work performance
Not doing homework
Defiant of authority
Poor attitude towards sports or other extracurricular activities
Reduced memory and attention span
Not informing you of teacher meetings, open houses, etc.

Some Preventive Measures:
Get to know your teen's friends and their parents on a first name basis.
Keep connected in the after school hours.
Talk to your teen often about drugs.
Get your teen involved in extra-curricular activities
Ask questions when your teen makes plans to go out
Be a role model
Unite your family against drugs using strong family beliefs
Connect with your teen by doing things together as a family
Drop any baggage you may be carrying

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.