Teenage drug abuse
Over the past years, several advances have been made with the aim of getting an understanding of the nature and extent of drug use problem among teenagers. This has resulted to increased awareness of many important elements concerning youth’s drug abuse and the consequences accompanying drug abuse. As part of the awareness, one of the elements has been initial case identification, particularly where it pertains targeting high-risk teenagers for early or reasonably intervention. Following this is the aftercare service, which is seen to be crucial in supporting recovery and avoiding setback.
Efforts leading to improved understanding of teenage drug abuse have come about through an acknowledgment of the multidimensional and multigenerational nature of the problem, causes of abuse, the victims, the consequences and solutions to be effected(Aldridge, Parker & Measham, 2008). Despite these efforts, little is known about the drug pattern, causes and consequences of drug use and its abuse among teenagers. Thus, there is a need to investigate which protective factors can be employed to protect teenage generation and the youths at large.
Drug abuse among teenagers can be classified into different kinds. (Baker, 2011) explains that in order for teenagers to protect their teen and be in a better place to understand drug use among teenagers, it is crucial for them to clearly know the types of most popular drugs abused by teens. Popular drugs that nowadays prominent among the youth fall in the following categories:
Prescription drugs
These are drugs which prescribed to a suffering patient or given just as a prescription to someone but used by some people who are not prescribed to. Prescriptions are usually intended to come to the rescue of patients suffering from different kinds of illness. The medication accompanying this is meant to fight the diseases in the patients. However, when these prescriptions are not applied as intended, it amounts to drug abuse. Teenagers who buy or obtain medications for consumption considering in mind that this is not meant to cure help propagate this illegal activity. Some would buy or steal medications such as Ritalin and OxyContin for their own consumption or selling and this turns a harmful, addictive activity (Aldridge, Parker & Measham, 2008).
Club drugs
These ones are mostly popular during parties. Teens like engaging in partying, which encompasses different activities. One of this the activities is drug abuse and when done in such events, there are usually better acceptance by the teens of drug use. A common characteristic of these parties is that there is usually an illusion among all those engaging in the abuse (McIntosh, MacDonald & McKeganey, 2010). Mostly, they defend the abuse that it is not a problem, as it does not usually happen and that they do it socially. During moments of happiness, abuse will be of little concern, as there is normally simultaneous enjoyment of what is going on such as lights and music. Some of drugs that fall in this category include ketamine and rohypol (DeLorme, Huh, & Reid, 2011).
Inhalants
The use of inhalants is normally accompanied by certain feeling because of the chemical vapours. Teenagers get fond of this feeling and it becomes addictive to them as they would want to repeat using them in order to re-enjoy the feeling. Common inhalants that are mostly abuse by teenagers include; felt-tip markers, white out, aerosol spray, paint thinners and removers.
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are usually drugs that when taken, they change one`s perception of the reality. Teenagers would use these and tend to see things in an illusion way. They tend to hear and see things that are not real. Popular drugs abused as hallucinogens include Psilocybin, Foxy and mescaline
Several factors have been associated with the wide spread of drug abuse amongst teenagers. These factors have been the reasons why many teens are turning to drug abuse while those who have suffered in the abuse have found it difficult to pull themselves out of drugs abuse chains, this is so because these factors contribute greatly to life –long habit of consuming various drugs and other stimulants such as cigarettes and alcohol (Sigler, &Talley, 2009).
Factors causing drugs abuse among teens
Lack of supervision
Good parenting and parental care play a major role in life development of children. (Hood, 2009) postulates that where there is no parental supervision, there is a high likelihood of drug abuse by the children when they get to their teenage life .This forms a primary factor as to why teenagers would turn to drugs abuse. In this kind of child bringing up environment, the parents are absent to discipline their children, support or educate them. The youths end up turning to other alternate reality, which is often characterised by drug use. Where parents are present and are concerned about their children`s welfare, they will easily notice any behavioural changes in their children, that could be as a result of drug abuse. At this point, they can offer guidance through information sharing and discussion therefore saving the children. However, where there is less supervision, there exists more opportunities which expose the teens to drug abuse. The teens usually place blame on the boredom they face and further try to justify the behaviour by finding connections with their peers who will help them kill the boredom and isolated life.
Availability
Easy availability of drugs presents opportunity for teenagers to exercise their curiosity. A simple example occurs when parents use substance. This normally sets precedent for the young teens to follow and where there is no good parental supervision, the teen will end up being an addict. (Baker, 2011) in his writing explains that much benefit is to be enjoyed by parents when open dialogue is embrace between them and children as the teens would get to understand the effects of drug abuse.
Retailers of drugs also come in handy when the issue of drug abuse among teenagers is mentioned. This is so because many retailers would sell substance such as cigarettes and alcohol to minors. In many communities, strict measures are put to kill this trend but some retailers would still not comply.
Peer influence
When children are living their teenage life, the aspect of peer pressure is so much significant. The power of peer pressure is so strong and even though morals are to guard against peer pressure, many teens fall victims. At this stage, choices and actions made are hugely influenced by peer relationships. This peer pressure may contribute to good or bad decision that will be made about substance use (McIntosh, MacDonald & McKeganey, 2010). Cases have shown that teens get pressure to experiment with drugs at this point.
Stereotyping
This is mainly linked to parents who are supposed to offer guidance to their children. Some parents fall into the assumptions that there is no risk of drug use among their children. Even if the risk exists, they perceive the risk to be low therefore; they do not worry about the situation and care less. All children face the risk of turning to drug abuse; therefore, all teenagers should know the effects of drugs and measures they can take to avoid falling into drug abuse in future (Spohn & Kaplan, 2012).
Symptoms of teenage drug use
Several symptoms are associated with drug abuse among teenagers. Some of these include;-
Neglecting responsibilities: This is evident while the teen is at home or at school. The teen will find it difficult to attend to duties and other responsibilities allocated by parents or teachers
Dropping in academic performance: Use of drugs while in school affects academic results of students. Where students were previously performing well in class, conversion to drug abuse will be reflected in drop in performance and poor relationship with teachers
Constant problems in relationships: Teenagers who have fallen into drug abuse rarely find themselves in good relationships with other people. Others turn to violent behaviour and rarely listen to advice
Legal trouble: After turning to addictive nature, the teenagers usually find themselves always in a conflict situation with the authority. The effects the drugs create in them show them to be always right while indeed they may be engaging in illegal and criminal activities (DeLorme, Huh, & Reid, 2011).
In a bid to prevent drug abuse among teens, parents should learn and seek more information about this issue. There should be proper communication with the kids to keep the drug-free. Teens should understand the consequences of substance abuse and what they tend to face when they indulge in drugs (Sigler, &Talley, 2009). Teen`s activities such as internet activities should be monitored by seniors while their parents should share information with other parents in regard to drug-free society. Where parents feel that the weight to control the drug use risks facing their children, it is important that they seek professional help.
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