What Teens Need to Know about Substance Abuse
Teenage is deemed to be the most glorious of all the ages. It’s the pure joy of the idea of growing up while still being silly and notorious. Teenagers are often hard to handle because of the rebellious streak present in them. Adding to their need for freedom, propensity, curiousness and peer pressure push the boundaries.
Off late, with dangerous trend of drug abuse catching up among the teenagers, there is an unrest that’s putting their entire life at stake. Though most of the teenagers love to and do experiment with drugs and alcohol, not all of them end up being addicts. Genes also is to blame to a certain extent in these patterns since teenagers with certain genes are predisposed to behaviours of addiction and violence.
The common misconception among most parents is that the kids who abuse substance are “bad kids”, which in fact is a flawed notion. Not all the kids who are addicts or abuse substance are bad. On contrary to this familiar notion, a study suggests that children who are not loved enough or who hail from dysfunctional families where domestic violence and neglect is a common place are more prone to getting drawn to alcohol and drugs for a temporary relief.
While the effects of teen substance abuse are multi fold, reasons for these poor choices boil down to lower self-esteem, curiousness, boredom, peer pressure bonding experiences and escapism. Teens often resort to drugs and alcohol because of the happiness and euphoria they create, the emotion which is actually short lived. But in turn, these habits result in long term cognitive and behavioural impairments among the teens.
What teens need to know about substance abuse:
- Not all the teenagers who experimented with drugs are addicts. Nevertheless, children who resort to alcoholism or drugs as teenagers due to various reasons are at a higher risk of becoming addicts as adults.
- Effects of substance abuse in teenagers are multi fold include cognitive and behavioural impairments, nervous system breakdowns, blurred visions, suicidal tendencies, psychotic episodes and lack of focus.
- Once the teenager identifies himself/herself as an addict, it is high time he/she seek help from family, therapists and various support groups who readily offer their services for betterment. There is hope.
- Time tested therapies are available at rehab centres which help you get de-addicted and get well back to lead a meaningful and efficient life.
- Learning to be assertive and accepting challenging behaviours and environments is something which can be learnt with the help of family and experts. Hence resorting to drugs and alcohol can be avoided by making the right choices.
- Talking to friends or loved ones during times of distress can help avoid the trauma of addictive behaviours.
- Practicing self-love and self-acceptance is the key to success and happiness.
A day of temptation can lead to several years of pain. Therefore, make appropriate choices and stay healthy, wealthy and wise. Looking for a place to start? Reach us at +91 77999 19293.
