Cause and Effects of Teen Drug Abuse

A recent study from Yale University suggests that drug is a development disorder, one that affects teens in particular. The reason for this is certain areas of teens brains that control impulsive behavior are not fully formed. During adolescence, the human brain begins to release more chemicals affiliated with new experiences and the desire to repeat them. Areas of the brain that adults use to think about the risks of behaviors are still developing in teens. The bottom line is this, teenagers are more likely to experiment with drugs than any other age group.

Throughout the United States, children take prescription drugs in order to get high. Most of the time, it is not even for recreational purposes, it is because that doctors tell them that it’ll cure some ailment they have. One of these prescription drugs is Adderall, considered to be a gateway drug for children getting high. People keep getting killed by accidental overdosed from prescription drugs every nineteen minutes, saying that it is even worse than alcohol. Some people ruin their lives by even taking prescription drugs. The niece of the pharmaceutical representative, who was a pre-med student that got into a car accident and was taking prescription drugs, died due to depression from the halting of taking prescription drugs. The niece burned herself alive by taking the oil from a lamp and lighting herself.

According to current statistics released by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, “In the United States in 2011, there were an estimated 25.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17. In the past year, more than one quarter of adolescents drank alcohol, approximately one fifth used an illicit drug, and almost one eighth smoked cigarettes” ("A Day in the Life of American Adolescents," 2013, para. 1). Substance abuse is major problem amongst adolescents. Some are experimenting, but some adolescents may become dependent on a particular substance. If one becomes dependent on a substance as an adolescent it could be detrimental to their future health and success as an adult. Spear (2003) stated in an article titled Alcohol’s

Elkins (2016) suggests professionals ought to become cognizant of signs and symptoms of substance abuse. In addition, Elkins (2016) suggests professionals should become aware of available resources and treatment options in order to properly treat adolescent drug abuse. Paino, Aletraris, and Roman (2015) discuss the impact of evidence based practices when treating adolescents with substance abuse. One must consider the need for treatment providers to have specialized treatment options for adolescents ( Paino, Aletraris, and Roman 2015) Furthermore, Paino, Aletraris, and Roman (2015) delves into medication assisted treatment- providing medication to assist with cessation of drug use, and how it’s not utilized in adolescents due to age restraints. As noted by Paino, Aletraris, and Roman (2015) treatment options for juveniles seeking to abstain from substance abuse is limited and needs more research.

Prescription drug abuse has become a major epidemic across the globe, shattering and affecting many lives of young teenagers. Many people think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than “street drugs.” After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kids brothers and sisters use. The dangers are not easily seen, but the future of our youth will soon be in severe danger if the problem is not addressed,it will continue to get worse if action is not taken soon. Prescription drugs are only supposed to be consumed by patients who have been examined and have a medical report by a professional, more and more teens are turning to the family’s medicine cabinet to “get high” but what they are

The talk of substance abuse has been a long and serious one. With an over stimulated society, it is not uncommon to see the countless reports and hear the chatter among peers expressing concern about the “drug epidemic.” With how prevalent the talk of drugs are it starts to influence younger and younger crowds. Especially young adults. With the ever changing times, young adults are becoming more and more open to the world around them. However, with the spiraling numbers of substance abuse among young adults, it is time for outside intervention. The main way to rectify this growing issue is to understand what these substances are, the staggering statistics within correlation to them, and what measures can be taken to help those currently

One may be astonished to discover that in 2012 “..about 17 percent of American high school students were drinking, smoking or using drugs during the school day” and this number has remained relatively stagnant throughout the years (Kuczynski-Brown). The amount of students who take part in the illegal acts of drinking, smoking, and drug use has been difficult to combat. Students do not understand that these substances can result in harmful consequences down the road. This is why it is imperative that, as a society, we begin looking for solutions to defeat these harmful habits, and sometimes, addictions. The earlier we begin to inculcate the effects of these substances on the young, the better. That is why the prime-time to spread this message

Substance abuse is something that teens and adolescents battle every year. More than millions of teens face this issue and every year the number rises and high schools across the nation are seeing a need for school-based prevention programs to decrease the amount of students that are dropping out from these issues. These programs are geared towards helping problems such as alcohol and drug abuse. Although majority of large high schools have these programs, the number of students with these issues continues to rise and the problems are getting worse. “Adolescent substance use increases the risk of significant mental health problems such as conduct disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance dependence.” (Shekhtmeyster, Sharkey, & You, 2011, p.386) It is very obvious that these prevention programs are not digging deep enough into the issues to truly hit the root of the problem to become effective. Researching the substance abuse programs inside these high schools and their counseling programs, as well as their effectiveness can lead to better standards and interventions that can help these students who intend to have bright futures and are trying to move past their problems with drug and alcohol abuse.

Within this article it expresses how drug control is one of the most important public policy issues in the United States. It explains how drug abuse has tremendous economic and social consequences in many countries. This article also elaborates how young people start drug use as early as age 15. Therefore, most drug prevention programs target young people while in school. Many researchers stress that the best way to limit drug abuse is to target children and stop them from initiating drug use at an early age before even getting in contact with drugs.

Since the 1970s, government-funded research studies have shown emerging patterns of substance use, misuse and abuse among school-aged adolescents. Studies such as the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), Monitoring the Future (MTF), Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) are intricate research studies that compiles data on the prevalence and long-term effects of substance abuse in and outside of the school setting. Funded and sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Substance

According to teendrugrehabs.com, over 60 percent of teens have reported that drugs of some kind are kept, sold, and used at their school. Over 23 million people over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol or some other drug. One significant issue, among many, that our nation faces is the abuse of drugs and alcohol among our youth. This is a problem for all age groups, but every day more and more people under the age of 18 are experimenting with drugs to “fit in” with the crowd.

The teenage years can be some of the most confusing times in a person’s life. During these years of life, one may begin to experiment with risky choices such as turning to drugs and alcohol for means of fun. What he does not know at that point, is this “harmless fun” can turn into a severe, life-long problem if he is not careful. Youth who are exposed to drugs and alcohol are not only susceptible to the health risks that come with using them, but are also put in a position to become addicted to the substances.

On a national level, teens are drinking and using drugs at unprecedented levels. Alcohol is responsible for killing 6.5X more teens each year that all other substances combined. Some studies indicate that at least 40% of all teens have tried marijuana in the last year and 15% have used opiates and/or speed. These and other numbers indicate it's time for parents to start taking teen addiction seriously and get them the help they

Although drug and alcohol abused in teenagers has decreased over the last few decades, it is still extremely prevalent in today’s youth. In fact, almost 50% of high school seniors have abused a drug of some kind, and more than 70% have used alcohol ("Teen Drug Abuse Facts | Teenage Alcohol Statistics", 2015). Drinking and driving has also played a role in the leading cause of teenage deaths, car accidents. While schools and local law enforcement work together to try to limit the use of drugs and alcohol in teenagers, it is impossible to eradicate it completely.

Drugs between teenagers is one of the most serious problems, because it causes a change in the behavior of any teenager and a physical change too. Most of the teenagers use alcoholic drinks as a way to escape