What Are Today’s Youth Obsessed With?
Vigilance is recommended for parents and teachers when it comes to drug abuse and addiction, particularly among adolescents aged 8 to 18. These cases commonly originate with students in grades 8-12.
Are you worried about your adolescent’s substance abuse? Then you are in the right place. In this article, we’ll cover all of the pertinent information – from what substances to look out for and their dangerous effects to intervention techniques that can help teenagers break free from addiction. Read on to learn more!
In a Nutshell – A Summary of Teen Addiction
- 86% of the general teen population knows someone who abuses substances
- 50% of teenagers have tried misusing a drug once in their entire life
- 43% of college students are engaged in illegal substances
- Alcohol, nicotine, vapes, and prescription drugs are the most widely misused substances among adolescents.
- Around 66% of grade 12 students are drinking alcoholic beverages
- 50% of grade 9 to 12 students are using marijuana
- 40% of grade 9 to 12 students have tried using cigarettes
- 20% of grade 12 students are abusing prescription medicines
- It’s alarming to see the number of students using illicit drugs across grade levels. Here are some concerning statistics related to drug abuse::
- 5.8% grade 8
- 9.4% grade 10
- 13.3% grade 12
What Perils Are Associated with Teen Substance Abuse?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has conducted multiple studies to ascertain the consequences of young people abusing drugs and illicit substances. Here are some oft-seen adverse results from their findings.
- It impairs the full development of the brain
- The emergence of potentially harmful behaviors such as reckless intoxicated driving, engaging in unprotected sexual activity, becoming quickly and easily agitated, and making decisions on impulse can lead to negative outcomes.
- Without timely recognition and treatment, obesity can contribute to the deterioration of your lungs, heart, liver and brain – organs crucial for life.
- The misuse of substances can also precipitate the development of associated mental illnesses, including dementia and schizophrenia.
To effectively address teenage addiction and dependence, early detection is of the utmost importance so that an appropriate intervention or treatment plan can be implemented at once.
What Misconceptions Lead Teens To Abuse Drugs and Alcohol?
It’s a sad but true reality that the majority of young people with substance addictions are under 21 years old. While heartbreaking, it is important to understand why teenagers turn to alcohol and drug abuse for solace—here are some of the top contributing factors:
- Peer pressure
- Curiosity to try how these substances taste and work
- Stress from school and family
- Broken relationships
- The desire to temporarily escape the sad reality of one’s condition
If you observe that your children’s behaviors have become peculiar, then it is important to engage them in communication. Through open dialogue, they can confide in you about the issues and anxieties that are burdening them. Regularly having conversations will encourage a safe space for your kids to express themselves without fear of judgment or rejection.
The Most Commonly Abused Substances Among Adolescents
Looking back, grade 8 through college is where we can identify the most substance abuse in adolescents. It’s pertinent that parents take a proactive and supportive stance when dealing with their teens.
- A teen who starts drinking alcohol is 7x more likely to incur a motor vehicle accident.
- Around 97,000 students have experienced sexual harassment due to alcohol drinking
- Excessive drinking among young adults is growing at an alarming rate – 20% of college students are binge-drinking, making it increasingly difficult for them to halt their alcohol consumption.
- 74% of alcoholics have started drinking since they were age 17
- Of alcoholics in the 12-20 age group, 19.3% are present and 2.8% of them consume it heavily while 12.1% partake in binge drinking.
- 72% of high school students are engaging in alcohol drinking
- As the grade level of students rises, so does the percentage of those who consume alcohol. In 2017, here are the percentages of student drinkers according to their grade:
- 8% grade 8 students
- 19.7% grade 10 students
- 33% grade 12 students
- Research has demonstrated that adolescents who experiment with marijuana at a young age are up to 50% more prone to developing an addiction in adulthood. Alarmingly, this figure stands at around 16%.
- It is likely that adolescent girls aged 14-15 who begin using marijuana will experience depression.
- An alarming 23.9% of all tenth graders used this substance within the past year and an astonishing 14% just in the last month alone.
- 35.6% of 12th graders are using this substance last year, while 22.5% last month
- 53% of teens aged 12 to 17 have developed severe marijuana addiction in their later age
- Vaping is widespread among high school students, with nearly a third of the student population having tried e-cigarettes.
- With a survey conducted among grade 12ers, these were their thoughts regarding vaping:
- 51.8% said it is just flavoring
- 32.8% said there’s nicotine
- 11.1% said it has marijuana contents
- From the data obtained from a general grade 12 population, it was found that 10% of them admitted to vaping nicotine and 5% reported using marijuana concentrate.
Prescription Drugs and Opioids
- 3.6% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 are misusing opioids and other prescription drugs
- 20% of 12th graders are using prescription medicines without any prescription bottle
- In 2015, the tragic deaths of 4,235 teenagers due to prescription drug overdose drew attention to the growing danger of these dangerous drugs.
Unequivocal Signs of Teenage Substance Abuse
It can be challenging for parents to comprehend if their teenagers are suffering from addiction or just the typical changes of adolescence. However, there are certain indicators that you can look out for in order to detect whether your teens may have become addicted to any substances.
Here are some telltale signs to keep an eye out for that may indicate a teen is struggling with substance addiction:
- Exhibiting a secretive or discreet behavior
- Cannot do direct eye contact
- Declining academic performance
- Consistent tardiness
- Routinely being late for curfews
- Bad grooming or hygiene
- You can smell some scent of cigarette or vape on the clothes
- Reddish eyes
- Routinely feeling tired or restless
- Increased appetite levels with no reasons
- Frequent mood swings
- Sensitivity to lights and sounds
If you observe a few of the following signs, it may be time to begin dialoguing with your child in order to investigate their emotions and situation further. Don’t wait until these indicators become too prominent – open up communication right away.
If all else fails, professional medical guidance from esteemed rehabilitation centers and health practitioners should be sought out to help overcome the addiction.
How Should You Respond if Your Teen Acknowledges or Refuses to Admit Addiction?
As parents, it is essential that you stay composed and express genuine care for your teenage children regardless of what they share with you. Avoid overreacting at all costs in order to foster an environment of understanding and trust between yourself and your teen(s).
Establishing an atmosphere of comfort and trust is essential in order to gain a deeper understanding of your subject’s experience. By allowing them the security they need, you can determine whether they have done it once or multiple times before. Additionally, you will understand why such actions were taken in the first place.
No matter the subject, make sure they know that you are truly invested in their current circumstances and future prospects. In fact, seeking out medical help from specialists should always be your last resort when it comes to aiding your teen’s recovery journey from addiction.