| Teenage drug addiction is a severe problem that could | | | | immediate euphoric effect. Other common reasons for |
| not be controlled successfully. A common definition of | | | | teenage drug abuse include - to become popular with |
| addiction is, "The uncontrollable and compulsive use of | | | | friends, think people would like them more, because |
| mind-altering drugs/substances, even though having the | | | | someone else wanted them to use, to make them feel |
| knowledge of the fact that such use may cause | | | | more like an adult and they could make extra money |
| problems with one's life". Addiction can be physical and | | | | selling them. Teenagers who are alcoholic are more |
| or psychological dependence on a chemical substance. | | | | prone to use drugs rather than non-alcoholic. |
| The Reasons for Teenage Drug Abuse | | | | The Warning Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse: |
| Adolescence is an age of trying new things. Most of | | | | The warning signs of teen drug abuse are generally |
| the teens are innocent of the consequences of the | | | | classified into five different categories. They are - |
| drug abuse when they start consuming for the first | | | | - Physical: Overly tired or hyperactive, repeated health |
| time. Some of the reasons for teen drug abuse are- | | | | complaints, red and glazed eyes, strange smell on |
| - Teens mostly want to do an adventure by | | | | breathe or body and a lasting cough. |
| experimenting with the drugs. It is difficult to identify | | | | - Emotional: Personality change, sudden mood changes, |
| which teen experiments and stop and which one | | | | irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor |
| addicts. | | | | judgment, depression, impassiveness, over-reacts to |
| - Many kids start using drugs when they see their | | | | criticism- acts rebellious. |
| family members or friends consume. In general, the | | | | - Family: Verbally or physically abusive, breaks family |
| family members seen by the teenagers highly influence | | | | rules, withdraws from the family activities, spends |
| them to use drugs. | | | | much time in their rooms, constant excuses for |
| - They come to know the effects of the drug abuse | | | | irrational behavior. |
| like- it feels good, to reduce stress, to feel grown up | | | | - School: Decreased interest in school activities, |
| (mentally & physically). | | | | negative attitude, drop in grades, absenteeism, reduced |
| - Often peer pressure plays a major role. The situation | | | | memory and attention span and discipline problems. |
| gets out of hands when teens start rely on drugs and | | | | - Social: New friends who are not interested in usual |
| think that they need it to escape from problems at | | | | home and school activities, less interest in sports or |
| school, home life or with friends. | | | | other extracurricular activities, problems with the law, |
| - Favorite movie stars use drugs in movies and the | | | | and change to uncommon styles in dress and music. |
| popular bands sing songs about it. This has a major | | | | The above stated reasons and warning signs can help |
| impact on teens, as they always want to follow their | | | | parents and teachers to identify the drug abusing |
| idols. | | | | teens at the initial stage and help them to check further |
| The most common reason of drug abuse either | | | | addiction. |
| experimentally or habitually, is to experience an | | | | |