5 Harmful Effects of Drug Abuse and How to Prevent your Teenager from Using

What is Drug Abuse?

It is the use of certain chemicals to produce enjoyable effects on the brain. It is also referred to as drug misuse or substance abuse.

Examples of harmful drugs include;

• Cocaine

• Opium and opioids

• Tobacco

• Alcohol

• Hashish or cannabis-derived marijuana

• Artificial substances like heroin, ecstasy, amphetamine, phencyclidine and LSD

Now, these drugs can be grouped into three categories based on the effects they produce. They are;

• Depressants: These impair the functions of the brain. They include substances like heroin and sleeping medications (barbiturates)

• Hallucinogens: These produce hallucinations, incorrect sensory perception and even sadness. It makes a person paranoid too. Examples of Hallucinogens are ecstasy and LSD.

• Stimulants: These jump starts the brain, resulting in heightened alertness and bursts of energy. Common behavioral changes are agitation and poor judgment. Further symptoms include a quick heartbeat, dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, nausea or vomiting. In extreme cases, a user may become delusional with the use of cocaine and amphetamines.

Okay, you're probably wondering how these drugs are been used.

Drugs of abuse can be administered through several different means.

Such as by

1. swallowing a tablet,

2. injecting the chemical through the bloodstream;

3. breathing smoke; or

4. snorting it to absorb it into the blood vessels of the nose.

What are the effects of drug use?

You see, the drugs themselves are not bad. They provide health benefits when used on prescription.

For instance, Opium where we get opiates is used medically to reduce pain and aid sleep. Examples are morphine, pethidine, codeine, dipipanone, and methadone.

It is the non-medical use and addiction that results in the problem of drugs.

Let's look at some of them.

Dependence: Drug dependence is an uncontrollable urge to use drugs regardless of the damage to health or social life.

Dependence becomes visible physically and psychologically.

A user expresses physical dependence when he reduces or stops his drug intake. Then falls sick. It's called withdrawal syndrome.

Depressants such as opiates and alcohol cause physical dependence.

While psychological dependence is known when a person depends on drugs to feel normal. He becomes obsessed and focuses only on using.

Loss of mind: The worst state of addiction is when drug usage becomes too frequent.

The user begins to lose touch with reality when he misses his dose.

In extreme cases, if he doesn't get help, his brain is affected and he loses his mind or becomes mad.

Risk of infectious diseases: a user who takes drugs by injection may contract viruses such as AIDS.

Needles and syringes may not be sterilized and are sometimes shared among friends. Thus increasing exposure to deadly diseases.

Damage to body parts: The consumption of high dosages of foreign substances affects the body negatively.

Smoking for instance, clogs the lungs and alcohol increases blood sugar.

Poor social relationships: A drug addict may struggle with his social life. Due to the effects on the mind and body when he's not using.

He may be unable to make coherent speeches and act violently. As a result, he becomes avoidable or stays in isolation.

I know you are thinking, drug abuse is not what anyone should be involved in.

So why do children and young people use drugs?

Some causes of drug use are as follows;

Peer pressure; young people feel a great need to be accepted. Especially in schools.

For this reason, they are compelled by friends to experiment with a lot of dangerous acts, including drug usage.

This proves their courage and maturity.

Fun; teenagers are at the peak of risk-taking behaviours. In an attempt to arouse excitement or relieve pain, they can turn to use drugs.

Ignorance; some teenagers may not know the level of impact drugs may have on them.

What may initially be the use of prescription drugs for pain relief can turn into a source of inspiration. Resulting in abuse.

Do you see how vulnerable teenagers are? It is dangerous to leave your child to chance.

Now, what if your teenager was already using drugs?

Hold on, before you say never!

A doctor or qualified mental health professional can diagnose substance abuse.

Also, check out the following signs;

• Unexplained weight loss

• Constant tiredness

• Red eyes

• Poor hygiene

• Darkened teeth or lips

• Consistent abnormalities in heart rate or blood pressure

• Depression or anxiety

• Sleep disorder

If you are convinced that your child isn't using, great!

Now, you can prevent your teens from abusing substances through the following steps;

• Have personal conversations to find out their thoughts on drug abuse. Advise them accordingly.

• Regulate the social events they attend. Especially those with a high possibility of drug consumption.

• Know their closest friends. One thing is certain, drug users move along with other users.

• Monitor the sites they visit. This includes the influencers and celebrities they follow on social media. Teens model their behaviours.

If you suspect a child using, never accuse them directly. If it's a lie, he may indulge in it to spite you.

Rather, educate him on the long-term effects of drugs. Teenagers only want to live today. Constantly remind them that they have a tomorrow.

You may ask, how do I help my child that is a drug addict?

There are different treatments for drug users. Treatment is determined by the kind of substance abused.

• Detoxification: it is the flushing out of drug toxins from the body. It is usually necessary for injected or swallowed drugs.

• Psychosocial support systems: this is normally a formal group that comprises former addicts. They give hope by talking about their struggles and recovery process. This is great for the long-term management of addiction.

• Rehabilitation; involves restoring an addict to a pre-drug state. By providing continuous medical and psychological support. Psychotherapeutic support is important because it addresses the issues that may have caused a teenager to develop the habit of drug abuse.

In conclusion, there is no case of drug abuse concerning a child that is beyond fixing.

Play your role as a parent or guardian by providing endless physical and psychological support. Knowing that truly loving and caring for a child will never return to you, void.