Drug Abuse

What is substance abuse?

Many teens try alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, but using these substances is not safe or legal. Some teens try these substances only a few times and stop. Others can't control their cravings for them. This is substance abuse. Teens may try a number of substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, household chemicals (inhalants), prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and illegal drugs. The reason they do it may be because they want to fit in with friends or certain groups. They may also take a drug or drink alcohol because they like the way it makes them feel. Or they may believe that it makes them more grown up. Teens tend to try new things and take risks, and they may take drugs or drink alcohol because it seems exciting.

Is alcohol or drug abuse the bigger problem?

According to a report published by the charity Alcohol Concern, just over 58% feel alcohol misuse is the more serious social problem and twice as many people are dependent on alcohol than all other drugs, including prescription drugs. It resulted in 85,000 deaths in the United States, in 2000, contrary to the zero deaths caused by marijuana. Drinking is a major problem, but is too firmly ingrained as 'acceptable' behaviour and as a legal substance to use. Nowadays, teenagers are drinking younger and more frequently than before, often beginning at age 13, and many reports indicates that drinking before age 15, is five times more likely to result in alcohol-related problems later in life. Especially to teenagers, alcohol can be a bigger problem than other illegal drugs, not only because of how alcohol effects their body, but also because these unawareness of its effect than they are of other drugs. However, it can’t be denied that illegal drug abuse is also being a major problem amongst teens. Abuse and addiction of both of these substances interfere with their sense of who they are and how they learn and mature.

Which drugs are most common?

The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among teens. Studies show nearly 50% of teens try marijuana before they graduate high school. Many parents of teens experimented with marijuana in their college days, and now feel like they're hypocritical if they talk to their kids about the use of marijuana. Today, marijuana use begins at a much younger age and some of the marijuana available can be much more potent. Teenagers’ use of marijuana is a way for them to cope with life's problems, to deal with anxiety, anger or depression, a way to escape reality, or to simply ease boredom. Long term use studies of high school students substantiate the fact that use of the more dangerous drugs, is almost always preceded by the use of marijuana. Therefore, marijuana is often considered a gateway to more serious drugs.

Which are most addictive?

It depends upon a lot of factors in both the drug and the person who uses it. In an attempt to define clearly what is meant by addiction, and which drugs are the most addictive, many doctors of the field ranked six psychoactive substances on five criteria.

• Withdrawal