In adolescence, many teenagers start using drugs for many reasons. One of them is the curiosity of trying new things. Also to seek solace and release tension and stress from their daily lives, or to feel important. Unfortunately, they live this experience without stopping to think how risky it is. It can cause them terrible consequences, and although some kids only use drugs occasionally, others develop an addiction problem.
Moreover, drugs in adolescence may lead to serious results, such as suicide, crime, the transmission of sexual diseases and school dropout. Many of these adolescents have a history of drug use in the family, but some just have a low self-esteem or come from a broken home.
Psychiatrist Serapio Palma Patricio, specialist in drugs, warns that the use of drugs causes joy, disinhibition, excitement, awareness, and lack of tiredness. However, the continuous use of these substances can do exactly the opposite. Young people particularly suffer from mood change, and sadness, lack of energy and lack of motivation are the causes of it. That makes them lose interest in many activities, oversleep, not look after themselves, etc., which could make them violent before many situations they have to face.
The specialist says that these behaviors are the result of a change in the balance of the molecules that send out information to the neurons. This causes inhibition or stimulation in one’s behavior, so in a long term, micro-strokes appear in the brain, causing loss of memory.
There are many elements that contribute to drug use in adolescence, especially the need for being accepted by those “friends” who, most of the times, encourage the use of drugs. In other cases, teenagers use it to avoid feelings of insecurity and other psychological disorders, because it makes them forget about their anxiety for a moment.
Adolescents are very sensitive to their social and family surrounding, and these have a great influence on this transcending period of their lives. That is the reason why the objective intervention of the parents and people around them is a valuable support to avoid addictions. It is also what helps rescue these teenagers from the world of drugs.
Older adolescents use more drugs than younger ones, however, there are ways to prevent your children from using drugs. Be a role model for them, give them good examples and get them involved in family activities. Get to know their friends and see who could have a bad influence on them. Encourage them to live a healthy life and enroll them in a sports program, because that will keep them busy.
Adolescence is a difficult period, so you must be alert to any unusual change in your children’s behavior. You must talk to them about drugs. Remember that communication and love is the most important thing to keep in your relationship with your children.
ALFA