Substance Use Disorder

Have you ever thought of experimenting alcohol or drugs simply because it 'sounds like cool' and are what all the other popular kids do? Stop! Drinking, smoking and drug-taking are not trendy AT ALL!

Substance abuse refers to a set of related conditions associated with the consumption of mind- and behaviour-altering substances that have negative behavioural and health outcomes. In simple words, it is when you take illegal substances, or too much of the legal ones that makes them being used in a wrong way.

Teen substance abuse can have long-term cognitive and behavioural effects than adults since the teenage brain is still developing – inevitably leave negative impacts on teens' health and wellbeing. Worse still, these people may have a greater risk of developing an addiction growing up.

This could lead to serious problems such as:

drug dependence
poor judgement
improper sexual relationships
mental health illness
changes in school performance

According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 2.3 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 reported using alcohol in the past month. That year, about 1.9 million youths in this age group used an illicit drug in the past month.

Common Causes of Substance Abuse in Teens

Today, half of the new drug users are adolescents under the age of 18. The most common reasons behind their actions are the followings:

Curiosity
Peer pressure
Stress
Emotional struggles
Low self-esteem or feelings of social rejection
A desire to escape
A family history of substance abuse
A mental or behavioural health condition
A history of traumatic event, such as witnessing a car accident or being a victim of abuse

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure and the desire for a sense of belonging contribute to a big part of teen drug abuse.

The 'peer' here does not only limit to your classmates at school, but people that you get in touch with on a daily basis: friends, family, even teachers. Teens may try alcohol because they saw their parents drinking or on the social media posts from the popular groups. Teens may try marijuana because their friends offered it to them. Teens may try smoking or vaping because their teachers did it, too. In fact, statistics suggest that around 60% of teens that abuse prescription drugs access drugs from or through friends and relatives.

Tips to deal with peer pressure

Learn to say 'no'
Saying 'no' to what you feel uncomfortable is not a sign of weakness but that of strength. It shows that you are determined to follow what you believe
Know when to leave the situation; Learn 'delay tatics'
If you are peer pressured at the moment, sometimes the best way to avoid any troubles is to leave the situation. Always come up with a phrase as an excuse such as "sorry, I've got to leave for _ now"
Chose positive social groups
If you figure out that the source of peer pressure comes from a social group or a circle of friends, then perhaps consider to be more socially selective. Choose a positive group that will accept the true you and respect your opinions. Chances are, you won't need to deal with those pressure ever again.
Ask for advice
Ask for advice from your trusted friends or relatives if you are at loss. Let them know your situation. Give them a chance to help you as what you would do to others

So, check in with yourself. Ask "am I feeling "okay" and willing to tell others or am I uncomfortable?" "Does it seem right to me?"

Commonly Abused Drugs

Both legal and illegal drugs have chemicals that can change how your body and mind work. They can give you a pleasurable “high,” giving you an imaginary sense of relieve, escapism, or happiness.

Alcohol

The most common substance of abuse among high school students; 20% of them reported drinking in the past 30 days.

Vaping Products

Cigarettes or e-cigs together accounts for 17.4% of teen abused substance.

The abuse could happen as early as elementary.

Marijuana

About 14.5% of adolescents reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.

This may lead to 4.2 higher risk to mental illness.

Any Illicit Drug

About 16.1% of adolescents abuse any illicit drugs in the past 30 days. In 2016, 121,000 teens received treatment for excess drug use.

Consequences of Substance Abuse: How does it affect one's brain?

Drugs have a more drastic effect on children and teens than on adults because the brain continues to develop until about age 25. As children grow older, the brain develops unevenly. The parts of the brain in charge of coordination, emotion and motivation develop much more quickly than the parts that control reasoning and impulse. That is why teens seem to respond emotionally much more often than adults. It’s also why they’re more prone to risk-taking behaviour. In addition, a developing brain is more easily damaged than a fully matured brain.

Alcohol and other drugs disrupt brain development. They negatively affect a person’s memory and ability to respond to stimuli and stressful situations. That’s why people who abuse drugs at a young age often suffer mental health problems later in life. Teenage brains, as they are chemically naive, adapt more quickly to repeated drug use, leading to cravings and dependence.

Signs & Signals

Bad academic performances
Bloodshot eyes
Laughing for no reason
Loss of interest in activities
Poor hygiene
Diminished personal appearance
Avoiding eye contact
Frequent hunger or “munchies”
Smell of smoke on breath or clothes
Secretive behaviour
Unusual tiredness
Missing curfew

Fact check: Are alternative drugs safer?

Synthetic marijuana, unlike weed, can lead to deadly overdoes. And the fact that they may contain dangerous ingredients such as bleach, fertiliser and rat poison only makes it worse.
While e-cigarettes are believed to be safer than tobacco products, they are still harmful. Whats more, studies have found that teens who smoke e-cigs are more likely than those who don’t try e-cigs to start smoking tobacco cigarettes.

Substance Abuse = Substance Use Disorder?

Substance abuse and substance addiction are different although both involve the use of drugs or chemicals. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or change their unhealthy behaviour. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease: substance use disorder. It is when people start losing control over drug intake even when the consequences emerges.

Signs & Signals

Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
Not meeting obligations and school responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Substance use disorder, also called substance (or drug) addiction, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication.

The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.

Larger doses of drugs may be needed for patients to get "high" as time passes. Intense cravings for dugs on a daily basis could lead to patients feeling physically ill. More so when you try to withdraw drug use.

Addiction Treatment for Teens

Many teens have a tough time dealing with sadness or other stresses common during adolescence. It is understandable that they may think having a drink or a little marijuana can offer relief. The best way to deal with stress, however, is to seek emotional support or find someone to talk to.

If a teen has already tried quitting or reducing substance use and failed, then it’s important to receive proper treatment ASAP. This require support and love!