Drug intake; getting high, a veritable burden

As youths, embodied by exuberance, it is common place to see this generation of people try to experiment all they see and hear of; alcohol, night clubs, sex and even drugs. Drug in take within the youths can have serious consequences on the health and life as a whole now, and much into adult hood.

There are so many symptoms of drug abuse in the youth, ranging from; stealing, mood swing, depression, poor hygiene, violent behaviors, and loss of interest in favorite activities. However the effects of drug abuse on teens are mostly negative, as seen below:

* Emotional problems. Drug abuse can cause or mask emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, suicidal thoughts and schizophrenia. In fact, among teens with major depression, 34.6 percent report using drugs. Unfortunately, drug use can also increase the severity of these emotional problems. For example, teens that use marijuana weekly double their risk of depression and anxiety.

* Behavioral problems. Teens who abuse drugs have an increased risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and violence. According to a recent survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, teens who abuse drugs are more likely than teens who don’t abuse drugs to engage in delinquent behaviors such as fighting and stealing.

* Risky sex. Teens that use drugs are five times more likely to have sex than teens who don’t use drugs. Teens that use drugs are also more likely to have unprotected sex and have sex with a stranger. This leads to higher risks of STDs, teen pregnancy and sexual assault.

* Learning problems. Drug abuse damages short-term and long-term memory and can lead to problems with learning and memory later in life.

* Brain damage. Drug abuse among teens can result in serious mental disorders or permanent, irreversible damage to the brain or nervous system. Brain damage among teens who abuse drugs includes brain shrinkage; impaired learning abilities; amnesia and memory problems; impaired reasoning, perception and intuition; increased or decreased socialization; and changes in sexual desire.

Source: https://casapalmera.com/blog/the-effects-of-drug-abuse-on-