how drug and substance abuse affects adolescent well-being and behavior
There is no more critical stage in the development of a human being than during adolescence. The same period coincides with the teenage years of young adults, that is, between 13-19 years. These years constitute the years of self-discovery for the individual. The teenagers become more aware and sensitive to their environment. Their proclivity to experiment is increased manifold. This paper aims to research how drug and substance abuse affects adolescent well-being and behavior.
In the spirit of experimentation and under the influence of peer pressure, most, if not all, adolescents abuse drugs such as alcohol and marijuana at some point in their adolescent years. Statistics indicate that of all new users of drugs, half of them are below the age of 18 (NIDA, 2014). These teens are pushed into using drugs due to emotional scuffles that are synonymous with age, the feeling of curiosity, influence from friends, adults, and the messaging of lyrics in songs, among others. The abuse of drugs during this age is severe and fatal because it is likely to cause addiction going forward as the adolescent’s brain is still developing (Cacciola et al., 2015). Therefore, parents and other stakeholders need to respond to suspected cases of drug use and abuse among teenagers with the necessary attention.
Adolescents need help to navigate the murky course of teenager years. It is incumbent upon educators, health workers, juvenile workers, parents, and other persons to be equipped with skills and strategies on how to screen adolescents to detect instances of drug abuse. They may rely on some of the signs and symptoms associated with teenage drug use. These include a sudden occurrence of poor grades, poor concentration and loss of interest in some activities, cases of truancy, deterioration of personal hygiene and appearance, as well as the presence of smoke odor in-breath and clothes. The most used strategy involves screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) (NIDA, 2014). The first component includes a periodic physical examination of adolescents to identify cases of drug abuse. The second part of the strategy comprises of a conversation between the adolescent and the professional screener. The discourse between the screener and the teenager should be tailored to the prevalence of drug use identified by the screener. For instance, a non-user should be encouraged to stay away from drugs while a user ought to be counseled to abandon the behavior by highlighting the adverse effects of drug use. The final stage of the plan is to refer the adolescent to treatment. This is suitable in cases of a high prevalence of drug use that has occasioned a health risk to the adolescent.
The screeners need to ask questions about the environment of the adolescent, more so their family set up to contextualize the behavior of the individual. Furthermore, the screener needs to protect the confidentiality of their discussions with the adolescent. Information gathered from these interactions needs to be guarded, and the professional may be guided by the medical minor confidentiality laws of their respective state in deciding whether to disclose crucial information about the patient. By assuring the patient of the confidentiality of their discussions, the adolescent is likely to open up, thus making easy the treatment process.
In concluding, the relevant authorities have to prioritize the prevention of cases of drug use among adolescents. As alluded to, the predisposing factors to drug use among teenagers include emotional problems, the peer pressure factor, the easy availability of drugs, and the curiosity impulse (Gray & Squeglia, 2018). Parents, guardians, and educators should be at hand to guide the children during their formative years. They should offer support in the mental and psychological growth of the children so that they fully develop their cognitive and emotional faculties. Further, they should counsel the adolescents about their physical, psychological, and emotional growth during this critical age, and sensitize them against the effects of drug use. Consequently, adolescents will be better equipped to deal with teenage impulses, including drug use.