Drug use in adolescence is the cause of many mental health problems at this stage of life and also in later stages. For example, a teen with a drug-related disorder is more likely to have mood problems, anxiety, learning problems, or behavioral problems.
Keep in mind that when a teen is at their limit, what they’re looking for is a quick fix, whatever it is, to feel immediate relief, he’s tired of hearing from adults what he or she can and should do. Alcohol or drug use gives them this opportunity, which often leads to what is called comorability or associated morbidity.
- Comobility is a condition in which a person suffers from more than one mental illness simultaneously; most of the time.
- These diseases need to be treated and treated individually.
- One of the most common forms of associated diseases is substance abuse and depression.
- Especially among adolescents.
The interesting thing about this is that drug use is not always the starting point for another mental illness, but another disease can be a risk factor for its use, for example, a mood or anxiety disorder can lead a teen to use drugs as a means. of “self-medication. “
In comorability, there is also an interaction between the two diseases, so one aggravates the symptoms of the other and usually results in a worsening of the symptoms themselves.
Addiction is a chronic and recurrent disease characterized by the demand and compulsive use of these substances, despite knowledge of their harmful consequences, is considered a mental illness because drugs alter the structure and functioning of the brain, severely conditioning and limiting the functioning of the patient. Life.
Addiction fundamentally alters the brain, altering the normal hierarchy of needs and desires and replacing them with new priorities related to obtaining and using drugs.
The resulting compulsive behaviors weaken the ability to control impulses despite negative consequences. These behaviors are similar to the basic characteristics of other mental illnesses.
Although the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, continued use of these substances affects a person’s ability to control themselves and can be severely affected. This deterioration of self-control is the mark of dependence.
Brain imaging studies of dependents show physical changes in areas of the brain that are essential for judgment, decision-making, learning and memory, as well as for controlling behavior. Scientists believe these changes are altering brain function and can help explain how addictive and destructive they are. Behaviors.
Drug abuse and other mental illnesses have much in common, including several causes. Risk factors that can lead to drug abuse and mental instability in adolescents include:
According to the University of Rochester, the human brain does not fully develop until around the age of 25, in fact, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and emotional control, is still in development.
Until then, adolescents and young adults seek acceptance and ways to impress others without considering the consequences, always inclined to make impulsive decisions, without linking emotions and reason, which makes them particularly susceptible to developing multiple mental health problems.
Verbal or physical abuse during childhood and adolescence can leave physical and emotional scars, young people who have been victims of this abuse will seek any way to eliminate the pain they have suffered, even long after having suffered.
Scarring caused by abuse is often accompanied by low self-esteem, disappointment, paranoia and even suicidal thoughts, which does not exactly facilitate reflection on the harm that addiction does to the body, but quite the opposite.
Statistics have shown that when children are exposed to drugs and/or alcohol, they are more likely to develop addiction problems. Just let them see the people in their nearest circle.
Drug or alcohol use can be a contributing factor to mental instability, especially at an early age, as drugs can disrupt the development of young people’s neurological systems and how they respond to stress.
The environment constantly puts pressure on young people about what they should and should not do. Parents, teachers and the media put pressure on teenagers, who everywhere feel compelled to become perfect people.
All this pressure is undoubtedly a contributing factor to young people’s feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem, leading to an internal, constant and unnecessary battle of self-defense that can lead to addictions, depression and suicidal thoughts or tendencies. it is impossible to please everyone, however, teenagers are still learning.
Early drug use increases a person’s chances of becomes addicted. Preventing early use of drugs or alcohol can make a big difference in reducing these risks. If we can stop young people from trying drugs, we can prevent addiction.
The risk of drug abuse increases during the transition. In early adolescence, when children move from elementary to high school, they face new and difficult social and school situations.
During this period, for the first time, children are exposed to substances conducive to abuse (such as tobacco or alcohol). Upon entering high school, teens have the closest channels of access to medications and it is not uncommon for them to end up witnessing their use.
At the same time, many normal developmental behaviors, such as a desire to try new things or take greater risks, can increase your tendency to try drugs. Others may think that using drugs improves their physical experience or intellectual or athletic performance, reducing their anxiety in certain social situations.
On the other hand, adolescents’ ability to exercise good judgment and make decisions is still developing and may limit their ability to accurately assess the risks of all these forms of drug use.