Substance Abuse
Who Is At Risk?
Individuals at risk for developing serious alcohol and drug problems include those:
- With a family history of substance abuse
- Who are depressed
- Who have low self-esteem
- Who feel like they don’t fit in or are out of the mainstream
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People use drugs for many reasons; including curiosity, because it feels good, to reduce stress, to feel grown up or to fit in. Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age increases the risk of using other drugs later and it is difficult to predict which individuals will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems. Unfortunately, because they often feel indestructible and think that serious consequences couldn’t happen to them, many children and teenagers often don’t see the link between their actions today and the consequences tomorrow.
Teens and Pre-Teens Abuse
A variety of drugs, legal and illegal:
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• Alcohol
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• Tobacco
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• OxyContin
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• Inhalants
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• MDMA (Ecstasy)
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• GHB
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• LSD
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• Heroin
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• Ritalin
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• Adderall
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• Marijuana
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• Stimulants
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• Rohypnol (Rophies)
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• Ketamine
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• Steroids
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• Methamphetamine
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• Over-the-counter cough, cold, sleep, and diet medications
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Drug use is associated with a variety of negative consequences, including increased risk of serious drug use later in life, school failure, and poor judgment which may put teens at risk for accidents, violence, unplanned and unsafe sex, and suicide. |
Warning Signs of Pre-Teen & Teen Substance Abuse
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| Social Problems |
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new friends who make poor decisions and are not interested in school or family activities |
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problems with the law |
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changes to less conventional styles in dress and music |
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| School |
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decreased interest |
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negative attitude |
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drop in grades |
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many absences |
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truancy |
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discipline problems |
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Additional information about Substance Abuse:
• University of Maryland – Drug Information
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
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