(Picture of a group of teens taking to each other – ©Getty Images/Ridofranz)
Between the ages of 12 to 17, many have said that they have consumed drugs at least once in their life. Consuming medications/drugs long term can be the cause of many physical and mental risks such as becoming dependent on them, overdose, diseases, and difficulties with daily life.
Taking drugs and abusing the use of them can cause many consequences that many people don’t realize until they have become completely dependent on them. Many adolescents become addicted to drugs due to stress, peer pressure, being influenced, misuse of medication, and even family history can affect them. Some side effects of drug use include:
- Overdose
- Doing things on drugs you don’t normally do
- Suicidal thoughts
- Addiction – using them even when it makes things more difficult
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
Some teens have said that because of drug abuse, their grades have been going down and schools have said that drug use has become the main cause of the increased number of students dropping out. Not only do drugs put you at risk, but it puts others around you at risk as well. It has been shown that driving under drug influence is one of the main causes of car accidents.
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Consequences of Drug Abuse
Difference between 12th grade students & 12th grade aged youths who had dropped out of high school is the significant of .05 level
Source SAVHISA, Center for Behavioral Health statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug use and Health, 2002 to 2010 (revised March 2012).
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If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse, there are many resources to help.
Some Resources For Help:
CALL OR TEXT 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) available 24/7
CALL 1-800-662-4357 (SAMHSA National Helpline)
https://www.warecoveryhelpline.org/
https://www.learnabouttreatment.org
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/substance-use/index.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112
