Responding To Teen Substance Use: Why Is It Important To Recognize And Deal With Teen Substance Use

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Why is it important to recognize and deal with teen substance use?

Many parents believe that teen substance use is just part of growing up and is not a problem unless it "gets out of hand." It is true that most teens do not have problems after experimenting with alcohol, cigarettes, inhalants, or other drugs. However, all substances abused by teens stimulate the part of the brain that regulates pleasure, memory, learning, and emotions. The effects cause changes in a teen's alertness, perceptions, movement, judgment, and attention, making the teen more likely to:

• Engage in high-risk behaviors. Alcohol and drug use is a leading cause of death and disability from automobile accidents, suicide, violence, and drowning. Unprotected sex can lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
• Use other drugs. Teens who use one substance are more likely to use others. Alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana are considered gateway drugs because teens who use these substances are more likely to begin using other drugs.
• Be involved in violent crime or homicide.
• Commit suicide.
• Have difficulty at school or even drop out of school.
• Have legal problems, which may lead to jail sentences.
• Suffer health problems as a direct consequence of drug use. Heavy use of some drugs, such as ecstasy or methamphetamine, may cause permanent brain damage. In rare cases, even casual or first-time use of drugs such as inhalants, cocaine, or heroin can lead to sudden death.

Teen substance use can progress from occasional use (experimenting) to regular or frequent use (abuse) and physical and/or psychological dependence (addiction). If dependence develops, the teen may have problems maturing, resulting in difficulty establishing personal identity, forming healthy relationships, gaining physical and emotional independence, and preparing for the future.

The most serious consequence of teen substance use is the risk of addiction. Teens are at high risk for early development of addiction, especially if they start using drugs at a young age. In adults, addiction to a substance usually develops slowly, but a teen may rapidly progress from occasional use to addiction. Alcohol and drug dependency require treatment for the person to stop using the substance. Recognizing the risk factors and signs of substance use can help you deal with a problem early, decreasing your teen's risk for becoming addicted.

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Last updated:	September 13, 2006
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Yifrah Kaminer, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman