Drug, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention

Harmful Consequences Of Teenage Substance Abuse

Teens abusing harmful substances may decide to do so in order to cope with distressing mental and emotional conditions. Although some of these conditions may be temporary, the effects of substance abuse can last a lifetime. Such conditions include but are not limited to:

• Depression and anxiety
• Broken relationships (family, friends, and romantic relationships)
• Poor or declining health
• Difficulty maintaining self-esteem
• Grief, loss, or trauma
• Problems making friends and feeling isolated

Teens may also use illicit substances because of peer pressure or to the need to belong. Unfortunately, substance abuse can have devastating effects on individuals and their loved ones. Consequences of teen drug abuse can include legal trouble, drug addiction, poly drug use, and unwanted pregnancy.

Which Teens Are More At Risk For Addiction?

Although teens from all backgrounds abuse harsh and addictive chemicals, some teenagers are more at risk for addiction than others. Teens who struggle with depression or anxiety are more likely to dabble with chemicals for a sense of relief. Teens who are moving or transitioning between different schools may feel stressed and isolated. In turn, they may resort to a substance to distract themselves from their emotions.

The earlier drug abuse is begun, the greater the likelihood of the abuser developing a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) later in life. For example, a teen experimenting with prescription Opioids at age 16 can easily develop a tolerance. A tolerance often leads to a dependency within as little as a few weeks or months. Once the teen has developed a dependency, they may develop a full-blown SUD by the age of 20.

If the prescription Opioid of abuse has lost its luster, the teen abusing the substance may transition to a stronger, deadlier drug like Heroin. Teens who have chronic pain may also be at risk. Teens with chronic pain may have to take prescription Opioids for relief and can become addicted. Other risk factors for addiction include having a prior personal history of substance abuse or having a family history of substance abuse.

Preventative Measures For Teenage Substance Abuse

Family Influence

Prevention of drug and alcohol abuse can start at home. Parents can talk to their children and explain the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. Talking to children while they are young can create a strong foundation for awareness of drug use. This helps parents positively influence their children while also teaching their children about boundaries.

Parents help children to understand when to deny something that can hurt them. Prevention talks also create deeper bonds between children and parents. Parents can establish consistency in communication along with guidance that can be followed for years. Preventative conversations Educational Tools

There are government agencies, community leaders, and school personnel that attempt to teach children about living a drug-free life. Much of this is to prevent teen drug abuse before teens reach adulthood or go into the “real world.” As a result of these educational tools, teen drug abuse has significantly decreased from previous decades.

Educating teens on the effects of drug abuse is important. There are presently various educational programs in place for this very reason, including universal, selective, and indicated programs. Universal programs function to teach social, personal, and drug resistance techniques on a weekly basis. Selective programs are interventions for teens who may be more at risk and have unstable home lives or other risk factors. Indicated educational programs are geared toward teens

can facilitate trust between the parent and the child and lead to wise decisions when it comes to habits, friends, interests, and influences.
Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:

1. Understand how substance abuse develops. Substance abuse starts by:

• Using addictive drugs (illicit or prescribed) for recreational purposes
• Seeking out intoxication every time you use
• Abusing prescription medication

2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure. Develop healthy friendships and relationships by avoiding friends or family members who pressure you to use substances. It’s often said “we become most like those we surround ourselves by,” meaning if you surround yourself with people who abuse drugs and alcohol you are more likely to as well. Peer pressure is a major part of life for teens and adults. If you are looking to stay drug free develop a good way to just say no, prepare a good excuse or plan ahead of time to keep from giving into peer pressure.

3. Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand. If you are dealing with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder you should seek professional help from a licensed therapist or counselor. A professional will provide you with healthy coping skills to alleviate your symptoms without turning to drugs and alcohol.

4. Examine the risk factors. Look at your family history of mental illness and addiction, several studies have shown that this disease tends to run in the family, but can be prevented. The more you are aware of your biological, environmental and physical risk factors the more likely you are to overcome them.

5. Keep a well-balanced life. People often turn to drugs and alcohol when something in their life is missing or not working. Practicing stress management skills can help you overcome these life stressors and will help you live a balanced and healthy life.

Develop goals and dreams for your future. These will help you focus on what you want and help you realize that drugs and alcohol will simply get in the way and hinder you from achieving your goals.

Share these tips for avoiding and preventing substance abuse with your friends and family and help promote a healthier lifestyle free from addiction.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention

What are the Basic Prevention Strategies?
Prevention strategies targeting youth have evolved over the past 20 years as evaluation research reveals more about what works. Several strategies are used effectively, especially in combination:

Information Dissemination

This strategy provides awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, abuse, and addiction and their effects on individuals, families, and communities, as well as information to increase perceptions of risk. It also provides knowledge and awareness of prevention policies, programs, and services. It helps set and reinforce norms (for example, underage drinking and drug dealers will not be tolerated in this neighborhood).

Prevention Education
This strategy aims to affect critical life and social skills, including decision making, refusal skills, critical analysis (for example, of media messages), and systematic and judgmental abilities.

Alternatives
This strategy provides for the participation of targeted populations in activities that exclude alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by youth. Constructive and healthy activities offset the attraction to, or otherwise meet the needs usually filled by, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.

Problem Identification and Referral
This strategy calls for identification, education, and counseling for those youth who have indulged in age-inappropriate use of tobacco products or alcohol, or who have indulged in the first use of illicit drugs. Activities under this strategy would include screening for tendencies toward substance abuse and referral for preventive treatment for curbing such tendencies.

Community-Based Process
This strategy aims to enhance the ability of the community to provide prevention and treatment services to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use disorders more effectively. Activities include organizing, planning, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of services implementation, interagency collaboration, coalition building, and networking. Building healthy communities encourages healthy lifestyle choices.

Environmental Approach
This strategy sets up or changes written and unwritten community standards, code, and attitudes–influencing incidence and prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use problems in the general population. Included are laws to restrict availability and access, price increases, and community-wide actions.

Stop Addiction Before It Gets Worse

Teenage substance abuse prevention can help stop teens from developing an SUD; however, treatment is recommended for teens who already have a problem. Treatment puts teens in the care of medical professionals with tools for recovery. For instance, teens may not realize that there are underlying conditions that may encourage substance abuse; these are known as co-occurring disorders. Cutting-edge medications and therapies can be used to treat co-occurring disorders. Detox is completed under the watchful eye of a medical professional. Perhaps most importantly, therapies and peer groups encourage a feeling of health and belonging. Contact a treatment provider to locate facilities that offer teen-related treatment today.

Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.drugabuse.gov Above the Stress: http://www.abovetheinfluence.com SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/youth-young-adults .