(c) HealBYourself
What is Substance Abuse
As parents we should try to know as much as possible about drugs, substance abuse, substance dependence, tolerance withdrawal symptoms and addiction. Sometimes Drugs, Alcohol And Substances become the Easy Way out for a child.
Why Choosing Drugs, Alcohol And Substances Is The Easy Way Out
Adolescents today are extremely exposed to Drug and Substance abuse. With more accessibility, prevalence and somewhat promotion of using substances on web series and television, the adolescent today is susceptible to fall for this.
Drug addiction is non medical use of drugs. It has become a matter of global concern because of its impact on an adolescent’s health, family and social consequences. It leads to many criminal and legal problems.
What factors are responsible for drug and substance abuse in a young person life?
These are the following ways:
- Adolescents often lack self-control and may behave more impulsively. They experiment substances out of curiosity. Without the knowledge of the harmful effects, and the “YOLO” attitude, young people might get urges to try some alcohol, cigarettes and even drugs “just once to see what happens”. “Just once” can potentially turn into “once or twice” to “occasionally”.
- Adolescents sometime take drugs for the desire to escape from real life situations. Mood enhancing and pain subsiding drugs can be used to escape pain or loneliness.
- Parental, sibling and peer use of substances
- Easy accessibility of substances.
There are some disorders that make the persons self-esteem very low and lead to withdrawal
from the mainstreams activities in the society.
Substance abuse disorders can be:
- Loss of interest in hobbies, daily routine and sports
- Loss of appetite and body weight
- Tremors, difficulty in walking straight
- Reddening of eyes and puffiness, unclear vision
- Slurring of speech
- Nausea, vomiting
- Drowsiness, lack of sleep, feeling tired
- Depression
If an adolescent is identified with any of these symptoms of addiction they should be encouraged to meet a counsellor who can suggest the right way forward.
Early access to a counselor can help prevent advance addiction amongst children.
