Many teens experiment with drugs and alcohol, which often leads to addiction. There are many harmful effects from a teen's substance abuse. A teenager's brain is still growing, and important processes in development are hindered from drug and alcohol use. Teens are vulnerable to peer-pressure, which is a major factor in a teen's substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol affect the teenager physically, mentally, and emotionally and can cause long-term health problems or death. Some teens begin using drugs and alcohol early in adolescence, which increases the risk of substance dependency.
Mental health disorders put a teen at high risk of substance abuse, as well. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems can start at an early age, lasting for years before symptoms become noticeable. A teen with mental health issues might turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to escape their feelings of depression and anxiety; unfortunately, abusing drugs and alcohol will only intensify a teenagers experience of their symptoms.
Drug and alcohol use contributes to a range of negative consequences on a teen. Teenagers are already prone to impulsive, risky, and dangerous behaviors. Abusing substances makes these potentially dangerous behaviors more likely. Since a teen's brain is still developing and growing, the brain is receiving and retaining information as the teen grows. Which means the brain will learn from the drugs and alcohol, affecting the way the brain processes. As a result, the teen will miss many opportunities to learn new skills. Many teens experience a great deficit in their cognitive functions, impairing their ability to learn and perform well in school. Thankfully, there are many therapies offered in treatment which help heal the brain while giving teens new skills for life.
Substance abuse will interfere with a teen's logical thinking rationality, and ability to weigh negative consequences. Some of the others effects from teen substance abuse can include:
- Car accidents
- Unplanned pregnancies
- Assaults
- Damaged relationships
- Delayed or missed educational opportunities
- Violent behavior
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Poor hygiene
- Depression
- Loss of interest
- Emotional problems
- Delinquent behavior
Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center offers long term residential treatment programs for addiction recovery. Our programs involve the whole family for foundation building, life cleansing change.
Call us today to start living your recovery: 662-598-4214
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