A Dissemination & Train the Leaders Program by Parents, for Parents
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Drugs and Teen Use What Schools Can Do What Parents Can Do What Parent Volunteers Can Do What Parent Leaders Can Do |
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Youth Drug Use
Harms Associated with Problem Use
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Harms Associated with Youth Drug UseSubstance use during adolescence – even experimental or occasional social use – can divert attention from the important tasks of adolescence, such as academic work, goal setting and developing leisure pursuits. Young people who use drugs more heavily may not learn how to effectively solve problems, handle their emotions, and develop healthy relationships. When young people (and adults) use substances, they are exposing themselves to a range of harms. Each substance has particular harms associated with it; however following is a summary of the harms linked to substance use. Safety concerns: Intoxication by any drug puts a person in a vulnerable position in terms of safety. Most substances (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines) if taken at sufficient doses, have an effect on judgment and motor coordination, which makes any kind of physical activity, such as playing sports or using equipment or machinery, very dangerous. When using LSD and other hallucinogens, a person does not perceive their surroundings as they really exist, with obvious implications for their safety and that of others. A major safety issue with all of the illegal substances is simply not knowing whether a substance is what it is presented as. Drug-related accidents are more likely to occur with young, inexperienced users. Physical health problems: It makes sense that, when introducing a foreign substance into a person’s body on a regular basis over a longer period of time, it may well have an affect on the body. In some cases, these effects appear to fade or reverse when a person stops using (e.g., tobacco); in some cases it’s not clear that the effects are reversible (e.g., methamphetamine); while in other cases, such as with anabolic steroids, some of the effects are clearly not reversible The way a drug is used will determine the nature of long-term health problems. For example, longer term smoking of substances such as tobacco, cannabis, and free-base cocaine, have a definite impact on the respiratory system, while drug injection places a person at high risk for a blood borne disease such as Hepatitis or HIV. The liver is an organ that bears the brunt of much drug use, because its job is to metabolize waste into less toxic forms, so use of various substances (for example, ecstasy, anabolic steroids and alcohol) are known to cause liver problems. Now, the liver is one of those organs that is a bit difficult to relate to, but it’s impossible to live without! Mental health problems: It is well known that people with mental health problems may, at times, use substances to “self-medicate” their condition. While this, no doubt, provides welcomed immediate relief in some cases, it is ultimately self-defeating. This is because the substance use will likely aggravate mental health problems due to the highs and lows of intoxication followed by coming down (i.e., withdrawal) – a pattern which is often accompanied by depression and anxiety. Self-medicating will also likely distract a person from taking more useful steps, such as developing personal coping skills or seeking professional therapy. Some longer-term substance use seems to be even more clearly linked to mental health problems. Cannabis use is an example, in that it has been shown to set off schizophrenic episodes in users that are predisposed to schizophrenia. Similarly, “amphetamine psychosis”, an episode similar to paranoid schizophrenia can occur with some chronic amphetamine users. Cognitive problems: Beyond distracting young people from the important tasks of growing up mentioned above (e.g., developing an identity, learning coping skills) that require cognitive functioning, some substance use has a clear negative effect on various elements of cognitive functioning. For example, even short-term cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy use have been shown to have an effect on short-term memory and the ability to concentrate. Violence and crime: The relationship between substance use and violence is complicated and not fully understood (e.g., to what extent does alcohol “pull the trigger” when an intoxicated person uses a gun). However, it should not be surprising that many acts of violence occur under the influence of a substance, given that many substances have the effect of reducing inhibition and judgment. Alcohol is the substance with the strongest link with violent acts. For example, it is generally agreed that about 40-50% of violent crimes by Canadian federal inmates were committed under the influence of alcohol. A study in Ontario found that the aggressor used alcohol in 50% of spousal assault cases and 38% of child abuse cases. In the case of illegal drugs, much of the violence is linked to the fact that these drugs are part of a world (most of it controlled by organized crime) where violence is part of doing business. Also, the high cost of most illegal drugs means that drug dependent persons often need to commit crimes to acquire the money to purchase these substances. Most crimes of this nature are not violent, however some are. Overdose: While it is not possible to overdose on some substances (e.g., cannabis, LSD), and rare in others (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines), it is a definite possibility with others, such as heroin and PCP. In the case of heroin and other opiates, the risk of overdose increases with use as increased tolerance requires greater dosages to obtain the same effect. Mixing drugs can greatly increase the possibility of overdose. For example, large quantities of tranquillizers on their own would be required to bring about a fatal overdose, however many fewer would be required when mixed with alcohol or another CNS Depressant. The way that a drug is administered will help determine the likelihood of an overdose, with for example, injection holding a much greater risk than swallowing. A concern with all illegal drugs is not knowing what ingredients are in the drug. Drug dependence: Drug dependence is defined as continued compulsive use of a substance even in the face of growing problems in a number of life areas (e.g., work, family, legal problems). Even though dependence has been studied for many years, it is still not fully understood why a person continues to use a substance even when experiencing various problems as a direct result of the drug use. Some drugs, such as alcohol, tobacco and heroin can clearly produce a state of physical dependence, whereas others such as LSD cannot. Physical dependence provides one explanation for why some people continue to use substances: to avoid the unpleasant withdrawal effects that arise when use is stopped. However, all substances used for their mood-altering effect – whether they produce a physical dependence or not – have a “reinforcing effect” in the brain. Sometimes this is referred to as psychological dependence or craving, and it refers to the fact that a person experiences the sensation of pleasure when using these substances, and this experience “reinforces” or creates a motivation to repeat the experience. So, even though cannabis, ecstasy and amphetamines are not physically addictive, a powerful psychological desire to continue use can develop, and this may have almost as much to do with the lifestyle associated with use as with the properties of the drug. |
Key Resources What are the warning signs of an alcohol or other drug problem, and how do I find help? (Canadian Health Network) Stages of Adolescent Substance Abuse (Newfoundland Health) What are the warning signs of a gambling problem, and how do I find help? (Canadian Health Network) How bad is my kids drinking or drug use? (AADAC) What are the effects of alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy? (Canadian Health Network) (Canadian Health Network)
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