Teen Drug Addiction
August 6th 2007 02:27 pm
Teenagers are susceptible to many different types of illegal drugs. They are commonly viewed as easy targets, easily swayed by their peers. Alcohol and marijuana are normally among the first mind-altering substances abused by teens. Marijuana proponents say it is not addictive and may even be legalized. Marijuana critics, however, say it is a “gateway drug” that leads users to explore other, harder drugs – particularly users who start early in their teen years.
First time drug use may be out of a desire to gain acceptance, popularity and credibility among peers – to fit into a crowd of
people and make new friends. However, the substance’s effects can create an addictive pattern in the user. It will progress to the point where they will seek more intense and longer-lasting highs with harder, even more dangerous and addictive drugs.
There are a variety of treatment options available for teen drug addictions. However, one of the most effective methods is prevention. Parental involvement in children’s lives through active involvement, discussion, questioning about whereabouts and friends and getting to know those friends can go a long way toward preventing a drug addiction from ever forming in the first place. There have also been links established between overly indulgent parents and teen drug use. More than they need mom and dad to be friends, kids need their parents to be role models who set firm guidelines and keep behaviors in check. Though not foolproof, the temptations of drugs can be largely thwarted by that kind of discipline, along with frank discussion about smart choices in friends and the dangers of drug use.
