Substance Abuse In Teens

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Substance Abuse in Teens Over 60 percent of teens report that drugs of some kind are kept, sold, and used at their high school. In a teen’s eye, high school is all about fitting in or being the popular one. Because of this, students succumb to peer pressure in the form of alcohol and drugs abuse. As more and more teens jump into the first years of high school, they are exposed to more social hazards. Almost 50 percent of high school seniors have abused a drug of some kind. The use of drugs and alcohol results in academic decline, physical disabilities, causes many strains between family and peers, and leads to delinquency. Prolonged drug use can further lead to serious legal problems. An addict is someone who has no control …show more content…
According to DARA Rehab Center” the symptoms of a psychological addiction include high anxiety, mental obsession with substance, mood swings, depression, restlessness, and loss of appetite” (Physical). When it comes to substance abuse most of the time the user will develop both a physical and psychological dependence (Physical). The addict will first develop a psychological dependence and this will lead them to further use the drug or alcohol until they become physically addicted to the substance (Physical). The development of an addiction or dependence on a substance can be created from many different factors (Addiction) . Many things can increase the likelihood of developing an addiction, things like gender, race, and geographical location can contribute to when and how teens begin substance abuse (Preventing). Once a teen has started using drug the development into an addiction can be greatly affected by the traits they inherit from their parents (Addiction). According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse “studies such as National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Formerly called National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, indicate that some children are already abusing drugs at age 12-13, which likely means some begin earlier (Preventing)." According to the Foundation for a Drug Free World, “In 2005 4.4 million teens ( 12-17 ) in the US admitted to taking prescription pain killers. The average age for the first time prescription drug abuser is now 13-14” (International). An addiction is not something to be taken

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