Teens are more likely get involved in risky behavior due to their perceived social advantages (peer pressure or feeling accepted) without taking into consideration the negative consequences to their health. If you are concerned about teen substance abusein a teenager's life, speak to an expert in treatment for advice and guidance.

The many health effects of Teen Substance abuse

Drug abuse is a risk for anybody of any age. Teens are more at risk than others because their bodies and minds are developing. There are many health effects of teen substance abuse the majority of which are negative.

The Reasons Teenage Brains Are At Risk of Addiction

Since many years researchers have been studying the brain and how it changes over time. Some studies focus on changes that take place during teens. The time leading up to puberty are full of many psychological and biological changes. As physical changes happen, the teen's brain also develops , but at different rates. The brain's pleasure center develops more quickly than the parts which are accountable for risk analysis and plan. This is why teens can often be risk-takers who do not realize the consequences of their actions. Experimentation with drugs and alcohol is common throughout these formative times and can cause lasting harm to the health of a teenager. This book on addiction prevention could help to prevent the use of drugs by teens.

The development of the brain in adolescence

Researchers found that adolescents have a substantial growth in physical and intellectual growth. As one gets older, certain brain functions develop at different speeds. When the brain is at its full physical size around 11-14 years of age, it does not finish maturing until your mid-to-late-20s. Prefrontal cortex, also referred to as the front area of the brain, is the most recent part of the brain that develops. This region is responsible for making choices, prioritizing and controlling impulses.

A variety of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, can develop from these major brain changes. Teenage brains require more sleep than adults and children which can be disturbed by substance abuse. Lack of sleep can decrease one's focus and can cause a rise in impulsivity, irritability and depression. Teens will often turn to drugs to either experiment or deal with their problems and both can have both immediate and lasting effects on a child's health.

The Reasons Substance Abuse is Negative For The Brain

The teen years are a time when healthy behavior years is crucial for the growth and maintaining a healthy brain. Drug and alcohol use can affect a teenager's health in the short term, and also slow down or prevent growth and development of the mind and body. Many factors will affect a teen's decision to try drugs and that includes the genetic disposition, personality traits as well as mental health conditions and of course, their surroundings. Teens who witness the effects of emotional abuse, violence, or drug use within their family tend to abuse drugs.

Teen brain damage by drug abuse

Reduce your ability to experience pleasure

Interfering with neurotransmitters.

The brain's connections are susceptible to damage.

Creating memory loss.

Lowering IQ or learning potential.

Increased risk of drug abuse.

Teenage drinking and the effects it has on teens

Although alcohol consumption is not permitted for those who are under 21, research shows that 10% of the alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed by teens between 12 and 20. Two-thirds (or more) of students in 12th grade have been forced to drink alcohol. Teens are also known to overindulge in drinks because they are less vulnerable than adults to the adverse effects of intoxication. However, research also shows that teens may be more sensitive to alcohol's harmful effects. Excessive drinking in teens can cause:

Delayed puberty

Negative effects on the reproductive system

Increased levels of liver enzymes

Liver damage

Lower bone mineral density

Growth potential is reduced and shorter limbs

A majority of people who begin drinking after the age 14 develop a dependence or develop into alcoholics. The abuse of alcohol can cause harm to the body and can lead to other risky behaviors such as reckless driving and unprotected sexual activities. Alcohol-related injuries cause approximately 4300 deaths per year in the United States.

Teenage smoking and its effects

Teens are more likely to smoke cigarettes and alcohol, as well as marijuana. Between 9th-12th grade, about half the students reported that they had tried marijuana. Nearly 4 percent of them admitted to having tried cigarettes. Although smoking marijuana is well-known to cause many negative consequences, the majority of people who regularly smoke began smoking before age 18. E-cigarettes have become more popular among teenagers However, users breathe the same amount of nicotine as the regular cigarette.

Tobacco and nicotine use can cause addiction as well as lung cancer, breathing problems, and damage to vital organs. People who smoke marijuana before age 18 are four to seven times as likely to be diagnosed with teen substance abuse. Research has shown that marijuana use has been linked with an increased risk of mental illnesses like depression and can dull a person's attention, memory, and learning skills. In comparison to teenagers who do not smoke marijuana, those who do smoke are less likely to finish school.