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Drug use — or misuse — covers:
| Examples | |
|---|---|
| Illegal substances | anabolic steroids, club drugs, cocaine, heroin, inhalants, cannabis (marijuana), methamphetamines |
| Misusing prescription medicines, including opioids | taking someone else's prescription; taking a bigger dose than prescribed; using it differently — crushing tablets to snort or inject instead of swallowing; using it for another purpose, such as getting high |
| Misusing over-the-counter medicines | using them for another purpose or in a different way than intended |
Why young people are at special risk
The brain keeps growing and developing until the mid-20s — especially the prefrontal cortex, which handles decisions. Drugs taken young can:
- interfere with that development
- affect decision-making, making risky behavior — such as unsafe sex and dangerous driving — more likely
- raise the odds of continuing to use and becoming addicted later: the earlier someone starts, the greater the risk
- contribute to adult health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and sleep disorders
What young people use most
Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. More young people have recently started vaping tobacco and cannabis, and much about vaping's dangers is still unknown — some people have become very ill or even died after vaping. Young people should avoid vaping.
Why they start
| Reason | |
|---|---|
| To fit in | to be accepted by friends or peers who use |
| To feel good | drugs can produce pleasure |
| To feel better | seeking relief from depression, anxiety, stress-related disorders or physical pain |
| To do better | stimulants for studying; anabolic steroids for sports |
| To experiment | chasing new, thrilling or daring experiences |
Who is most at risk
- stressful early experiences — child abuse, child sexual abuse and other trauma
- genetics
- exposure to alcohol or drugs before birth
- little parental supervision
- friends or peers who use drugs
Signs of a problem
- Friends and habits: changing friends a lot; spending lots of time alone; losing interest in favorite things
- Self-care: not showering, changing clothes or brushing teeth; eating more or less than usual
- Mood and energy: being very tired and sad; being unusually energetic, talking fast or not making sense; bad moods; swinging quickly between feeling bad and good
- Responsibilities: missing important appointments; trouble at school — missed classes, bad grades; problems in relationships
- Other: lying and stealing; memory lapses, poor concentration, poor coordination, slurred speech
Prevention works
Drug use and addiction can be prevented. Programs involving families, schools, communities and the media — with education and outreach on the risks — can prevent or reduce drug use. Parents can help through:
| Good communication | with your children |
| Encouragement | building confidence and a strong sense of self, while encouraging cooperation and reducing conflict |
| Problem-solving skills | taught to your children |
| Setting limits | teaching self-control and responsibility, giving safe boundaries, and showing you care |
| Supervision | spotting problems early, promoting safety and staying involved |
| Knowing their friends |
Sources
Based on "Drugs and Young People," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, with a summary from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH); a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licenza: CC0 1.0 (pubblico dominio) · Tratto da medlineplus.gov
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