Substance Abuse Among Teenagers And Adolescents - 1703 Words

According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), substance abuse among teenagers and adolescents is transforming into America’s number one public health problem, as numbers of high school and college students abusing drugs and alcohol are on the rise (2011). In a national survey done by CASA at Columbia University, they found that 75 percent of high school students have used an addictive substance. In addition, 46 percent of high school students reported currently using an addictive substance, and approximately 12 percent of high school students were discovered to meet the clinical diagnosis criteria for substance abuse disorder (2011). This epidemic is the most costly public health problem in America today. Annually, $68 billion is spent toward underage drinking and $14.4 billion is spent toward juvenile justice programs that are substance abuse related. Federal, local, and state governments are spending an average of $468 billion each year on substance abuse, which is the equivalent of $1,500 for each person in the country. Substance abuse disorders most often begin in the adolescent years, with 90 percent of those meeting the criteria for substance abuse disorder reporting using substances for the first time prior to the age of 18 (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 2011). However, while substance abuse is the most expensive public health problem America faces today, unlike so many other health problems,Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Substance Abuse Among Adolescents1296 Words   |  6 Pages Substance abuse has become a notable public health threat to today’s adolescents. Substance abuse is associated with an array of behavioral and psychological consequences that can jeopardize the future of the young people. Lifelong dependence is another possible consequence of drug abuse among adolescents. Ultimately, counselors are supposed to come up with effective programs to address addiction issues among the adolescents to prevent them from relying on drugs in future. Counselors rely onRead MoreDrug Abuse And Addiction Among Teenagers1704 Words   |  7 PagesStudies have shown that prescription drug abuse and addiction among teenagers is on a steady incline. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, â€Å"prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, of for the experience or feelings elicited.† This is a pervasive problem that is in fact consuming the lives of many teens, primarily because prescription drugs are easily accessible in their environment. There are several interpersonalRead MoreSubstance Abuse Among Teenagers : A Survey1201 Words   |  5 PagesSubstance Abuse Among Teenagers Hannah is a fifteen year old girl who was recently sent to a rehabilitation center for the result of abuse of prescription medication. 6.1 million high school students currently use addictive substances, and like Hannah, 1 in 3 of them are addicted (â€Å"National Study Reveals,†2011). Although the number of teens using these drugs are decreasing, the numbers are still dangerously high. Due to it’s high risk of addiction, dangerous consequences, and growing availabilityRead MoreTeenage Drug Abuse Essay982 Words   |  4 PagesTeenage drug abuse is an issue that can result from a wide variety of social influences, stressful events, and mental disorders. Drug abuse among adolescents is a troubling issue because it decreases focus, increases the chance of consistency in behavior during adulthood, increases the chances of developing emotional issues, permanently damages the brain, and damages tissues in every system that can lead to death. Previous scientific research has identified that social factors, including the mediaRead MoreA Period When Many Developmental Changes Are Occurring.1608 Words   |  7 Pagesa period when many developmental changes are occurring. This is the time when a young person’s intellectual capacities expand and their friends and peers become extremely influential. Not only does adolescent usage of marijuana has been linked to a range of developmental and social problems, but also early initiation of this highly addictive drug use can have a negative impact on memory, attention and learning, school performance, problematic behavior, increased risk of mental health issues, andRead MoreAdolescent Drug Abuse1306 Words   |  6 PagesAdolescent Drug Abuse I.) Introduction: Crack, booze, pot, crystal- from the inner city to the suburbs to small towns, the world of the adolescent is permeated by drugs. When a little harmless experimentation becomes addiction, parents, teachers, and clinicians are often at a loss. For this age group (roughly ages 13 to 23), traditional substance abuse programs simply are not enough (Nowinski, inside cover). Today s society provides many challenges for adolescents that ourRead MoreAdolescent Drug Abuse And Alcohol1426 Words   |  6 PagesDrug Abuse Adolescent Drug Abuse and Alcohol Nyria Madison Liberty University Coun 620 Abstract Around the world we are finding that most adolescent are experiencing drugs and alcohol. This has been a huge issue for years. This has become a trend in society as of today. This paper will discuss the perspective of adolescent alcohol and drugs. This paper will also identify and inform you on the common predictors of adolescent substance abuse. SubstanceRead MoreThe Effects Of Addiction On Adolescent Development1302 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Addiction on Adolescent Development Adolescence is a time where adolescents grow and mature at a rapid rate. It is also a time where adolescents are more vulnerable to taking risks, such as using and becoming addicted to illegal substances, due to raging hormones. Whether or not an adolescent chooses to engage in drug use and abuse depends on their home environment and those they choose to associate themselves with. Adolescents are confronted with an enormous amount of pressure toRead MoreThe Effects Of Drug Abuse On Adolescents957 Words   |  4 PagesThe majority of all of us will go through the teenage stage and being a teenager is extremely complex and a difficult phase. Teenagers experience physiological, social, emotional and psychological changes. All of these changes are going to be shaped uniquely by the teenager’s unique genetic composition, brain development, environment, cultural background and the community influences around them. During brain development teenagers are likely to seek out new exper iences that can lead to risky behaviorRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse : Drug And Free World1508 Words   |  7 Pagesaged 12 to 17 abuse a prescription pain reliever for the first time (â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – Overdoes Deaths – Drug-Free World,†n.d.) A 2007 survey in the United States found that 3.3% of 12 to 17 years olds and 6% of 17 to 25 year olds had abused prescription drugs in the past month (â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – Overdoes Deaths – Drug-Free World,†n.d.) Prescription drug abuse causes the largest percentage of deaths from drug overdoses (â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics