The NEGATIVE EFFECTS

of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use

     FACTS              CONSEQUENCES              DEPRESSION and SUICIDE    

  FACTS

The most widely used drugs in America are nicotine, alcohol and marijuana, and among youth ages 12-17, inhalants.  Many people who become addicted to these drugs began using them during adolescence.

Tobacco

  • The peak time for the initiation of smoking is in 6th and 7th grade and new research shows that young people exhibit serious symptoms of addiction with weeks or just days of first smoking
  • 90% of all adult smokers began at or before age 18.  However, youth who do not start using tobacco by age 18 will most likely never start.
  • Youth who smoke are 3 times more likely to use alcohol and 14 times more likely to try marijuana than non-smokers.

Alcohol

  • One 12 oz. beer has the same amount of alcohol as 1.5 oz. of distrilled spirits, or 5 oz. of wine.
  • Children of alcoholics have a 4 to 10 times greater risk of becoming alcoholics than children of non-alcoholics
  • In 2002, 1.5 million youth ages 12-17 met criteria for admission to alcohol treatment.
  • Alcohol can cause changes in the struction and function of teens' brains.

Marijuana

  • The potency of marijuana today can be much stronger than that used in the 1970's.  THC, the principal intoxicating chemical, is stored for weeks in the fatty tissues of hte body, including the brain.
  • Most affected are the centers of the brain that regulate a person's highest levels of cognitive functioning and behavior.
  • Marijuana has serious harmful effects on the skills needed to drive safely: alterness, the ability to concentrate, and to react quickly.
  • Young people who use marijuana weekly have double the risk of depression later in life.

Inhalants

  • 17% of eighth graders have used inhalants at least once.
  • Inhalants can be fatal on the first use or cause permanent damage ot the brain, central nervous system or other organs.
  • Young teens may inhale common household substances such as aerosol propellants (spray starch), cleaning solvents, gasoline, glue, or pain thinners because they are inexpensive and easy to get.

      CONSEQUENCES

Arrested emotional and psychological development.  A major task of teens is to grow into responsible adults.  They need to learn how to accept and handle their emotions - how to celebrate and how to deal with disappointment.  Teens learn these skills through trial and error and repeition over time.  Alcohol and other drug use short-circuits this entire process and stunts normal development that may cause users to fail to complete goals regarding education, employment, marriage, and financial independence.

Car crashes.  Alcohol and other drugs reduce a person's normal reaction time, increasing the changes of crashes.  Driving under the influence or having passengers who are drunk can result in the loss of driver's license and insurance coverage.

Confusion.  Parents who allow their kids to drink or use other drugs are unintentionally sending the message, "I don't care about you" or "I'm not willing to do whatever it takes to protect you."  Schools and the media stress the dangers, but peer pressure and advertising can encourage kis to try these substances.  Parents'  admissions about their own teenage alcohol/drug use may only add to the confusion.

Date rape typically occurs because one or both parties are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.  Date rape is a crime.  To have sex with a person who is mentally or physically incapable of saying "no" or is unaware of what is happening is to commit rape.  Teens think that a potential rapist is someone who is a crazy guy, yet date rape happens on dates with students who are popular, good-looking and smart regardless of race or economic status.  Pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases may result due to loss of judgment and lowered inhibitions.

Hazing is pressuring another to engage in any kind of undignified act, or participating in a phycial assault under the guise of "a rite of initiation", "recognition" or "payback".  Alcohol can be involved.  Students found responsible for hazing incidents have been expelled from schools, banned from their sports, and even criminally prosecuted.

Lost opportunities may include suspension/expulsion from school, rejection for summer or full time employment as corporations require passing drug tests, risk of arrest and fines.

Tobacco risks.  Nicotine is a subtle but highly effective activator of addition processes in adolescent brains.  Consequences include a decrease in physical performance, shortness of breath, gum disease, persistent coughs, greater susceptability to illness, tooth decay, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

    DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE

Depression.  Many young people suffer from depression.  Those under stress, who experience loss, or who have attention disorders are at a higher risk.  Depression tends to run in families.  Depressed children may be morelikely to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs as a way to feel better.

Depression is definited as an illness when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a person's ability to function.  Having depression doesn't mean tha ta person is seak, or a failure, or isn't really trying.  It mean they have a medical illness that is treatable.  Let your children know that you love them and will work with them through their treatment.

Warning signs of teen depression.

It is estimated that 65-75% of teens who abuse substances have coexisting depression, anxiety disorders or other mental illnesses.

Signs that may be associated with depression in adolscents

Althought it is common for teens to experience frequent mood swings, your teen may be experiences a form of depression if clusters of the following thoughts, feelings and behaviors persist for two weeks or longer.  Prompt identification and treatment of depression can reduce its duration and severity.

  • Sadness that won't go away
  • Sullen, silent, withdrawn behavior
  • Persistent "boredom"
  • Frequent vague, non-specific psychical complaints such as headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches or tiredness
  • Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
  • Talk of or effects to run away from home
  • Outbursts of shouting, complaining, or crying
  • Unexplained irratibility, anger, hostility; reckless or rebellious behavior
  • Alcohol or substance abuse
  • Extreme sensivitiy to rejection or failure
  • Feelings of hopelessness/worthlessness
  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits
  • Lack of interest in haging out with friends; loss of interest in activities
  • Social isolation, poor communication, difficulty in relationships
  • Reocurring thoughts of death or suicide

Suicide.  More than 5,000 teens commit suicide each year.  Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youths aged 15 to 24 and is often associated with alcohol and other drug use and depression.  Most teen suicides take place at home in the late afternoon or evening with family members present.

Get Help!  depression increased the risk for suicide.  It is not true that those who about suicide do not attempt it.  Suicidal thoughts, remark, or attempts are ALWAYS SERIOUS.  Seek help from the family doctor, counselor, social worker, or persons or agencies specializing in suicide prevention.  It is better to be safe than sorry.

If suicide appears to be imminent, ACT.  Do not waste time feeling guilty, angry or upset.  Call 911 or a suicide or crisis intervention hotline, the psychiatric unit at your local hospital or the family doctor.  Do not wait for a return phone call.  If you cannot reach teh first person, call someone else.  Never just wait to see if your child feels better in the morning.