This article talks about the problem of substance abuse among adolescents, as it focuses on the warning signs that can indicate that a teenager is using drugs, including changes in behavior, personality, and academic performance.
The article also discusses rapid intervention strategies that can be applied to deal with this problem, including talking with the teenager directly and seeking help available in the community. .
Why does a teenager resort to drug use?
Psychological and emotional pressures: Some adolescents suffer from psychological and emotional pressures such as anxiety, depression, stress and loneliness, and they may resort to drug use to relieve these pressures. Curiosity: Curiosity can lead some teens to try drugs, especially if they think it will make them more popular or give them a new experience. Social pressure: Teens can feel social pressure to use, especially if they are with friends who use. Desire for a challenge: Some teens may want to explore and be challenged, and they may view using as a challenge that they can do. Family: The family can be an influencing factor in adolescent abuse, especially if there was previous drug abuse in the family or difficult family circumstances. Media: Media can influence teens and make them believe that using is acceptable or encourage use.
Any sign of adolescent abuse must be dealt with seriously, talked to them about the reasons that prompted them to do so, and provided the necessary support and assistance to find alternative and healthy solutions to deal with psychological and social problems.
Warning signs of substance abuse in adolescents
Behavior and personality change: If you notice a change in your teen’s behavior and personality, such as reluctance to go out with friends or withdraw. Academic performance: If you notice a decline in academic performance without any obvious reasons, this could be a possible sign of substance abuse. Change in sleep and appetite: One of the possible effects of drug abuse is a change in the adolescent’s sleep and appetite, as his sleep hours decrease or increase a lot, or he loses his appetite significantly. Spending a lot of time with new friends: If your teenage son spends a lot of time with new friends you don’t know, as he refuses to introduce you to them, this may be a sign to start using him. Finding drug paraphernalia: If you find drug paraphernalia such as glass tubes, cannabis paper and any narcotic paraphernalia in his room or among his things, this is an inevitable indication that he is using drugs.
Some intervention strategies
Contacting the Help Center: You can contact the Help Center for support and advice. Find local help: Local institutions such as schools and health centers can be contacted for help. Have an open conversation: You can sit down with your teen and have an open and honest conversation about potential use without judgment or accusation. Providing support: Support and assistance can be provided through psychotherapy or joining a support group. Crisis management: Precautions must be taken to manage potential crises, such as first aid in emergency situations related to sudden drug use.
What actions can be taken to manage potential crises?
Several actions can be taken to manage potential crises, some of which include:
Emergency call: You must call the emergency room in the event of any emergency such as loss of consciousness or difficulty breathing. Providing primary care: Primary care must be provided in the event of shock as a result of sudden abuse, such as giving appropriate medications or transferring the injured person to hospital if necessary. Contact psychiatric help: psychiatric help should be contacted in case of depression, anxiety, or any other psychological condition related to the use. Talking to Doctors and Counsellors: You should talk to doctors and counselors to get advice and guidance regarding substance abuse management. Getting support from the community: You can get support from the community, such as joining a support group or getting help from health centres. Maintain contact with friends and family: Maintain contact with friends and family and stay in touch with them to provide psychological and emotional support. Adherence to treatment: You must adhere to the treatment prescribed by the doctor or counselor, and participate in appropriate therapeutic and psychological programs. Determining the causes and influencing factors: The causes and factors influencing drug abuse, behavior change and negative habits that may lead to drug abuse must be identified.
What are the negative habits that must be changed to avoid abuse?
Depression and anxiety: Depression and anxiety must be avoided and dealt with properly through psychotherapy and appropriate medication. Smoking: Avoid smoking and start treatment to stop it. Not exercising: An addict should exercise regularly to improve public health and reduce the risk of drug use. Exposure to stress: Avoid exposure to stress and learn the right ways to deal with it. Not sleeping enough: Getting enough sleep is essential to improve overall health and prevent substance abuse. Excessive alcohol intake: Limit your alcohol intake and refrain from excessive alcohol intake. Excessive use of legal drugs: Avoid taking legal drugs such as analgesics and sedatives, and avoid using them in any way other than the prescribed medical use. Excessive use of social media: The addict must limit the use of social media and deal with it properly to avoid its negative impact on mental health and abuse.
Does sport have an impact on drug abuse treatment?
Yes, sport has a positive effect on drug abuse treatment. Exercise stimulates the release of natural chemicals in the body that improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety, and this is part of the psychological treatment for abuse.
In addition, sports offer a healthy alternative for people who suffer from this, and help improve physical fitness and general health and enhance a sense of self-confidence, control emotions and positive thinking.
Sport can also help return people who struggle with substance abuse to normal life and social integration, as well as promote adherence to treatment and cessation of drug use.
However, it should be noted that sports are not a complete substitute for psychological and medical treatment, as the necessary treatment must be obtained and the treatment programs prescribed by doctors and counselors who specialize in drug abuse treatment must be followed.
In the end, we fully realize that the occurrence of this problem in your home will shock you, discovering that your teenage son or brother is taking drugs is very difficult, but you can quickly remedy the matter with the presence of many clinics and addiction treatment specialists, in addition to the factors that will help you and will help this The teenager can pass this experience safely and securely.
And you should know that although this is a big problem, you must accept it so that you can deal with it wisely and overcome it with the least possible losses. You are stubborn and cling to their opinions and behaviors, and it is never in your interest to deal with the problem violently or to impose an opinion. Therefore, try to contain this teenager so that it will be easier for you both to pass this experience successfully and ensure that it does not recur, and create a space of understanding so that you can get to know more about what is going on inside him of ideas.
2023-07-25 05:30:00
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