Drug abuse involves the repeated use--in an excessive amount--of chemical substances to gain a certain effect. It is a health problem that impacts almost every family and community in some way. According to the National Institutes of Health, drug abuse results in around 40 million serious illnesses or injuries annually in the U.S. Drugs that are abused include cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, anabolic steroids, club drugs, inhalants, prescriptions and marijuana. Drug abuse leads to social problems such as violence, child abuse, drugged driving and stress.
Signs and Symptoms
There are physical and mental effects when someone abuses drugs. While the abuser is high, the drug impacts her entire body, from heart rate to blood pressure. Stimulants, like cocaine, make her hyped up, with higher metabolism and blood pressure and inability to sleep. Drugs like barbiturates and opiates slow these systems down, reducing breathing, blood pressure and alertness.
When trying to determine whether someone is , look for physical signs and symptoms such as restlessness, slow speech, confusion, sleeplessness, sudden weight loss or gain, changes in clothing, nosebleeds and coughing. causes changes in mood, such as cycles or cheerfulness and irritability. It also causes depression, unusual calmness, paranoia, hallucinations, temporary psychosis and delusions.
Time to Talk
According to a Partnership for a Drug Free America, kids who learn about drug abuse from their parents are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs themselves. Parents can help their children make better decisions and live a safe life simply by talking about drugs. Drugs such as marijuana or alcohol aren't the only ones parents need to talk about. They also need to discuss the proper use of prescription medications and the safety risks in sharing them. Starting the conversation isn't easy, but it's also not as hard as many parents think. Time to Talk (see Resources section) has tools to help parents start the conversation and keep it going.
Transition
Teenagers may start abusing drugs during times of transition. This can include a move, loss of girlfriend or boyfriend, divorce or death in the family. When a child experiences a dramatic change, it's essential for parents to pay attention to their children. Ask yourself whether you're keeping the lines of communication open, allowing your teen to open up about his feelings. He needs to know that you won't judge him, just listen. Make sure you've set aside enough time for bonding. Take the teen shopping or bowling one-on-one, to show you have time for him. This will also give you the chance to pick up on behavior changes or problems. While you're together, talk about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. Even if you've said it before, it doesn't hurt to reiterate the consequences of using drugs or alcohol. Ask questions about what is happening in his life. This will help you monitor what he's doing and with whom. It's also important to see if there are any changes in his weight, eating habits or sleeping patterns. If you notice any unusual behavior, enlist the help of the child's physician.
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