How does drugs and alcohol affect youth?

How does drugs and alcohol affect youth?

Using alcohol or drugs can affect young people’s general health, physical growth, and emotional and social development. It can also change how well they make decisions, how well they think, and how quickly they can react. And using alcohol or drugs can make it hard for young people to control their actions.

How does drug use affect young adults?

The earlier young people start using drugs, the greater their chances of continuing to use them and become addicted later in life. Taking drugs when you are young can contribute to the development of adult health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

What is the most commonly used drug among young adults 18 to 25 years?

Alcohol and marijuana are by far the most commonly abused substances among young adults, but the use of many other drugs has been reported by individuals within this age group.

What are the causes of drug abuse among youths?

5 Reasons Teens Start Using Drugs & Alcohol

  • Peer Pressure.
  • Self-Medication & Escape.
  • Performance Improvement.
  • Experimentation.
  • To Feel Grown Up.

How do drugs affect the developing brain?

Drugs can also permanently change the brain’s prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain helps you think ahead, make smart decisions, interact with others in healthy ways and control yourself. When a teen uses certain drugs, their brain will fail to develop properly in these areas.

How alcohol can affect a person’s behavior?

Drinking alcohol clearly has important effect on social behaviors, such as increasing aggression, self-disclosure, sexual adventuresomeness, and so on. Research has shown that these effects can stem from beliefs we hold about alcohol effects. Less is known about how alcohol itself affects these behaviors.

How can you avoid drug abuse?

Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:

  1. Understand how substance abuse develops.
  2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure.
  3. Seek help for mental illness.
  4. Examine the risk factors.
  5. Keep a well-balanced life.

What are the side effects of drug abuse?

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

  • A sense of euphoria or feeling “high”
  • Elevated mood.
  • An altered sense of visual, auditory and taste perception.
  • Extreme anxiety or agitation.
  • Paranoia.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure or heart attack.
  • Vomiting.

What is the #1 drug of abuse among teenagers in the United States?

Alcohol and tobacco are the drugs most commonly abused by adolescents, followed by marijuana. The next most popular substances differ between age groups.