| Drug abuse by teenagers is very common, which can | | | | with a family history of alcohol or drug abuse should |
| lead to disastrous consequences in the future. A large | | | | especially abstain and refrain from experimenting. |
| proportion of deaths in people between 15 and 24 are | | | | The user's preoccupation with drugs, plus its effects on |
| reportedly connected in some way or the other to | | | | mood and performance, can lead to poor |
| drug or alcohol abuse. Such abuse also leads to violent | | | | performance in schools, colleges or workplaces, |
| criminal acts, such as assault, murder or rape. Some | | | | resulting in dismissal. A child's drug abuse can |
| young people also take drugs to overcome depression | | | | devastate parents and other family members, and ruin |
| and anxiety. | | | | family life. According to the National Survey of |
| If a young member of your family suddenly starts | | | | American Attitudes on Substance Abuse conducted |
| behaving in a aberrant manner or tries to keep aloof | | | | by the National Center on Addiction and Substance |
| from other family members, you have some reasons | | | | Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, teens and their |
| to be suspicious. Physical signs like red eyes, nagging | | | | parents view drugs as their biggest concern. |
| cough, and changes in eating and sleeping habits should | | | | The effects of different types of drugs on teenagers |
| also serve as warning signals. | | | | include irritability, insomnia, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, |
| A teenager with a family history of drug abuse and a | | | | violent behavior, memory loss, learning problems, |
| lack of social skills can move rapidly from the level of | | | | increased heart rate, lethargy, panic attacks, |
| experimentation to grave abuse or dependency. Some | | | | symptoms of chronic bronchitis, daily coughs and |
| other teenagers, who have no family history of such | | | | phlegm, more frequent chest colds, muscle tension, |
| abuse, may also reach the level of utter dependency. | | | | teeth clenching, dehydration, hypothermia, brain |
| Although any prediction is almost impossible, teenagers | | | | damage, and death. |