Recognizing Adolescent Substance Abuse
Substance abuse: using a substance excessively, or for purposes for which it was not medically intended.
Substance dependence: compulsively using a substance, despite its negative and sometimes dangerous effects.
Possible causes:
- Genetics, Peer Pressure, Emotional Distress, Home Environment of Illicit Drug Use
- 50% of teen who use have an underlying psychological problem such as a mood disorder, attention deficit disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
Types Of Adolescent Substance Abuse
- Opiates and Narcotics
- heroin, opium, codeine, meperidine, hydromorphone, and oxycontin
- Central Nervus System Stimulants
- amphetamines, cocaine, dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, caffeine and nicotine
- Central Nervous System Depressants
- alcohol, amobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, valium, ativan, xanax, chloral hydrate, paraldehyde
- Hallucinogens
- LSD, mescaline, psilocybin (mushrooms), and PCP(Angel Dust)
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- marijuana (cannabis) and hashish
- Club and Date Rape Drugs
- Ecstasy, GHB, Rohypdol and Ketamine
- Way Substances are Used
- Eaten, Drank, Inhaled, Smoked, Ingested, Injected, Snorted
Signs of substance use in teens include but are not limited to
- A change in friends
- Withdrawn behavior
- Problems with family relations
- Long unexplained periods away from home
- Disappearing money or valuables
- Decreased school performance
- Lying and Stealing
- Involvement with the law
- Distinct changes in behavior and normal attitude
- Acting drunk or high, confused or impossible to understand
Exams and Tests
Drug tests on blood and urine samples can show many chemicals and drugs in the body. Blood tests are more sensitive than urine tests. Urine drug screens are done more often.
- Opiates and narcotics are usually in the urine 12 to 36 hours after the last use
- CNS stimulants such as cocain can be found in urine for 1 to 12 days
- CNS depressants such as valium and xanax are found up to 7 days after the last day of use
- Most hallucinogens also can be found in the urine up to 7 days after the last use
- Marijuana can be found for up to 28 days in regular users
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