Introduction
By grade 10, more than 90 per cent of Canadian youth will have abused alcohol. By their mid-20s, one-third will have tried marijuana and one in 20 will have experimented with cocaine. Other drugs that youth may experiment with include inhalants (glues, aerosol sprays and gasoline), club drugs such as ecstasy and Rohypnol (the 'date-rape' drug), methamphetamine, hallucinogens like LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), opiates (heroin, morphine and codeine), anabolic steroids, and prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Fatal car accidents caused by drunk driving are a leading cause of death among teens. Besides these and other direct dangers, such as overdoses and alcohol poisoning, drug and alcohol abuse can also increase a teen's odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviour, leading to an unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease.
Because drugs change brain functioning in the areas that control decision-making and emotions, abusing them can adversely affect a teen's growth and development. Teens who use drugs often struggle with identity, relationships, emotional stability and creating an independent and productive future for themselves at work and school. Probably the most dangerous potential consequence of teen drug use is that it can rapidly progress from experimentation to addiction.
Causes/Risk Factors
Teens who have untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or an anxiety disorder are more likely to use alcohol or drugs.
Having a home life marked by conflict, physical or sexual abuse, or constant stress also increases a teen's likelihood of trying alcohol and drugs. Without feelings of closeness, a teen may look to alcohol or drugs to compensate for emotional pain.
Similarly, a lack of consistent parental involvement and appropriate supervision -- whether harsh or inconsistent punishment or excessive permissiveness -- will put a teen at greater risk of substance abuse. Thrill-seeking, rebelliousness, resistance to authority, feelings of failure and failure to form close relationships are other factors that may lead a teen to seek out alcohol or drugs.
Teens with alcohol and drug abuse problems often have a family history of substance abuse. Studies indicate that when this genetic predisposition for abuse is combined with environmental factors, they're much more likely to develop a substance abuse problem.
One study found that teens with a parent who abuses alcohol or drugs are three times more likely to develop an alcohol or drug problem themselves. In addition, teens may interpret their parents' ambivalent attitude toward substance abuse as approval of the behaviour.
A teen's peers also heavily influence their choice to use substances, especially if they want to fit in with a group that uses substances.
What You Can Do
You're a role model: don't drink excessively or take illicit drugs yourself. If you are abusing drugs or alcohol, take steps to quit immediately.
Begin taking the initiative to prevent your teen from using drugs and alcohol early in life. Participating in education programs, nurturing healthy relationships within the family and teaching problem-solving skills can all help to discourage drug use.
Talk with your teen about drinking and doing drugs. Outline the dangers and consequences of substance abuse. Discuss the effects of drug use on the user's physical, mental, emotional and social health. When drug-related topics come up in the media, use it as an opportunity to initiate a dialogue with your teen.
Encourage open communication. Let them know it's safe to talk to you. Try asking open-ended questions ("So, how was the party?") instead of interrogating them ("Did you drink at the party?"). Get to know your child's friends.
Help maintain your child's emotional health by addressing any issues you may have as a family, such as a divorce. Be ready and willing to seek family counselling.
Consistency and fairness are the hallmarks of good discipline. Teens who know the family rules and see them applied fairly and consistently will feel more secure in their families. On the other hand, threats, physical punishments and verbal abuse are risk factors for teen drug abuse. Avoid using these means of discipline. Take a parenting skills course to help you learn to be a more effective and caring parent.
Watch for the warning signs of drug and alcohol use: a sudden change in behaviour; disturbed sleeping patterns; physical evidence like empty bottles or the smell of marijuana. If you suspect your child may be using/drinking, talk with them about it.
If your child is regularly abusing drugs or alcohol, they may require professional treatment. Ask your doctor about treatment options.
Further Resources
Contact the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Commission (AADAC) at www.aadac.com or 1-866-332-2322.
