January 21, 2024
Written by: Mana
Edited by: Fidha
What does addiction do to you?
If you’re a teenager, you’ve probably heard time and time again that drugs are bad and you should never start using them… and yet, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, one out of two teenagers has misused a drug at least once, and 62% of high school seniors have abused alcohol. Drug abuse and the subsequent addiction in adolescents is undoubtedly an epidemic. Addiction doesn’t only destroy you physically, but mentally. Contrary to what the chemicals in drugs trick your brain into believing, they are not an escape from mental suffering, and will instead make it significantly worse. You could develop depression and schizophrenia from abusing drugs, as well as increase the severity of already existing mental health issues.
On top of the long-term guilt you’ll feel from disappointing your loved ones, losing money, and feeling physically ill, the momentary relief you feel from many types of drugs is oftentimes paired with a slew of different negative side effects. Stimulant drugs make you feel anxious and paranoid, cocaine in particular can trigger psychosis, and ecstasy can give you memory problems. Drugs are not worth the curiosity. There’s a reason many feel so strongly about stamping out drug use— it destroys not only your body, but your mental health, and sometimes your life.
How to Stamp Out Drug Abuse
So, how exactly do we prevent drug use? After all, even those who are not actively seeking out drugs sometimes find themselves getting addicted. Some common ways people find themselves in the grip of drugs are pressure from friends, getting addicted to prescriptions, and suddenly turning to them after a particularly traumatic or stressful event. In short, drug addiction often manifests when we’re at our lowest or most stressed out points and unable to be reasonable as we usually are. Understanding this is the first step to preventing drugs from catching you off guard. Some steps you can take to further protect yourself are: staying away from people who are bad influences, only going to trusted doctors, and letting a trusted adult know immediately if you feel tempted to start using drugs. Having somebody to watch over you could save your life.
What if you’re already addicted? The first and most obvious step is to seek help, although it’s much easier than it sounds. Remind yourself that addiction is a tragedy, and that you don’t need to be ashamed or embarrassed, although you do need to get help immediately before it hurts you more than it already has. If you relapse, don’t beat yourself up— it’s all a part of the process. Your only job is to ensure that you manage the relapse as soon as possible and keep moving forward with your recovery. Confide in your trusted loved ones and practice other methods of coping, such as journaling or exercising. Journaling about your addiction can actually help you uncover why you feel the way you do, and be extremely helpful in understanding yourself and how to recover.
Are you worried that a loved one is abusing drugs? Look out for symptoms such as: irregular moods or mood swings (risk taking), long sleeves even in hot temperatures (to cover injection sites), clammy skin and altered eyes, cold sweats, vomiting, avoiding you and others, not enjoying hobbies that they used to, and paranoia. In a case of overdose, it’s possible that they won’t be able to speak even if they’re conscious.
If you suspect drug abuse, immediately talk to your loved one about it, even if you’re not sure— better safe than sorry. Be understanding of what they’re going through, don’t yell at them or make them feel ashamed, but be firm in your belief that they need to get help. Research care options for them, and consult them to see how they feel. If they’re receptive, work together with them to formulate the best care plan; however, some drug addictions can distort a person’s view on what’s best for them. At a certain point, it may be entirely up to you to ensure that they get the help they need.
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