Drugs and Youth
The prevention of drug use, particularly among young people, is a goal that everyone strives to achieve to varying degrees. This primarily concerns young individuals who are in the stage of adolescence and are dealing with the challenges of psychosomatic development, identity formation, and acceptance of both their immediate and broader environment.
Many people believe that the term "drugs" only refers to illegal substances. However, "drug" can also be found in legal forms such as cigarettes or alcohol, which in turn can lead to the search for other illegal substances, especially when used at a young age.
Even if proper education and upbringing from the family have a positive influence on shaping the character of the young person and their principles, almost no parent has the ability to constantly control what their child is doing and where they are.
This is continually confirmed by new research showing the exact dimensions of the drug problem in our country, particularly among young people, and proves that it is a social phenomenon.
According to recent studies, such as one conducted by the Research University Institute of Mental Health (EPIΨY), the majority of young people, around 52%, have been offered drugs by a friend or acquaintance, while 12.3% of young people have actually used drugs.
Furthermore, concerning is the finding that 32% do not know where to turn for help or information, while 79% of young people believe that it is easy to obtain drugs.
As for smoking, it is alarming that 8% of teenagers begin to smoke regularly at the age of 13, while regarding alcohol, one in four boys and one in five girls at the age of 15 drink at least 3 drinks in a row every time they go out. This is also evident from the fact that two out of five teenagers at the age of 15 have been drunk at least once.
Additionally, it appears that the likelihood of a teenager starting to smoke increases eleven times if their friends smoke, twice if their older siblings smoke, 5.9 times if they consume illegal substances, 4 times if they drink coffee, and 2.4 times if they consume alcohol. This highlights how significant a role the family environment and peer groups can play in shaping habits and addictions.
Therefore, you should not blame yourselves if your child has become addicted to substances, but rather, you should try to help them.
The reasons that might lead young people to drugs are many and varied. Some of these might include: curiosity, feelings of isolation from society, rebellion against the family, divorced or "broken" families, "rebellion" against the social system or authority, and the vulnerable personality of the young person.
In fact, in a recent study regarding the reasons why someone turns to drugs, 25.4% of young people said it was out of curiosity, 12.4% out of ignorance, and 25% out of a need to stand out and "be fashionable."
Through drugs, young people believe that this is the way to "solve" whatever problems they face and feel good. However, they fail to realize that by using drugs, they are essentially self-destructing.
The big question that arises in this case for every parent is whether the symptoms displayed by their child are due to drug use or are merely reactions related to adolescence.
Issues related to behavioral changes during adolescence such as isolation, irritability, reactiveness, excessive sensitivity, low self-esteem, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, and hostility can also appear in cases where the young person uses addictive substances.
In general, cases such as significant changes in physical appearance, behavior, personality, and mood should always be given attention by parents and thoroughly investigated.
The symptoms and "signs" that usually accompany drug use can be divided into two main categories: physical and psychological.
**Physical symptoms** might include:
- Appearance of anorexia or sudden increase in appetite, changes in eating habits, unexplained loss or gain of weight.
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping hours.
- Red, overly watery eyes, a vacant stare.
- Extreme hyperactivity, excessive talking.
- Marks on the hands, arms, legs, or soles of the feet.
- Excessive sweating without a clear reason.
- Trembling of the hands, feet, or body.
**Psychological "signs"** might include:
- Changes in behavior and personality without a specific reason.
- Changes in activities or hobbies.
- Decline in school grades, performance, and attendance.
- Changes in habits at home, loss of interest in family and family activities.
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things.
- Loss of energy and self-esteem, with indifference to everything.
- Sudden outbursts of hypersensitivity and anger.
- Bad mood, irritability, or nervousness.
- Secretive or suspicious behavior.
- Unexplained need for money.
As mentioned earlier, all of these symptoms and signs may have nothing to do with drugs. Therefore, you should not hastily draw conclusions that could distance your child from the family and damage your relationship.
However, if you have suspicions, you can contact our office to investigate the matter thoroughly, always with confidentiality and discretion for you and your child, so that we can then inform you and help you take the necessary measures and seek professional help when needed.
Because even if it turns out that your suspicions are incorrect, prevention is considered and is the best ally against drugs and addictive substances, while also demonstrating your care and concern for your children and their future.
Many people believe that the term "drugs" only refers to illegal substances. However, "drug" can also be found in legal forms such as cigarettes or alcohol, which in turn can lead to the search for other illegal substances, especially when used at a young age.
Even if proper education and upbringing from the family have a positive influence on shaping the character of the young person and their principles, almost no parent has the ability to constantly control what their child is doing and where they are.
This is continually confirmed by new research showing the exact dimensions of the drug problem in our country, particularly among young people, and proves that it is a social phenomenon.
According to recent studies, such as one conducted by the Research University Institute of Mental Health (EPIΨY), the majority of young people, around 52%, have been offered drugs by a friend or acquaintance, while 12.3% of young people have actually used drugs.
Furthermore, concerning is the finding that 32% do not know where to turn for help or information, while 79% of young people believe that it is easy to obtain drugs.
As for smoking, it is alarming that 8% of teenagers begin to smoke regularly at the age of 13, while regarding alcohol, one in four boys and one in five girls at the age of 15 drink at least 3 drinks in a row every time they go out. This is also evident from the fact that two out of five teenagers at the age of 15 have been drunk at least once.
Additionally, it appears that the likelihood of a teenager starting to smoke increases eleven times if their friends smoke, twice if their older siblings smoke, 5.9 times if they consume illegal substances, 4 times if they drink coffee, and 2.4 times if they consume alcohol. This highlights how significant a role the family environment and peer groups can play in shaping habits and addictions.
Therefore, you should not blame yourselves if your child has become addicted to substances, but rather, you should try to help them.
The reasons that might lead young people to drugs are many and varied. Some of these might include: curiosity, feelings of isolation from society, rebellion against the family, divorced or "broken" families, "rebellion" against the social system or authority, and the vulnerable personality of the young person.
In fact, in a recent study regarding the reasons why someone turns to drugs, 25.4% of young people said it was out of curiosity, 12.4% out of ignorance, and 25% out of a need to stand out and "be fashionable."
Through drugs, young people believe that this is the way to "solve" whatever problems they face and feel good. However, they fail to realize that by using drugs, they are essentially self-destructing.
The big question that arises in this case for every parent is whether the symptoms displayed by their child are due to drug use or are merely reactions related to adolescence.
Issues related to behavioral changes during adolescence such as isolation, irritability, reactiveness, excessive sensitivity, low self-esteem, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, and hostility can also appear in cases where the young person uses addictive substances.
In general, cases such as significant changes in physical appearance, behavior, personality, and mood should always be given attention by parents and thoroughly investigated.
The symptoms and "signs" that usually accompany drug use can be divided into two main categories: physical and psychological.
**Physical symptoms** might include:
- Appearance of anorexia or sudden increase in appetite, changes in eating habits, unexplained loss or gain of weight.
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping hours.
- Red, overly watery eyes, a vacant stare.
- Extreme hyperactivity, excessive talking.
- Marks on the hands, arms, legs, or soles of the feet.
- Excessive sweating without a clear reason.
- Trembling of the hands, feet, or body.
**Psychological "signs"** might include:
- Changes in behavior and personality without a specific reason.
- Changes in activities or hobbies.
- Decline in school grades, performance, and attendance.
- Changes in habits at home, loss of interest in family and family activities.
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things.
- Loss of energy and self-esteem, with indifference to everything.
- Sudden outbursts of hypersensitivity and anger.
- Bad mood, irritability, or nervousness.
- Secretive or suspicious behavior.
- Unexplained need for money.
As mentioned earlier, all of these symptoms and signs may have nothing to do with drugs. Therefore, you should not hastily draw conclusions that could distance your child from the family and damage your relationship.
However, if you have suspicions, you can contact our office to investigate the matter thoroughly, always with confidentiality and discretion for you and your child, so that we can then inform you and help you take the necessary measures and seek professional help when needed.
Because even if it turns out that your suspicions are incorrect, prevention is considered and is the best ally against drugs and addictive substances, while also demonstrating your care and concern for your children and their future.