Table of Contents
Introduction. An Overview of Substance Use and Abuse
- A growing health concern in the U.S.
- Teenagers represent eight percent of all cases
- Substance use in adolescence is highly addictive
- 10% of affected teenagers are in therapy (Hudgins et al., 2019)
- Drug addiction and dependence maintain high rates
- Several issues contribute to teenage drug abuse
- Drug education and social support are crucial
Contributing Factors
- Peer influences and bullying incidences among teenagers
- Child neglect cases, abuse, and familial influences (Neupane & Uprety, 2021)
- Lack of parental guidance or social support
- Affiliation with gangs and influence from celebrities
- Depression, mental disorders, or post-traumatic stress
- Family disagreements and rejection of sexual orientation
- Inadequate education and substance use counseling programs
Substance Abuse Prevalence
- The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS)
- 31.9 million Americans are illegal drug users (NCDAS, 2022)
- 12% of teenagers abused drugs last month
- 0.42% of teenagers used cocaine last year
- Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug
- Opioid abuse increased by 30% from 2021
- 50% of U.S. teenagers have abused drugs
Roles of a Healthcare Practitioner
- Healthcare practitioners include primary physicians and specialists
- The knowledge of substance abuse is essential
- Primary physicians provide the first-line care (Kulak & Griswold, 2019)
- Diagnosing the substance abuse challenge in patients
- Providing immediate counseling and recommending treatment options
- Referring patients to specialists for further assistance
- Close monitoring to prevent relapse among patients
Identifying and Addressing the Issue
- Go for routine medical and drug checkups
- Talk about drug abuse with responsible persons
- Be active in Family and society-based activities
- Carefully avoid peer pressure at all costs
- Follow the prescribed medication to prevent relapse (Kulak & Griswold, 2019).
- Report any threats issued on substance use
- Stay updated on drug abuse and interventions
Recommended Activities and Available Help and Resources
- Adopt open communication between caregivers and teenagers
- Scouting is a great activity for teenagers
- Scouting enables wide learning and survival skills
- Engage in goal setting and team building (Neupane & Uprety, 2021)
- Participate in school guidance and counseling programs
- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
- Availability of low-cost facilities offering rehabilitation programs
References
NCDAS: Substance Abuse and Addiction Statistics [2022]. Web.
Hudgins, J. D., Porter, J. J., Monuteaux, M. C., & Bourgeois, F. T. (2019). Prescription opioid use and misuse among teenagers and young adults in the United States: a national survey study. PLoS Medicine, 16(11), e1002922. Web.
Kulak, J. A., & Griswold, K. S. (2019). Adolescent substance use and misuse: Recognition and management. American Family Physician, 99(11), 689-696. Web.
Neupane, J., & Uprety, P. (2021). Impact of Family Functioning, Family Violence and Other Factors on Juvenile Delinquency. Nepalese Journal of Statistics, 79-94. Web.