| Substance abuse | 20.0000000000000 | Substance abuse | Substance abuse | S | English | Adolescent | Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-15 years);Late Teen (16-18 years) | NA | NA | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2010-03-05T05:00:00Z | | Rahul Saxena, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FAAP | | | | 7.30000000000000 | 62.1000000000000 | 1101.00000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Find out what substance abuse is, and what behavioural and physical signs to look out for in your child. Learn what you can do to help your child and what you can do to prevent substance abuse.</p> | <h2>What is substance abuse?</h2><p>Substance abuse is the use of drugs, alcohol or chemicals. The substance abuse results in physical, psychological and emotional harm to the user or others. </p><p>Substance abuse is rare before the teenage years. </p><p>Most frequently abused substances include:</p><ul><li>alcohol</li><li>tobacco</li><li>marijuana</li><li>hashish</li><li>over-the-counter drugs such as dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine</li><li>benzodiazepines like Ativan and Valium </li><li>stimulants: methamphetamine or cocaine</li><li>club drugs: Ecstasy, ketamine, MDA or Rohypnol</li><li>hallucinogens: LSD, mushrooms</li><li>inhalants: glue, lighter fluid, gasoline or paint thinner</li><li>narcotic painkillers:
<a href="/Article?contentid=110&language=English">codeine</a> and
<a href="/Article?contentid=194&language=English">morphine</a></li></ul>
| | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Knowledge is key. Know your child's friends and how your child spends their free time.</li><li>Remember that most teens will 'experiment' with drugs at some point.</li><li>Recognize changes in your child's behaviour as a major warning sign of substance abuse.</li><li>Substance abuse is the use of drugs, alcohol or chemicals. </li><li>The abuse causes harm to the user or others. </li>
<li>Be a good listener with your teen. A strong relationship with a parent can prevent substance abuse.</li></ul> | | <h2>Signs and symptoms</h2>
<p>Your teenager may try to hide their substance abuse from you. But there are some signs and behaviours that may indicate your child is using drugs, chemicals or alcohol. These signs are most often noticed as a change in your child's typical behaviour towards school, family and friends. Areas where a change in behaviour are most noticeable may include:</p>
<h3>Changed attitude or success in school</h3>
<p>Drug abuse may be occuring if your child:</p>
<ul>
<li>starts missing more classes than usual without a good reason</li>
<li>seems to care less about marks or school activities</li>
<li>has an unexplained drop in grades</li>
</ul>
<h3>Behavioural changes</h3>
<p>Teenagers like to be independent. They need their privacy. However, if your child shows any of the following signs, they could be hiding a drug or alcohol problem:</p>
<ul>
<li>major change in behaviour</li>
<li>major change in how they interact with family members</li>
<li>preventing family members from knowing about their friends or where they are going</li>
</ul>
<h3>Change in the need for cash</h3>
<p>Another sign of substance abuse is the unexplained need for extra cash. Your child might not be able to explain where they are spending the money. You may notice cash missing from home or valuable items disappearing.</p>
<h3>Change in self-care and appearance</h3>
<p>Normally, teenagers are very concerned with the way they look. They strive to look their best. If your child lacks interest in clothing, hygiene, grooming or looks, this may be a sign of substance abuse. </p>
<h3>Change in level of energy</h3>
<p>There may be a change in your child's general health. Some signs include:</p>
<ul>
<li>poor energy levels</li>
<li>getting too much or too little sleep</li>
<li>decrease in motivation </li>
</ul>
<h3>Physical signs and symptoms</h3>
<p>Physical signs and symptoms depend on the drug your child may be abusing. For example, if your child is abusing marijuana or hashish, you may notice the following symptoms:</p>
<ul>
<li>delayed reaction time </li>
<li>red eyes </li>
<li>poor concentration and memory</li>
<li>increased appetite</li>
<li>paranoid thinking (also a sign of mental health disease)</li>
</ul>
<p>Speak to your doctor for signs and symptoms associated with other drugs.</p> | <h2>Causes of substance use and abuse</h2>
<p>Substance abuse can have many causes. For most teenagers, curiosity and peer pressure leads to their first drug experience. It is natural for teenagers to engage in risky behaviour. They do it for excitement or to fit in with their peers.</p>
<p>Some teenagers find that marijuana or other drugs can help relieve anxiety or depression, which is known as 'self-medication'. Other drugs like Ecstacy or cocaine offer a jolt of energy and heightened sensation. They may offer a short-term escape from conflicts in life. Substance abuse can occur when teenagers use drugs as a coping strategy to deal with their emotional problems. </p>
<p>Being around family members or peers that encourage drug use may influence your child's substance abuse. Many studies show that once your child starts using a drugs, genetic factors may influence whether they develop an addiction.</p>
| | | <h2>What a doctor can do for your child </h2>
<p>Your child's doctor may be able to help your child recognize their substance abuse. The doctor may explain the effects of drug, chemical or alcohol abuse. Health-care providers may be better able to recognize the teenager's role in decision-making about their health and life choices. For teenagers who may be moving towards addiction, a health-care provider may be able to recommend more intensive treatment including outpatient substance abuse programs. For teenagers with advanced substance abuse, the doctor may recommend a rehabilitation facility. </p> | <h2>Complications</h2>
<p>Substance abuse can have long-term physical and psychological effects. The complications vary depending on the substance abused.</p>
| <h2>What can you do to help your child with substance abuse</h2>
<p>Stay calm. Do not panic. Try not to be judgmental or angry. Respond with empathy and patience. Discuss your concern with your child. Listen to your teenager to try to find out why the abuse has occurred. By understanding why your teenager is abusing drugs, you can alter that abuse more easily. Be encouraging. Offer support so that your child can build up confidence to stop the drug abuse. If you think your child's substance abuse is serious, get them help wherever you can. If they trust their family doctor then that is a great starting point. </p>
| <h2>Prevention</h2>
<p>Most children will be offered drugs, alcohol or chemicals at some point in their lives. More than two-thirds of high school students in Ontario used alcohol at least once over the previous year. One-third used marijuana or hashish over the previous year.</p>
<p>Alcohol and drugs can make teenagers less inhibited. They may be more likely to engage in risky behaviour or have unprotected sex. For these reasons, the best prevention for substance abuse is as follows: </p>
<h3>Talk to your teen</h3>
<p>Tell your children about the physical, psychological and social harms of drug, alcohol and chemical abuse. </p>
<h3>Be a good listener</h3>
<p>When your children share their fears and experiences, be a patient listener. Try not to judge. Encourage your child to resist substance abuse. Brainstorm ways they can "say no" to drugs. </p>
<h3>Be a role model</h3>
<p>Be a responsible parent. Do not abuse drugs or alcohol. When you drink alcohol, do not drink too much. Children of parents who smoke or abuse drugs are more likely to become addicted to cigarettes or drugs. </p>
<h3>Spend time with your children</h3>
<p>If you and your child have a secure relationship, your child is less likely to abuse drugs.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Resources</h2><p>There is a plethora of information out there for parents regarding substance use and abuse. Some excellent websites to access additional information are:</p><h3>Not4me (Health Canada)</h3><p>
<a href="http://www.not4me.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.not4me.ca</a></p><h3>Partnership for Drug-Free Kids</h3><p>Drugfree.org serves as a drug prevention information center, and a supportive community for parents to interact and learn from each other:
<a href="https://drugfree.org/" target="_blank">https://drugfree.org</a></p><h3>Vancouver Island Health Authority - Parent Information Page</h3><p>
<a href="http://www.viha.ca/youth-substance-use/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.viha.ca/youth-substance-use/index.html</a></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/substance_abuse.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/substance_abuse.jpg | | | | | | | Substance abuse | | | | | | | |
