The legalization of marijuana has increased the chances for teens to be subjected to progressive drugs use. Many research studies have reported that teenagers initiate their drug use with marijuana and progress towards substance abuse problems.

 

Teenage years are proven to be more sensitive because their brain and body reach maturity in these years. Sometimes, emotional trauma, stress, social pressure, and parent’s behavior towards their child can lead them to drug use. 

 

This article explains how a child progresses to various dead-end drugs due to the uncontrolled consumption of marijuana. 

 

Marijuana As A Gateway Drug:

Marijuana has been called a “gateway drug” because it precedes your child to go for more deadly drugs. Moreover, marijuana primes the brain to enhance the desire and urge to transition to using other drugs [1]. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teenagers who use marijuana are more susceptible to be addicted to dangerous drugs like oxyContin and heroin.

 

As marijuana increases the risk of progression to substance use disorders, it also increases the chances for your child to progress to other dangerous drugs that are harmful to physical and mental health [2].

 

Risk Factors For Progressive Drug Use In Teens:

Here are some of the risk factors that can lead the child towards a heightened risk of drugs addiction:

1. Age: Teen years are the years of rebellion and experimentation, making teenagers more sensitive to developing an addiction. Progressive drug use can affect a child’s decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
2. Family History: If a parent has any history of drug abuse, the child is at a greater risk of progressing towards drug abuse. 
3. Mental Issues: If a child has mental issues like depression, stress, negative thoughts, irritability, and hopelessness, he/she can be addicted to drug abuse to alleviate mental issues [3].
4. Cravings and Tolerance: A teenager’s brain is not mature enough to have control over something. When teens use marijuana as an initial drug, they crave harder drugs because they become tolerant to marijuana [4]. 

 

Signs Of Progressive Drug Use:

Parents can notice the following signs in their child:

 

Physical Signs:

• Weight gain or loss 
• Bloodshot eyes 
• The unusual smell from clothes, body, or breath 
• Changes in mood 
• Swollen face
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Difficulty staying focused 
• Dilated pupils 
• Seizures
• Loss of appetite and proper sleep

 

Behavioral Signs:

• Losing interest in activities and hobbies
• Clashes with siblings 
• Stealing or borrowing money 
• Changing hang-on spots 
• Losing friends 
• Poor academic performance 
• Using eye drops to hide bloodshot eyes
• Avoiding eye contact and locking doors 
• Loss of interest in extracurricular activities

 

Psychological Signs:

• Anxiety, irritability, paranoia, or fidgeting
• Agitation or unusual hyperactivity
• Mood swings 
• Loss of interest and motivation
• Appearing withdrawn, paranoid, or anxious without any reason 
• Laughing at nothing 
• Angry outbursts [5]

 

How Can You Prevent Drug Use In Your Child?

• Motivate your child to become friends with more than one group of teens.
• Educate your child on the potential health complications of progressive drug abuse. Also, make yourself aware of the dangers of drug abuse. Do not overstate or make information up. 
• Motivate your child to have a healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise and good food.
• Develop a trusting and close relationship with your child and support them in every matter. 
• Show appropriate behavior in front of your child, such as not smoking or using illicit drugs [6].

 

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References: 

1. Abuse NI on D. Is marijuana a gateway drug? National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved  from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-gateway-drug

2. Kandel DB. Does Marijuana Use Cause the Use of Other Drugs? JAMA. 2003 Jan 22;289(4):482–3. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.4.482

3. Caroline Miller. Mental Health Disorders and Teen Substance Use. Child Mind Institute. Retrieved from: https://childmind.org/article/mental-health-disorders-and-substance-use/

4. Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Early Warning Signs of Teen Substance Use. Nov 11, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/warning-signs-teen-substance-use

5. Parents’ Guide to Helping Teens Recover from Addiction. Advanced Recovery Systems. Retrieved from: https://www.advancedrecoverysystems.com/resources/parents-guide/

6. Drugs, teenagers and parenting - Better Health Channel. Retrieved from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/drugs-teenagers-parenting

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