| Drug abuse by teenagers is very common, which | | | | history of alcohol or drug abuse should especially |
| can lead to disastrous consequences in the future. | | | | abstain and refrain from experimenting. |
| A large proportion of deaths in people between 15 | | | | The user's preoccupation with drugs, plus its |
| and 24 are reportedly connected in some way or | | | | effects on mood and performance, can lead to |
| the other to drug or alcohol abuse. Such abuse | | | | poor performance in schools, colleges or |
| also leads to violent criminal acts, such as assault, | | | | workplaces, resulting in dismissal. A child's drug |
| murder or rape. Some young people also take | | | | abuse can devastate parents and other family |
| drugs to overcome depression and anxiety. | | | | members, and ruin family life. According to the |
| If a young member of your family suddenly | | | | National Survey of American Attitudes on |
| starts behaving in a aberrant manner or tries to | | | | Substance Abuse conducted by the National |
| keep aloof from other family members, you have | | | | Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse |
| some reasons to be suspicious. Physical signs like | | | | (CASA) at Columbia University, teens and their |
| red eyes, nagging cough, and changes in eating | | | | parents view drugs as their biggest concern. |
| and sleeping habits should also serve as warning | | | | The effects of different types of drugs on |
| signals. | | | | teenagers include irritability, insomnia, convulsions, |
| A teenager with a family history of drug abuse | | | | anxiety, paranoia, violent behavior, memory loss, |
| and a lack of social skills can move rapidly from | | | | learning problems, increased heart rate, lethargy, |
| the level of experimentation to grave abuse or | | | | panic attacks, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, |
| dependency. Some other teenagers, who have no | | | | daily coughs and phlegm, more frequent chest |
| family history of such abuse, may also reach the | | | | colds, muscle tension, teeth clenching, dehydration, |
| level of utter dependency. Although any prediction | | | | hypothermia, brain damage, and death. |
| is almost impossible, teenagers with a family | | | | |