Drugs have been a problem in our high schools for decades now.  But one thing that never seems to change is that wherever there are teenagers, there will be substance abuse and addiction issues.  What has changed is the different types of substances that teenage kids are using to get high.

Consider the following information from the University of Michigan

Most commonly abused drug by High School Seniors in 1975 (% who have tried the drug)

1. Marijuana (47.3%)

2. Amphetamines (22.3%)

3. Tranquilizers (17.0%)

4. LSD (11.3%)

5. Cocaine (9.0%)

Now let’s look at the top 5 from 2006

1. Marijuana (42.3%)

2. Opiates - Heroin, Vicodin, OxyContin (14.4%)

3. Amphetamines (12.8%)

4. Inhalants (11.2%)

5. Cocaine (8.5%)

It is interesting to note that opiates and inhalants have made significant gains over the past several years, while marijuana has continued to remain atop the list.  Also, in 1975 the amphetamines kids were taking were traditional “uppers”, but in 2006 the majority of amphetamines used were crystal meth - a far more dangerous drug.

If your child is struggling with drug abuse, get help immediately by contacting the caring professionals at a drug rehab and addiction treatment center in your area that works spefically with teens.

Teenagers and adolescents who have an alcohol or drug abuse problem are putting their long-term health at great risk.  From the age of 12 through 20 years old, a young person’s body is in transition.  Drugs and alcohol alters the system during this crucial period of change and can affect the body adversely in a number of ways, including:

1. The liver - Young people don’t develop cirrhosis of the liver per se, but the damage they do to their liver during periods of heavy drinking can greatly raise the risk of liver damage as adults.
2. The immune system - Research has shown that cocaine, heroin, marijuana and crystal meth use all affect the development of the immune system, making it difficult for the individual fight off infection as they get older.
3. Bone development - Studies have found that boys who drink excessively during their early teen years experience stunted growth more often that those who do not consume alcohol.
4. The limbic system - Drugs and alcohol alter the limbic system - the part of the area that controls the release of pleasure and reward.  Changes to the limbic system during adolescence will stay with that individual (and potentially get worse) throughout the rest of their lives.
5. The endocrine system - Alcohol abuse as a teenager has a direct effect on that person’s ability to reproduce later in life.  That is because of the adverse reaction of the endocrine system - which controls development of the testes and ovaries - to alcohol.

If you know a young person struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, contact an addiction treatment center that understands the special needs of teenagers and their families.