Consequences of Substance Abuse

Among Adolescents
Dylan Crusan and Anh Huynh

How do negative habits and

addictions affect the lives
of adolescents and college
students?

What is Substance Abuse?

Overconsumption and/or dependence on drugs and/or
alcohol.
Use by senior year HS
Alcohol - 70%
Illegal Drug - 50%
Prescription Drug - 20%
(Adolescent Growth)
Fig. 1 Image of Teenager Abusing Substances
Source: Adolescent Growth Hotline Teenage Drug Abuse

Why Do Adolescents Abuse Substances?

They want to fit it
They want to feel older/matured
They enjoy the effects (Teen Alcohol)

Drugs Most Commonly Abused

Alcohol
Opioids
Stimulants
Depressants
Hallucinogens (Adolescent Growth)

Prevalence of Past-Year Drug Use Among 12th Graders

Drug

Prevalence

Alcohol

58.2

Amphetamines

7.7

Narcotics o/t Heroin*

5.4

Hallucinogens

4.4

Cocaine (any form)

4.2

Vicodin

4.4

Fig. 2 Table of Prevalence of Past-year Drug Use Among 12th Graders

Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse Drug Facts

Adolescents & Their Thirst

Thrill Seeking & The Developing Mind
Rumors
Conformity
Their Home Environment
Media (Underage Drinking)

Fig. 3 Image of Liquor and Alcohol

Source: Official PSDS Lots of Liquor

Some Direct Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol causes more deaths than all other drugs
combined (The Truth About Alcohol)
Accidents
Homicides
Suicides
Alcohol is a depressant
Fig. 4 Cartoon of Drunk Driving
Source: 123rf.com

Why Use Prescribed Pills?

To use for other issues
Weight loss
Stay awake
Prescribed by a doctor
Given for a good cause

Fig. 5 Image of Prescription Drugs

Source: The Huffington Post

BUT tailored to the specific person (Vimont)

Bad Food Choices

Improper nutrients = less functional body
Reliance on certain foods or nutrients = less
independence
Overeating can cause emotional shame (Effects of
Poor Eating)

Sleeping Habits
Low energy
Less effective immune system
Lack of focus
Not able to thrive in tasks leading to lack of self-efficacy
(Effects of Poor Sleep)

Indirect Results
Adolescents may lose control of responsibility
Avoid chasing the first high
Avoid dependence on anything in life (Adolescent
Growth)

Drug Abuse in College

Fig. 6 Short Video about Drug Abuse in College

Source: Youtube.com College Drug Abuse- CB Cotton

Fig. 7 Bar Graph of Ages Using Substances

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse- Adolescents Differ from Adults in Substances Abuse

Substance Use and their Consequences

Habit: an acquired behavior or action that is constantly
being performed, so it eventually becomes involuntary.
Addiction: the dependency of a certain substance in order
to function daily.

Can lead to:

Relationship Complications
Health Problems
Appearance
Mental/Psychological Problems (Krans)

Psychological Problems in Adolescents

Co-Occurring Disorders with Substance Abuse:
1. Anxiety
2. Depression
3. Bipolar Disorder
Other Factors that Can Catalyze Psychological Problems:
1. Environment
2. Family
3. Genetics (Saisan)

Anxiety

Feelings of worry and fear that is strong enough to

interfere with ones daily life.

Symptoms:
Feeling restless or jumpy

Irritability or feeling on edge

Shortness of breath

Insomnia (Saisan)

Fig. 8 From Anxiety to Serenity

Source: NewBridge: Recovery and Wellness Center

Depression
Continuous feelings of sadness and the loss of passion
or desire to do something.

Symptoms:
Strong feelings of worthlessness

Feelings of hopelessness

Inability to experience pleasure

Appetite changes (Saisan)

Fig. 9 Image Depicting the Feeling of Depression
Source: Dezz & Carols Blog

Bipolar Disorder

Episodes of mood swings, ranging from low

depressives stages to high manic stages.

Symptoms:
Feelings of euphoria or irritability

Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs

Decreased need for sleep

Increased energy (Saisan)

Fig. 10 Image of Depressive and Manic Stages

Source: Wikipedia.com

Physical Problems in Adolescents

Fig. 11 Diagram of Physical Side Effects

Source: Pinterest: Drug Abuse

Social Problems in Adolescents

Fig. 12 Image showing Violence Caused by Drugs

Source: MED- Network for Health

Fig. 13 Image Depicting Isolation

Source: JustThinkTwice.com

Real-Life Situations
The New York Times wrote an article called: Suicide on
Campus and the Pressure of Perfection in 2015. The
article provides:

Real interviews with college students dealing with depression

Students who got over depression
Friends of students who took their lives
Family Members of students who took their lives (Scelfo)

Different Perspectives

Fig. 14 Image of Adults

Source: JDRF.com

Fig. 15 Image of Adolescents and College Students

Source: Head4success.com

Why does this relate?

We are all college students.

It is our first year in college.
Freedom
Substance abuse is a trending topic occuring in college
campuses.

Why is it Important?

Role Model Toward the Younger Community

Prevention of Any Prolong Diseases
Avoid Habits and Addictions
Future Problems
Self-Awareness
Health

Fig. 16 Image of No Drugs Signs Vector

Source: Vecteezy.com

Conclusion

Fig. 17 Image of a Message

Source: Social Puzzle Blogspot

Works Cited
Adolescent Growth. Teenage Drug Abuse, (n.d.). 29 Nov. 2016
Challenges in College | Student Affairs." Challenges in College | Student Affairs. LeHigh University,
n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
"Depression and Suicide." Depression and Suicide in Children and Adolescents. N.p., n.d. Web. 11
Nov. 2016.
"Effects of Poor Sleep Habits." Neurobic, 25 Nov. 2011. 14 Nov. 2016.
Krans, Brian. "Adolescent Depression." What Is Adolescent Depression? Healthline, 17 Feb. 2016.
Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
Scelfo, Julie. "Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection." The New York Times. The New York
Times, 01 Aug. 2015. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
Saisan, Joanna. "Substance Abuse and Mental Health." Substance Abuse & Mental Health: Substance
Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders. Helpguide, Oct. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

Works Cited

"Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse." Health System University of Michigan, Regents of the University of Michigan, 14 Feb.
2016. 14 Nov. 2016.
"The Effects of Poor Eating Habits Persist Even after Diet Is Improved." EurekAlert! The Global Source for Science News,
American Association for the Advancement of Science, 3 Nov. 2014. 14 Nov. 2016.
"The Truth About Alcohol: International Statistics." Foundation for a Drug-Free World, n.d. 29 Nov. 2016.
"Underage Drinking-Why Do Adolescents Drink, What Are the Risks, and How Can Underage Drinking Be Prevented?"
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S Department of Health and
Human Services, Jan. 2006. Accessed 14 Nov. 2016.
Vimont, Celia. "Teens Abusing Prescription Drugs May Not Just Want to Get High, Research Suggests."
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, 07 Oct. 2015. Accessed 14 Nov. 2016.