8.5.1 Adolescence and Drug/Alcohol Abuse & 8.5.2 Addiction and Dependence

8.5.1 Adolescence and Drug/Alcohol Abuse
  • Adolescence means both ‘a period’ and ‘a process’ during which a child becomes mature in terms of his/her attitudes and beliefs for effective participation in society. 
  • The period between 12-18 years of age may be thought of as adolescence period. 
  • In other words, adolescence is a bridge linking childhood and adulthood. 
  • Adolescence is accompanied by several biological and behavioural changes. 
  • Adolescence, thus is a very vulnerable phase of mental and psychological development of an individual. 
  • Curiosity, need for adventure and excitement, and experimentation, constitute common causes, which motivate youngsters towards drug and alcohol use. 
  • A child’s natural curiosity motivates him/her to experiment. 
  • This is complicated further by effects that might be perceived as benefits, of alcohol or drug use. 
  • Thus, the first use of drugs or alcohol may be out of curiosity or experimentation, but later the child starts using these to escape facing problems. 
  • Of late, stress, from pressures to excel in academics or examinations, has played a significant role in persuading the youngsters to try alcohol and drugs. 
  • The perception among youth that it is ‘cool’ or progressive to smoke, use drugs or alcohol, is also in a way a major cause for youth to start these habits. 
  • Television, movies, newspapers, internet also help to promote this perception. 
  • Other factors that have been seen to be associated with drug and alcohol abuse among adolescents are unstable or unsupportive family structures and peer pressure.  
8.5.2 Addiction and Dependence 
  • Because of the perceived benefits, drugs are frequently used repeatedly. 
  • The most important thing, which one fails to realise, is the inherent addictive nature of alcohol and drugs. 
  • Addiction is a psychological attachment to certain effects –such as euphoria and a temporary feeling of well-being – associated with drugs and alcohol. 
  • These drive people to take them even when these are not needed, or even when their use becomes self-destructive. 
  • With repeated use of drugs, the tolerance level of the receptors present in our body increases.
  • Consequently the receptors respond only to higher doses of drugs or alcohol leading to greater intake and addiction. 
  • However, it should be clearly borne in mind that use of these drugs even once, can be a fore-runner to addiction. 
  • Thus, the addictive potential of drugs and alcohol, pull the user into a vicious circle leading to their regular use (abuse) from which he/she may not be able to get out. 
  • In the absence of any guidance or counselling, the person gets addicted and becomes dependent on their use. 
  • Dependence is the tendency of the body to manifest a characteristic and unpleasant withdrawal syndrome if regular dose of drugs/alcohol is abruptly discontinued. 
  • This is characterised by anxiety, shakiness, nausea and sweating, which may be relieved when use is resumed again. 
  • In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even life threatening and the person may need medical supervision. 
  • Dependence leads the patient to ignore all social norms in order to get sufficient funds to satiate his/her needs. These result in many social adjustment problems. 
8.5.3 Effects of Drug/Alcohol Abuse 
  • The immediate adverse effects of drugs and alcohol abuse are manifested in the form of reckless behaviour, vandalism and violence. 
  • Excessive doses of drugs may lead to coma and death due to respiratory failure, heart failure or cerebral hemorrhage. 
  • A combination of drugs or their intake along with alcohol generally results in overdosing and even deaths.
The most common warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse among youth include 
  • Drop in academic performance,
  • Unexplained absence from school/college, 
  • Lack of interest in personal hygiene, 
  • Withdrawal, isolation, 
  • Depression, fatigue, aggressive 
  • And rebellious behaviour, 
  • Deteriorating relationships with family and friends,
  • Loss of interest in hobbies, change in sleeping and eating habits, 
  • Fluctuations in weight, appetite, etc. 
There may even be some far-reaching implications of drug/alcohol abuse.
  • If an abuser is unable to get money to buy drugs/alcohol he/she may turn to stealing.
  • The adverse effects are just not restricted to the person who is using drugs or alcohol. 
  • At times, a drug/alcohol addict becomes the cause of mental and financial distress to his/her entire family and friends. 

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