Substance use and abuse in youth has a co-occurrence with mental health Nearly 43% of youth that are diagnosed have a co-occurrence with drugs or alcohol. The use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco can lead to problems at school and work.
Alcohol
The use of alcohol makes people less alert and vision impaired. Small quantities of alcohol can make you feel relaxed and get you the sense of more confidence. Over time the alcohol will have negative effects of your and mind. Long-term effects include liver disease, cancer, and psychiatric problems; such as: depression, anxiety, and antisocial personality disorders. "In 2009, 24% of high school students reported episodic heavy or binge drinking" (Youth Mental Health First Aid USA 105).
Drugs
Drugs are commonly misused by youth. Drugs like opioids; morphine, codeine and oxycodone, used as prescribed pain killers after sporty injuries or other major surgeries. The misuse happens after the pain as stopped and the medicine is continued to be used. Youth will take large amounts of the drugs to get a high or relaxed feeling from the drug. Long-term effects from this can be brain damage and chemical imbalance of emotions. The mental illnesses that can evolve from the misuse are depression or social phobia disorders. Methamphetamine and Ecstacy are strong drugs that can be addicting after the first use. The strong, life long effects can result in mood behavior disorders.
For more information about substance abuse and mental illness, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention or https://www.youth.gov/youth-topics/substance-abuse
All sources used in this blog:
Kitchner, Betty Ann., and A. F. Jorm. Youth Mental Health First Aid USA: For Adults Assisting Young People. Baltimore, MD: Mental Health Association of Maryland, 2012. Print.
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