During the teenage years, a tremendous amount of chemical changes are occurring. This shift in hormones can result in depression which can sometimes become severe. This is also one of the most challenging times in a teen’s life. Pressures surrounding them can sometimes lead to the possibility of drug abuse. The combination between hormone shifts and drug abuse can lead to a deadly combination.
This concern is present in all states across the U.S. However, Colorado has one of the highest drug use statistics per capita. It is estimated that 11.8% of teens in Colorado have used an illegal substance within the past month. Additionally, suicide is the leading cause of death by injury amongst teens in Colorado. This connection is evident. Preventing drug abuse in your teen can keep your child out of statistics and in your life.
Teen suicide facts
Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teenagers in the United States. This is only the number of successful suicides. The National Institute of Mental Health states that, for each successful suicide, 25 others have attempted suicide and failed. The scariest part of all is that these are only the reported incidents. Although there are many reasons that a teen may reach a point in which they feel there is no other option, drug is a factor in about 50% of all attempted suicides.
Teen suicide and drug abuse
Drug use causes a change in the chemicals released in the brain. This is true for all drugs, even the ones that some consider harmless like marijuana. This chemical change added to the already changing hormones that a teen is going through can increase a teen’s chances of developing depression. It can also intensify any depression problems already present. This results in a lethal combination. Because many teens feel unable to talk to their parents about their feelings and possible drug use, many parents find out only after it’s too late. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Hair follicle drug testing
Although many teens will object to any form of drug testing, if you genuinely suspect that your teen is abusing drugs, it could be your first step to helping them. Hair follicle drug testing is currently the most effective form of drug testing on the market today. It is the most expensive, but purchasing this drug testing kit can help you to ensure that your teen is not able to give a false negative test. This is because, although there are a large number of products that claim to alter hair follicle drug tests, none of them actually work. Other drug tests can easily be altered with the use of online or store bought products.
Tags: teen health, teens and drug abuse