The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Families and Children: From Theory to Practice

The reasons why any person uses drugs are complex, and the same is true for teens. Wanting to fit in with peers, feeling overwhelmed by their changing brains and bodies, and pressure to perform in school or sports are just a few reasons why teens may start experimenting with drugs. Teens may not seek what is drug addiction drugs out but are instead introduced to substances by someone they know, such as a friend, teammate, or even a family member.

How to recognize signs of substance use disorder in loved ones

This increased intensity can make teenagers more susceptible to addiction. One key area of the brain that isn’t fully developed during the teenage years is the frontal lobe, which is responsible for rational decision-making and self-regulation. https://tecnividrio.com.ec/how-to-wean-off-alcohol-safely-and-effectively/ This lack of development makes it harder for teenagers to control their drug use, increasing the risk of addictive disorders. During her time with us, I assigned her a recently published review article on the potential effects of various drugs on the developing teenage brain 1.

What Are the Symptoms of Drug Addiction?

Women who abuse drugs may experience difficulties during labor and delivery, including prolonged labor, bleeding, and infection. Cocaine is harmful to the heart, and using alcohol at the same time confers a significantly increased risk of life-threatening and persistent damage to the cardiovascular system. Permanent damage to the brain can occur from a nonlethal drug overdose.

• Chronic drug use can lead to heart disease, liver failure, kidney damage, and infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, primarily due to needle sharing or unprotected sex.
• In addition, social workers may provide expert testimony in courts and participate in permanency planning for children in out-of-home placements.
• While most drugs act in the same brain reward systems, the specific changes and effects may be different.

How Pets Can Provide Emotional Support in Sobriety

• Although these medications are effective analgesic and antipyretic drugs, they can cause drug-induced bronchospasm.
• Immediate repercussions entail disorientation, unclear articulation, difficult respiration, elevated cardiac rhythm and hypertension, motor skill challenges, mood fluctuations, apprehension, episodes of panic, or delusional thinking.
• Given her aptitude and enthusiasm, I expected her to find the article accessible.
• Other examples include ketamine and flunitrazepam or Rohypnol — a brand used outside the U.S. — also called roofie.
• Substance abuse is a serious issue that affects millions of Americans and their families.

Untreated addiction also harms family what is alcoholism members, and the effects can last for generations. To diagnose addiction, your healthcare provider may refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist or drug and alcohol counselor. Your provider will ask you (and possibly your loved ones) questions about your patterns of substance use or problematic behaviors.