- Home
- MedBound Hub
- InternshipInternship
- BiographyBiography
- InterviewInterview
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Biotechnology
- College/InstituteCollege/Institute
- Dentistry
- Blog
- Wellness & Nutrition
- Nursing
- Opinion
- Videos
A recent survey has revealed that most teenagers are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but rather other factors that contribute to their high. According to the survey, teens are experiencing stress, anxiety, and pressure to perform academically, which can lead to feelings of euphoria and temporary happiness. This phenomenon is not unique to any particular group, as nearly 20% of high school students have been offered, sold, or given drugs, with 4.3% of high schoolers having in the month before being surveyed.
The pandemic stopped the cycle of new kids coming in and being recruited to drug use.
Richard Miech, Survey Orchestrator, University of Michigan
The federally-funded ‘Monitoring the Future’ survey involves the prevalence of substance use among teens, with 11% of eighth graders, 21.5% of 10th graders, and 32.6% of 12th graders reporting any illicit drug use in the past year. However, it's essential to note that reported use of illicit substances has decreased dramatically since 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic and related changes contributing to this decline. Teens often turn to substances to cope with mental health issues, such as depression, and to fit in with their peers.
Social media also plays a significant role in shaping teen behavior, with a rise in posts and influencers promoting vaping on platforms like TikTok. This can lead to a normalization of substance use and encourage teens to try these substances.
The consequences of substance use among teens can be severe, including addiction, health problems, and even overdose deaths. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, substance use during adolescence is particularly dangerous because psychoactive substances can interfere with healthy brain development.
Researchers have raised concerns about the increasing popularity of nicotine pouches, such as Zyn, among high school seniors. The latest findings show that about 6% of 12th graders have used these products, a significant jump from last year's 3%.
To combat this issue, psychologists are developing new approaches to prevent substance misuse among teens. These approaches include targeted interventions, such as the PreVenture program, which helps young people explore their personality traits and develop healthy coping strategies, to delay the start of substance use among young people, even by one year, which can decrease substance use for the rest of their lives.
Reference:
National Institute of Drug Abuse (Retrieved From: https://nida.nih.gov)
American Psychological Association (Retrieved From : https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/03/new-approaches-youth-substance-misuse)
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Neha Kamble/MSM)
