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Learn how to deal with teenagers when it comes to drug use

Learn how to deal with teenagers when it comes to drug use

At first, there are some sips of alcoholic beverage and one or other cigarette. Then there is a curiosity about marijuana and it can even lead to the use of cocaine and crack cocaine. This is usually the journey of teenagers through the world of drugs, which has started earlier and earlier. A survey carried out by the Educational Portal showed that at 15 years of age, 75% of the young people had already drunk at least one time in their lives and 31% had already drunk them. The results are from the survey called "This Young Brazilian - Alcohol", which counted on 11,846 young people from 13 to 17 years of age all over the country. In addition, 30% of young people started drinking regularly from the age of 14 or 15.

Arthur Guerra - Photo: disclosure

The role of parents in trying to prevent their child from entering this path or helping them, it can make all the difference. Therefore, we interviewed the psychiatrist Arthur Guerra, specialist of My Life and Coordinator of GREA, Program of the Interdisciplinary Group on Alcohol and Drug Studies of the Institute of Psychiatry of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine of USP, to clarify doubts about the attitude of the with the teenager when it comes to drugs.

The teenager is in a very special phase of life: he is ceasing to be a child to become an adult, a phase of change and new experiences.

Why is drug use more common in adolescence? Curiosity is one of the biggest reasons that leads you to try some drugs and, after a while, start experimenting with other heavier ones.

How can parents interfere with a teenager's life in an attempt to keep him away from drugs?

No doubt the main form of prevention is parents give sound example. I find it wrong for parents who let their child try and consume alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs in the home, along with them. What is certain is to show that the consumption of these drugs is harmful to health and does not maintain this habit.

Not even alcohol can be allowed among adolescents?

"Of every 10 teenagers who try drugs, one ends up becoming dependent. "

Exactly. Alcohol consumption is always a negative habit, for three main reasons: firstly because the teenager can not have control over the use and ends up consuming exaggeratedly, it goes by the excitement and by the friends. Second, the youngster's brain where alcohol will act is not yet fully matured, which can impair his school performance. The third, finally, is the greater risk of addiction: the sooner the person starts using, the greater the chances of having health problems and accustoming the body to frequent use of alcohol. parents to suspect that the child is a drug user?

When the father begins to distrust behavior changes. This change is noticed mostly by observing his son's friends - either he changes his friendships, or his friends also begin to behave differently. The teenager may still have a worsening school performance, become irritable, change the day into the night, and talk less in the home.

What needs to be done when the family finds out that there is a drug use situation?

The first step is to observe the behavior and seek to talk to the child. It is very important to understand what type of drug is used and the frequency and to seek professional help.

How to identify that the child is dependent?

Father and son embracing - Photo: Getty Images

If he make an occasional use of marijuana and alcohol, for example, will not have the behavior so affected day by day. It can be a consumption linked to a party situation and sporadic events, but that is still dangerous and needs attention. When the teenager is dependent, he must always use the drug to avoid abstinence. If parents observe their child's behavior and routine and always have a dialogue, they can easily see these differences.Is the treatment of the adolescent different from the adult treatment?

Yes. Treatment in all age groups is usually multifaceted, that is, with several areas involved (psychiatrist, psychologist and others). But the adolescent needs even more of the familiar environment and a great support of the friends. It is difficult for you to reach out to this young man and simply say "you will never use alcohol again in your life". He needs support to understand the reason for this ban, because it is in a phase full of changes and doubts. Often the young man is in the search for answers to his addiction and finds comfort in support groups.

When it is necessary to hospitalize, should the young person go voluntarily or can he be forced to do so? In cases where the young person can not separate things, is in a degree of dependence that has lost the freedom to choose, may even be used an involuntary interaction. But it is bad because it takes away the patient's relative and doctor, which can increase the risk of suicide.

Is hospitalization a guarantee of successful rehab?

"The sooner a person begins to use drugs, the greater the chances of having health problems . "

No. It is a form of treatment that the specialist may indicate, but it does not guarantee that the patient will never relapse again. The chances of success are much greater when hospitalization is well accepted by the person who uses drugs. Therefore, the family and physician need to support and encourage the patient, showing the importance of treatment.

What should be the posture of parents and family during treatment?

The family should always seek guidance and follow all the behaviors that the health team recommends. For example, if the staff speaks "can not use drugs," the family can not allow once for even the child to use drugs. It is difficult because many parents have a hard time seeing their child suffering from abstinence and allow, thinking that only once will have no problems. If the team also directs the teenager to return to school, the family needs to encourage this. It is a measure for him to return to normal life and to be distracted. There are parents who let the child stay at home, afraid that he might get too irritated by forcing him to go to school.

It is therefore both supportive and caring to be stiff at times. When treatment is more difficult because of adolescent behavior and dependence, parents may get in the way if they are too flexible with their child.

How do the most common illicit drugs work in the adolescent's body?

Marijuana causes tachycardia, dilation of the ocular veins, euphoria followed by a moment of drowsiness or depression, dry mouth, anxiety, panic, hallucinations, decreased attention, difficulty in motor coordination, among others. In the long run, it can cause dependence - irritability, insomnia and anxiety when not smoking - memory impairment (attention deficit), sadness, respiratory tract cancer, head and neck cancer, bronchitis, emphysema and chronic cough. Cocaine and crack cause euphoria, decreased appetite and sleep, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, irritability, paranoia, among others. In the long run, the drug causes mood changes, psychosis, heart attacks, chest pain, dizziness, seizures, stroke, loss of smell, nausea, abdominal pain, allergies, weight loss and other problems. , nausea, sweating, clenching of teeth, blurred vision, cramps, dehydration, infarction, renal failure. After drug use, there is impairment in mental functions, especially in memory, which can last up to a week. Intoxication by this type can cause increased blood pressure, panic attacks, loss of consciousness and seizures. LSD causes tachycardia, increased blood pressure, dizziness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, nausea, and tremors.


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