Consumption of Drugs and Substances of Abuse among Adolescents: Risk and Reasons

Adolescence is a crucial period of biological, psychological, and social development; hence, it is at higher risk of drug use and its negative effects. Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage that involves important behavioral, emotional, social, and cognitive changes. Teenagers may be predisposed to begin drug use, develop substance use disorders, and experience potentially substantial and permanent substance-related negative outcomes due to the neurobiological changes underpinning these intricate developmental processes. This chapter includes the study of recent research on this complicated subject, which aims to guide clinical care and research on teenagers. This chapter is about how addiction to drugs and substances of abuse is spreading among the youth and has become a serious problem. The chapter includes all the harmful effects of this practice among youth and how this habit is disturbing the young minds of our country with its bad impact on the thinking and decision-making power of youth, especially in the people taking drugs regularly. Types of substances of abuse and drugs, along with the ways by which they are taken by individuals, are also discussed in this chapter. Diseases associated with it and the neurological disturbance created by such drugs in individuals who are habitual of taking them are also reviewed and mentioned in this chapter in detail. Further, this chapter includes the law and order followed in our country regarding drugs and substances of abuse. Since addiction to the substance is a major problem, it is very important to get rid of this habit; for this, some ways are being used. Adolescent substance use is diverse, ranging from pathological to normal, and it can cause severe short- and long-term illnesses and even mortality. Adolescent drug use issues must be addressed by comprehending risk and resilience factors, underlying neurobiology, and the best developmentally sensitive therapies.

Keywords: Adolescents, Addiction, Cigarettes, Drugs, Substances of abuse, Stimulants.