Effects of Drugs use on Children and Teenagers

This study examines the negative effects of drug use on children and teenagers, including hormonal imbalance, chronic disease, and increased risk of crime. It also explores factors that contribute to drug addiction in this age group and provides strategies for prevention and intervention. The document type is a reflection, and the assignment type is not mentioned. The subject is not mentioned, and there is no specific course code or college/university mentioned.

Effects of Drugs use n
Children and
Teenagers

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY- REFLECTION........................................................................................................1
Reflection on effects of drugs use on teenagers and children................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Drug refers medicine and when it is being taken and used to the some extent and as per
the prescription, has some positive effects. But when it is being used to the great extent and
without prescription is known as illegal drugs and has several negative impacts (Procyshyn,
Bezchlibnyk-Butler and Jeffries, 2019). This study is going to show effects of drugs which have
on teenagers and children. All of them have negative effects such as: it makes hormonal
imbalance, cause chronic disease, make them influence to commit crimes etc. Further, this study
will show some factors which are associated and influence teenagers to commit crimes and
become drugs addictive. Lastly, it will show some strategies by concluding overall situations and
analysing factors in order to prevent teenagers and their family against drugs addictions and their
negative impacts.
MAIN BODY- REFLECTION
Reflection on effects of drugs use on teenagers and children
Before determining and analysing effects of drugs and abuse on children and teenagers it is
important to understand the actual meaning of drug as what is it and for which purposes it is
being used. In the context of drug, I can say that it is a medicine which has some psychological
effects when ingested into the body. It is being given by professionals to people in order to treat
them as well as prevent them against diseases. There are mainly 7 types of drugs which are being
categorized and given to people as per the type or nature of their disease. In this context, it can
be said that when it is being prescribed by healthcare professionals and doctors than it is called
legal drugs. But when people take or have it without prescription and at their own than it is
called illegal drugs. When people have it to the great extent and without prescription than it
affects their heart, brain and other important organs (Wright, Musini and Gill, 2018). One of the
main examples of such types of drugs is cocaine which can cause a heart attack. In this context, I
can say that illegal drugs or having it to the great extent can have several affects on children and
teenagers. With the help of Gibbs model I can share my feelings and experience as what I think
and feel about this topic and effects which illegal drugs can have on children and teenagers. One
of the main reasons of determining and analysing effects on children and teenagers only is
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because: as per the survey, it is identified that in the UK, number of using drugs and alcohol by
children and teenagers is the highest and increasing day by day. As compare to old people,
children with the age group of 10-15 years old have it the most. Own feelings and as per the
knowledge and experience I can reflect on it in such a manner:
Description: In this step, I just what to describe the actual situation as what is happening
and what happens when children and teenagers have drugs in an unethical manner and to the
great extent as well. I can describe it with knowledge and informations which I gain from
different sources. So, it is stated that in the UK it is not uncommon for teenagers and children to
try alcohol and drugs. It is stated that all of them just want to experiment of having drugs in order
to see that how they feel after having it and for impressing their friends. Out of them, some have
knowledge that addiction of drugs using may spoil their lives and that is why they do not try it
again. But on the other hand, there are some teenagers and children who become dependent on
drugs and alcohol as they have it regular basis. Those children and teenagers who become
addicted of drugs, making them understand become difficult as parenting to those children
cannot work. It feels like whatever is being said to them is falling on their deaf earns as they
become numb after having drugs. As per the survey and knowledge which I have, I can say that
in the UK the average age of trying drugs or having their first alcoholic drinks is 13 (Underage
Drinking and Drug, 2017). This is overwhelmingly in a family setting. It is the main reason of
them of becoming addicted because at the age of 13 and 15, their brain is considered still
undeveloped as they cannot differentiate between good things and bad things. It affects their
lives to the great extent. For example: It increases risk of accidents and other injury because
when teenagers have drugs to the great extent and in an illegal manner than they even do not
have knowledge as what they are doing they do not be in their senses. In this context, I can also
say that teen and children’s brain respond differently than adults to drugs and alcohol. So, now I
can share my knowledge about effects which it has on their lives and health. Drugs using possess
several serious risk to physical health and growth of teens. One of the main effects which
excessive use of drugs and alcohol can have on children is delayed puberty as it affects on their
reproductive system. It also lowers bone mineral density which weakens their immune as they
even cannot perform their daily activities in an effective and normal way. Using drugs to the
great extent and on daily basis can affect liver and damages it because drugs using can increases
level of liver enzymes. Other main effects which excessive uses of drugs have on their body are
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it affects their growth potential. As compare to other and normal children, teenagers who have
drugs get difficulties in developing because it shortens their limbs. Rather, physical effects it
have some social effects as well. One of the main effects which is increasing day by day is
crimes. In the UK knife crimes are addressed to the great extent and criminals are with 15-20 age
group of teenagers (Wright, Musini and Gill, 2018). So, I can say that excessive use of drugs
have several effects on children and teenagers as well.
Feelings: After describing the situation and problems of drugs having in general now I
want to share my feelings as what I think in regards to this topic. Before, talking about effects, I
want to share some factors which are associated with drugs using by children and teenagers.
Some main factors include: risk taking, partying, clubbing, changing lifestyle, open indeed
parents etc So, I can say that changing life style is one of the main reason as why children at this
age are having drugs (Fuller and et.al., 2016). I feel that nowadays, parents are becoming open
minded as they think that letting their children free can have positive effects on them. It is good
to some extent but because of changing lifestyle, teenagers want to enjoy their life. They think
that by having drugs, alcohol and partying clubbing only, they can enjoy their lives. They do not
have knowledge to identify the difference between the right and the wrong as well as
consequences of all those which they do. Parents do not stop them from doing these and when
they feel that it can spoil their lives that time children do not listen to them. Other main factor
which is associated with this is risk taking nature. Nowadays, teenagers want to prove
themselves in front of their friends by doing such kind of things and make them prove that they
are risk takers and can do anything. This behaviour and nature of teenagers and children make
them addicted to drugs and crimes as well. Initially they do not think about it as what they are
going to do but gradually they start liking all these things due to some hormonal changes occur
in them. All these reasons make them addicted which affects their lives to the great extent. It
does not only affect their physical health and life bit it affects the whole community or society
(Ruiz-Goikoetxea and et.al., 2018.). Some effects which excessive use of drugs have on children
lives and society include: sexually transmitted disease, increasing rates of crimes, assaults,
wasted academic opportunities. In this context, I want to share my feelings that loosing academic
opportunities can affect their further and whole life. When children and teenagers become
dependent on drugs than they cannot perform their daily activities as like a normal child. They
also become dependent on their family members. Due to this, they cannot focus on their studies
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and that is why they lose all academic opportunities which affect their family as well. In
addition, I can also say that if they start preventing themselves by taking help of doctors and
professional than also it affects their career as they late start in chosen career path. When they
become addicted than it also affects their relationship with friends and family members as well.
They start feeling lonely in their lives and this feeling also put pressure on them to have drugs to
the great extent. So, overall, I can say that excessive use of drugs or illegal use o drugs only have
negative impacts which are discussed.
Evaluation: In this step, I want to evaluate my experience and knowledge which I have
and gathered regarding this topic. In this topic of effects of drug uses I can say that there are
several negative effects which it has. I can evaluate that teenagers or children who have drugs,
have different behaviour than normal teenagers like from mood swings to risk taking. In this
context, I can say that in this age, patterns of brain development plays a significant role in
shaping teen’s personality or behaviour. With my experience and knowledge, I can also say that
it takes approximate 25 years to develop a brain in an effective manner. At the age of 13-20
teenagers find different ways of satisfying their needs, it becomes difficult for them to control
their emotions and feelings. When they do not get right path as they do not have knowledge to
identify the difference between the wrong and the right, they often use bad and inappropriate
ways of satisfying their needs and desires. I can also interpret that after having drugs, children
and specially teenagers feel satisfaction and pleasure and this is the reason as they become
dependent and addict of drugs. Drugs work as like a reward system in neurotransmitters and they
send too many good feel signals to mind and body of people who have and this feelings make
them addict. As time goes on body requires more of drugs to feel same high and pleasure as
before. Heroin and cocaine are main examples of drugs which are being used to the great extent
and make people addict (Mansour, Amarah, Nasralla and Elias, 2019). It can also become the
reason of chronic disease at the age of 13-20 which include: heart disease, liver disease, cancer
etc. For evaluating I can say that excessive use of drugs does not have positive4 impacts but if
people take it to some extent as like medicine than it may have some positive effects. But it
becomes difficult to understand, the good, bad and ugly effects of drugs having. Some positive
sides of having drugs and many of the people have it because of: they feel relax. In this context, I
can interpret that many people including teenagers use drugs for escaping the stressors of
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everyday lives. For example: There are several children and teenagers who feel that their parents
do not support them and due to their busy schedule they do not focus on them. In this type of
situation teenagers use drugs for feeling relax and for not thinking too much about it. They do
not concentrate on their studies due to their family background and in such kind of situation also
they have drugs as they feel that by having drugs to some extent they can perform and
concentrate on their work in an efficient manner. Other main positive effect which it has is it
makes people feel good and make them become socialize. There are several introvert type of
people who feel hesitation and find difficulties in engaging themselves in social activities. Due to
this they feel sometimes lonely. And in this type of situation, having drugs and alcohol to some
extent lowers a person’s inhibition as well as reduces feelings of self consciousness. After having
drugs to some extent, they feel comfortable in all those situations that initially caused them
anxiety.
Analysis: With the help of knowledge which I have and all informations which I gathered
I can evaluate the whole situation, problems along with factors and strategies to decrease this. As
it is already stated that excessive use of drugs has several negative impacts on health or physical
body, mental health and society as well. Now I want to analyse the situation and problems which
teenagers and children face after becoming addicted and having drugs in a detailed manner.
Physical damage is one of the main effects which drugs have. After becoming addict, children
and teenagers face several problems related to their body as several physical changes occur at
that time. Excessive and continuous uses of drugs and alcohol cause cancer, organ damage,
hormone imbalance, gastrointestinal diseases etc. In females one of the main issue occur which is
considered the main problem which can affect their whole life is infertility. Excessive use of
drugs becomes reason of infertility in women and men both. It can also be said that it can also
cause blooborne illness such as HIV and AIDS (Positive and Negative Consequences of
Continued Drug Use, 2018). All of these diseases cannot harm body of children and teenagers to
some extent as it can affect their whole life permanently. So, I can say that many of these
physical effects last for the long run which can spoil the whole life of children and teenagers.
Other main problem which I can share is related to finance. I analysed that people ort
teenagers who become addicted of drugs, their family face some problems related to finance.
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Money which teenagers and children get from their parents spend in buying drugs and it is also
stated that when they do not get money than they steal money from their own house. It becomes
difficult for them to be without having drugs. By hook or by crook they get drugs and it is stated
that those teenagers and children who become addicted, their family loss all of their money at
some point. They have to spend their money in treatment of their children and preventing them
against this drug uses. One of the other main problems which I analysed is poor relationship. In
general it can be said that relationship is the main thing which suffers a lot when addiction is
involved. It happens because it causes tension and stress within family. When parents come to
know about addiction of their children than they become frustrated and cannot focus on their job
and other activities. So, it can be said that it does not only affect the person who have drugs but
also affect the society and those people who are involved with them directly and indirectly. I also
found that in most cases, people who become addicted of drugs they end up isolating themselves
and spare time for meeting and having fun with others. Most of their social interaction involves
other substance users.
Conclusion: In this step, I can conclude the overall situations on the basis of above
discussed effects, factors and problems which drugs have on teenagers and children. I can
conclude that excessive drugs uses have several negative impacts on their body, their health,
their family, social lives. It creates problems related to finance, family, physical health, social
gathering, relationship and legal related problems. It is analysed and can be summarized that
there are several factors which makes children and teenagers drugs and alcoholic addictive. Most
of them are related to their family and society whose needs and lifestyle is being changing day
by day. It can also be said that in this context, it is important for all to focus on this area because
increment of this can affect the society to the great extent. One of the main key players in this
area is family members of teenagers and children. First of all, parents will have to focus on their
children in order to see that what their children are doing for longer hours. I can also say that
drug addiction have several negative impacts in teenagers and children which directly affect the
society as whole (Khurana and et.al., 2017). One of the main problems which above study has
shown and can be concluded overall is: unhealthy thoughts which occur after having drugs. It is
found that after having drugs, people do not be in their senses and conscious and they do not
have knowledge as what they are doing. They loss capacity of identifying the difference between
the wrong and the right. This lack of capacity influence them to commit crime with the main
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reason of having money for buying drugs. It is also stated that many teenagers and children of
the UK who are drugs addictive are homeless and for fostering their family and satisfying their
needs they commit knife crimes.
So, it can be said that from above study that unhealthy thoughts and behaviours of
teenagers who have drugs to the great extent is one of the main problems. Because it affects the
whole society and family as well. Other main problem which occurs is: accidents and chronic
disease like cancer, heart disease. Some diseases last for the long run and can even spoil the
whole life of teenagers like HIV, AIDS and infertility as well. So, overall it can be said that it is
important for the government and families to focus on this area and take preventive actions.
Action plan: From the above study and all discussed steps, feelings, I want to say that it is
important for the government to take effective and appropriate actions regarding this. One of the
main questions which arise is: from where teenagers get all these drugs as selling drugs without
prescription is illegal but still there are several children and teenagers who are getting such drugs
without prescription. So, it is important for the government to make strict law regarding this and
prohibit to medical and others people from selling drugs to people without having prescription.
There are several ways by which this problem can be minimized and we can prevent
teenagers and children from having dugs and becoming addicted of it. One of the effective way
which I want to suggest is providing support to children (Katz, 2017). It is stated that those
children and teenagers who do not get support and attention from their parents, they are more
likely to become drugs addictive. One of the reason is they feel lonely at this age and feel that
there is no one who think about the, It is all happens because of hormonal changes so, it is
important for parents and society to give more attention to teenagers and children and keep eye
on their activities. It is also important for parents to have knowledge about their children as with
whom they live roam and who are their friends because it influences the most to teenagers and
make them drugs addictive. Other main strategy which needs to be taken y the government is
making strict rules and make it compulsory to follow by all like to not sell drugs without
prescription and giving strict punishment to those who commit crimes and sell drugs without
prescription It can create fear among all children and teenagers and prevent them from buying
drugs and committing crimes. Developing people and children awareness programs in this regard
by telling consequences of having drugs in an illegal manner can also be the effective way of
solving this problem. By developing such programmes, they can make people aware about it.
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One of the main reasons of suggesting this way is I analysed that teenagers and children do not
have knowledge and abilities to identify the difference between the right and the wrong. So, with
the help of these programmes, they can be aware about it.
So, I can say that drugs addiction is not good for anyone because it can spoil lives of
people and people who around them and linked with directly and indirectly. By following all
suggested ways, people can prevent themselves against drugs addiction and crimes.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized overall that drugs addiction have several
negative impacts on the lives of people who become addicted. It spoils their life to the great
extent. They feel helpless. It has also shown some factors which are associated with drugs
addiction and which influence teenagers to become drugs addiction. Some factors which this
study of reflection has shown include: changing lifestyle, open minded parents, hormonal
changes, showing off etc. Lastly, it has shown some strategies by which these problems can be
reduced. Some ways which this study has covered include: keeping tracking prescription,
focusing on needs of children by parents etc.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Fuller, C.M. and et.al., 2016. Factors associated with adolescent initiation of injection drug
use. Public health reports.
Katz, P.C., 2017. Supporting Families and Children of Mothers in Jail: An Integrated Child
Welfare 1 and Criminal Justice Strategy. In Children with Parents in Prison (pp. 27-44).
Routledge.
Khurana, A. and et.al., 2017. Working memory ability and early drug use progression as
predictors of adolescent substance use disorders. Addiction. 112(7). pp.1220-1228.
Mansour, B., Amarah, W., Nasralla, E. and Elias, N., 2019. Energy drinks in children and
adolescents: demographic data and immediate effects. European journal of
pediatrics, 178(5), pp.649-656.ventional inhalants on children and adolescents. Pediatric
pulmonology. 53(4). pp.391-399.
Nasr, S.Z. and et.al., 2018. The impact of conventional and noncon
Procyshyn, R.M., Bezchlibnyk-Butler, K.Z. and Jeffries, J.J. eds., 2019. Clinical handbook of
psychotropic drugs. Hogrefe Verlag.
Ruiz-Goikoetxea, M. and et.al., 2018. Risk of unintentional injuries in children and adolescents
with ADHD and the impact of ADHD medications: A systematic review and meta-
analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 84. pp.63-71.
Wright, J.M., Musini, V.M. and Gill, R., 2018. First‐line drugs for hypertension. Cochrane
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Positive and Negative Consequences of Continued Drug Use. 2018. Available through: <
https://novarecoverycenter.com/treatment-programs/behavioral-therapies/consequences-drug-
use/>
Underage Drinking and Drugs. 2017. 2018. Available through:
<https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/teenagers/drugs-alcohol/underage-drinking/>
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