Substance abuse is dangerous

Dr Mazvita Machinga
SUBSTANCE abuse at any age can be devastating to the mind, body and spirit, but especially when young, addiction or dependence can define the direction of a growing individual’s future. If your teenager or young adult is using alcohol, tobacco or drugs, take it seriously. There is help available. Remember, the choices that our young ones make when young can help define who they will be for the rest of their lives. Soon after examinations, students and parents will be waiting for results. In some instances, there isn’t much meaningful occupation of these young ones as they wait for their results.

Thus, moving around neighbourhoods and in residential places, a common observation is seeing groups of young ones loitering. We start to see the influence of peer pressure and in the process some young ones may start to engage in antisocial behaviours just because they are bored.

One of the things is the likeliness of young ones experimenting on substance and alcohol. Teenagers for instance, tend to try new things and take risks, so they may take drugs or drink alcohol because it seems exciting.

They may do it because:

• They want to fit in with friends or certain groups.
• They like the way it makes them feel.
• They believe it makes them feel more grown up.

This article attempts to highlight why alcohol and substance abuse is dangerous for young ones. As parents and caregivers you need to be alert, identify any abuse of alcohol or substance by our young ones and respond instantaneously.

You do not need to delay, talk to your child; refer the child for counselling if necessary. Research in psychology and neuroscience shows that an individual’s personality and intelligence develops during childhood, teenage and young adult years until becoming mature somewhere around the age 25. So, one’s possibilities’ are shaped when one is young.

During our younger years, we write the story we tell about ourselves – who are you, how do you understand your worth and your potential? Then you live this story through your adult life. In other words, the person you shape while still in your teenage years or early adulthood, can be the person you’re stuck with the rest of your life.

So allowing drugs or alcohol to influence young persons can affect not just who there are today, but who they can become and will become.

Substance abuse can lead to serious future problems for your child such as: damage to the developing brain; risk of developing addiction disorder; long term health risk; legal and social problems. Substances of abuse influences your child’s developing brain. Abusing alcohol can change or stop proper brain development of a growing young person.

The developing brain may be particularly vulnerable to adverse alcohol effects and in particular the decision-making, activities of reasoning, planning and learning.

Research on addiction indicates that people who start drinking and using at an earlier age are more likely to develop alcohol abuse and dependence and part of this, again, is due to the structure and function of the adolescent brain.

The longer you subject your body to substances of abuse, the more likely you are to eventually experience health consequences like cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis, cancers etc. So, as parents it is important for you to be aware of the signs of substance abuse and help your child. As a parent or caregivers the following are some things you may do to help prevent substance use:

a) Talk to your child early about what you expect toward alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Remember, if your teen thinks that you will allow substance use, he or she is more likely to try drugs or alcohol.

b) If you suspect some abuse of substances is going on, talk openly with your child about the problem and urge him or her to do the same.

c) Keep your teenager busy with meaningful activities, such as sports, church programs, or other positive engagements.

d) Know your child’s friends. Having friends who avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs may be your teen’s best protection from substance abuse.

e) Expect your teen to follow the household rules. Set reasonable consequences for behaviour that needs to change, and consistently carry out the consequences when the young one violates.

f) Keep talking with your teenager. Praise your teenager for even the little things he or she does well.

g) Try not to use harsh, judging words when you detect a problem. Be as supportive as you can during this time. In most cases, a hostile, angry face-to-face meeting pushes your teenager away from the family and then follows peer pressure. Let your child feel that a functional home is the best place to get counsel on life issues.

If you don’t know what to do or if you feel uncomfortable to talk to your child about substance abuse issues, ask for help from your medical doctor, from a psychotherapist , religious leader or a trusted colleague/ relative. Always remember there is help available.

For more information and help contact Dr Mazvita Machinga Ph.D. a trained and qualified Psychotherapist in Mutare who offers psychotherapy and professional counseling [email protected], or call 0771 754 519.