Drug abuse is a serious problem among adolescents and young adults. The abuse of drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana can lead to physical dependence and addiction. In addition, drug abuse can affect an adolescent’s behavior and well-being. The effects of drug abuse on adolescent behavior and overall well-being depend on the type of drug and the stage of adolescent development. As presented by Angosta et al. (2019), adolescents are at risk for developing a variety of problems because of their drug abuse. These substances have different effects on teenage behavior, but some generalizations can be made about their impact on adolescent health. They may also display poor coordination, impaired judgment, and increased impulsivity. Drug abuse during adolescence has been linked to poor academic achievement, mental health problems such as depression or anxiety disorders, and involvement in the juvenile justice system (Yazdi-Feyzabadi et al., 2019). Notably, adolescents who use drugs are more likely than those who do not use illicit substances to drop out of school, engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, and have difficulty concentrating and solving problems.

The contemporary issue is not a new one. It has been around for years, and it is only getting worse. According to Yazdi-Feyzabadi et al. (2019), drug abuse is a prevalent problem that has been taking place in America for decades. There are many external stressors associated with this issue. The first external stressor is the media, which significantly influences people’s behavior and attitudes towards certain things. Media influences people by showing them what they should be doing and what they should believe in. It is like being brainwashed by the media because you see all these celebrities and other people who use drugs or drink alcohol, and you think that it is good because they are famous and successful. Another external stressor is peer pressure, which can influence someone to try drugs or drink alcohol because their friends are doing it too, so they feel like they have to do it too just so their friends will not think any differently of them (Nawi, 2021). The third external stressor is family problems, which can also lead someone to try drugs or drink alcohol because when there are problems at home, some people tend to turn away from their family members instead of talking about what is going on in their lives and seeking help from them instead of turning towards recreational. In most cases, drug abuse starts with experimentation during adolescence or early adulthood. As presented by Angosta et al. (2019), some people become addicted after just one drug use; others need more time for the addiction to develop. Some drugs are more likely than others to produce dependence and addiction; for example, cocaine can have psychological and physiological support within a few days of use.

The primary goal of adolescent drug abuse treatment is to prevent further use of drugs or alcohol, but there is a range of treatment options available. Inpatient treatment programs are used for adolescents with severe drug or alcohol abuse problems who require around-the-clock supervision and support. These programs can be residential or non-residential and may be part of an overall treatment or stand-alone. Inpatient treatment may include counseling, group therapy, family therapy, 12-step programs, vocational training, and other services. As demonstrated by Yazdi-Feyzabadi et al. (2019), outpatient treatment may be appropriate for adolescents who do not need full-time supervision but who have significant substance abuse problems and require more enthusiastic support than traditional outpatient services. The nurse may observe the adolescent during the physical examination and note any changes in behavior that might indicate drug abuse. For example, pupils may become pinpoint or dilated, and the patient’s skin color may change. Speech patterns may vary, and the patient may have an odor of alcohol on the breath (Nawi, 2021). Before beginning a physical exam or treatment plan, the nurse should interview patients about their current medication use. If it appears that they are taking more than one medication, the nurse needs to ask why two drugs are required instead of one (Angosta et al., 2019).

 In order to define ethical parameters, I would know the parent’s relationship with the child. The second question concerns their relationship with the student and their connection. The primary goal of a substance abuse assessment is to determine whether the individual has an addiction or a substance-related problem. The counselor must not assume that all individuals who use substances are addicted. The assessment process will vary depending on the client’s age and level of development. The counselor must also consider whether the individual has an addiction or a chronic disease. It means that once someone becomes addicted, they have an illness that does not go away without treatment, like diabetes or high blood pressure. In addition, addictions are progressive diseases in which people become increasingly dependent on drugs

Adolescence is a time of significant change and transition, and many adolescents experience stress as they move through this development period. There are many sources of stress for adolescents, including school, family relationships, friendships, and other social issues. There are many ways to support adolescents who are experiencing external stressors. As demonstrated by Yazdi-Feyzabadi et al., (2019), one way is through mentoring programs that provide professional guidance and support to students who need it most. It can be done through one-on-one relationships with an adult mentor or group settings where teens meet with mentors regularly. Another way to help teens manage external stressors is through counseling services. Counseling services also help teens learn about themselves to develop healthy coping skills for dealing with bullying or peer pressure. Finally, family support is another common form of support in adolescent drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.  

References

Angosta, J., Wang, C., & Neighbors, C. (2019). Social influences on adolescent substance abuse. The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development, 1–13. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad436

Nawi, A. M., Ismail, R., Ibrahim, F., Hassan, M. R., Manaf, M. R. A., Amit, N., & Shafurdin, N. S. (2021). Risk and protective factors of drug abuse among adolescents: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1–15. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-11906-2

Yazdi-Feyzabadi, V., Mehrolhassani, M. H., Zolala, F., Haghdoost, A., & Oroomiei, N. (2019). Determinants of risky sexual practice, drug abuse, and alcohol consumption in adolescents: a systematic literature review. Reproductive health, 16(1), 1-10. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-019-0779-5

Angosta et al., (2019), Yazdi-Feyzabadi et al., (2019), Nawi (2021)