Substance Abuse / Chemical Dependence
There are three different terms used to define substance-related disorders, including the following:
- Substance abuse. Substance abuse describes a pattern of substance (drug) use leading to significant problems or distress such as failure to attend school, substance use in dangerous situations (driving a car), substance-related legal problems, or continued substance use that interferes with friendships and/or family relationships. Substance abuse, as a disorder, refers to the abuse of illegal substances or the abusive use of legal substances. Alcohol is the most common legal drug of abuse. People can often stop substance abuse on their own or with a little help when they realize it is interfering with their life.
- Substance dependence
Substance dependence describes continued substance abuse, even after significant problems in everyday functioning have developed. Signs include an increased tolerance or need for increased amounts of a substance to attain the desired effect, withdrawal symptoms with decreased use, unsuccessful efforts to decrease use, increased time spent in activities to obtain substances, withdrawal from social and recreational activities, and continued use of a substance even with awareness of physical or psychological problems encountered by the extent of the substance use. People often need professional help when they develop substance dependence.
- Chemical dependence. Chemical dependence is another term used to describe the compulsive use of chemicals (drugs or alcohol) and the inability to stop using them despite all the problems caused by their use.
Substances frequently abused by adolescents include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Prescription drugs
- Anabolic steroids
Cultural and societal norms influence acceptable standards of substance use. Public laws determine the legality of the use of substances. Substance-related disorders in adolescence are caused by multiple factors including genetic vulnerability, environmental stressors, social pressures, individual personality characteristics, and psychiatric problems. However, determining which of these factors are most to blame in adolescent populations has not been determined.
Parental and peer substance use are two of the more common factors contributing to youthful decisions regarding substance use.
Some adolescents are more at risk of developing substance-related disorders, including adolescents with one or more of the following conditions present:
- Children of substance abusers
- Adolescents who are victims of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse
- Adolescents with mental health problems, especially depressed and suicidal teens
- Physically disabled adolescents
The following behaviors may indicate an adolescent is having a problem with substance abuse. However, each adolescent may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Getting high on drugs or getting intoxicated (drunk) on a regular basis
- Lying, especially about if and how much they are using or drinking
- Avoiding friends and family members
- Giving up activities they used to enjoy such as sports or spending time with non-using friends
- Talking a lot about using drugs or alcohol
- Believing they need to use or drink in order to have fun
- Pressuring others to use or drink
- Getting in trouble at school or with the law
- Taking risks, such as sexual risks or driving under the influence of a substance
- Suspension from school for a substance-related incident
- Missing school due to substance use and/or declining grades
- Depressed, hopeless, or suicidal feelings
The symptoms of substance abuse may resemble other medical problems or psychiatric conditions. Always consult your adolescent's doctor for a diagnosis.
A pediatrician, family physician, psychiatrist, or qualified mental health professional usually diagnoses substance abuse in adolescents. However, adolescent substance abuse is believed by some to be the most commonly missed pediatric diagnosis. Adolescents who use drugs are most likely to visit a physician's of