Flagstaff High School

The Dangers of Addiction Among Teenagers in High School

Erika Begay

           Substance abuse can be harmful no matter the age group, as drugs will always have a negative effect on the user’s health and day-to-day life. Young people who are frequently abusing substances experience a set of problems. When addiction grabs hold of you, it primarily impacts your physical and mental health, relations, and puts you at risk of getting involved with the juvenile justice system. Addiction can affect you in ways you may not even think of, and it is important to know these cons, to make informed decisions.

            Addiction and substance abuse increase the risk of death due to being under the influence, such as vehicular accidents, homicide, and overdose. The use of substances can also increase risks of the transmission of HIV and AIDS, as bodily fluids can be easily shared through sexual contact and the sharing of vapes/e-cigarettes and drug injection equipment. Addiction has also been linked to mental health problems like depression, withdrawal, developmental issues, and other mental dysfunctions. This puts youth at a higher risk of developing these problems, ultimately increasing personality disorders, thoughts of suicide, attempted suicide, and suicide itself. Marijuana and alcohol are popular substances used by younger people, and hold the highest chance of developing short-term memory, difficulties learning, and brain fog after long-term use.

            Substance abuse not only affects your health, but your future and relations with peers. Teenagers who are abusing substances in high school may start to disengage in school, activities, and other social situations. It is also known to shift your focus while in school, not allowing you to properly concentrate and stay on top of school priorities. Addiction can isolate you from peers and ruin relations with family and friends, depriving you from support and social interactions. When asked how addiction affected their family, a Flagstaff High School sophomore who wishes to remain anonymous states, “—this stained not only my relationship with my brother, it also stained my family’s relationship with him”. Recovering from these fall-outs is a common issue in families who have someone struggling with addiction, especially if the family already has a history of addictions. This is also how some teens are exposed to drug-use, which is why addiction shouldn’t be thought to be any better in adulthood as well. 

            Addiction puts youth and adolescents at risk of drug-related crimes, like illegally buying, stealing, selling, and consuming it. These actions can get you involved with the juvenile justice system. The addiction among teens and young adults also affects the economy by increasing the amount of support needed for adolescents, who cannot support themselves and also increases the demands for medical and other services for these youth.