Teens: Alcohol AndOther DrugsExperimentation with alcoholand drugs during adolescence is common. Unfortunately, teenagers often don't see the link between their actionstoday and the consequences tomorrow. They also have a tendency to feel indestructible and immune to theproblems that others experience. Using alcohol and tobacco at ayoung age has negative health effects. While some teens will experiment andstop, or continue to use occasionally, without significant problems. Others will develop a dependency, moving onto more dangerous drugs and causing significant harm to themselves and possiblyothers. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and whichwill develop serious problems. Teenagersat risk for developing serious alcohol and drug problems include those: with a familyhistory of substance abuse who are depressed who have lowself-esteem, and who feel like theydon't fit in or are out of the mainstreamTeenagers abuse a variety ofdrugs, both legal and illegal. Legallyavailable drugs include alcohol, prescribed medications, inhalants (fumes fromglues, aerosols, and solvents) and over-the-counter cough, cold, sleep, anddiet medications. The most commonly usedillegal drugs are marijuana (pot), stimulants (cocaine, crack, and speed), LSD,PCP, opiates, heroin, and designer drugs (Ecstasy). The use of illegal drugs is increasing,especially among young teens. Theaverage age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age12. The use of marijuana and alcohol inhigh school has become common.Drug use is associated with avariety of negative consequences, including increased risk of serious drug uselater in life, school failure, and poor judgment which may put teens at riskfor accidents, violence, unplanned and unsafe sex, and suicide.Parents can prevent theirchildren from using drugs by talking to them about drugs, open communication,role modeling, responsible behavior, and recognizing if problems aredeveloping.Warning signs of teenagealcohol and drug abuse may include: Physical: Fatigue, repeated health complaints, red andglazed eyes, and a lasting cough. Emotional: personality change, suddenmood changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poorjudgment, depression, and a general lack of interest. Family: starting arguments, breaking rules, orwithdrawing from the family. School: decreased interest, negative attitude, drop ingrades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems. Social problems: new friends who are lessinterested in standard home and school activities, problems with the law, andchanges to less conventional styles in dress and music.Some of the warning signslisted above can also be signs of other problems. Parents may recognize signs of trouble andpossible abuse of alcohol and other drugs with their teenager. If you haveconcerns you may want to consult a physician to rule out physical causes of thewarning signs. This should often be followed or accompanied by a comprehensiveevaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist or mental healthprofessional.Excerpts from Your Adolescent on AlcoholAbuse - Harper Collins An estimated 20 million adults in theUnited States abuse alcohol. More than half of these alcoholics starteddrinking heavily when they were teenagers. Theresno question that drinking is a problem in most high schools. Alcohol is ourmost pervasive drug. Teens have access to it at parties, can obtain it fromolder friends who are of legal age to buy it, or may simply raid their parentsliquor cabinets. Moreover, unlike drug use, the moderate use of alcohol isconsidered perfectly acceptable