Five Drugs That Teens Commonly Turn To

In a recent survey, over 60 percent of teenagers reported that drugs were either kept, used, or sold, in their school. This alarming statistic indicates a more troubling reality: teenage drug use is on the rise. Teens are exposed to a wider variety of drugs, and in greater quantities, than ever before. Drug rehab centers for teenagers have sprung up across the country - and many now have waiting lists that are months long. In this article, you'll learn the need-to-know facts about the five most common drugs which are now fueling the teenage drug epidemic.

Marijuana

By the end of their middle school years, over 15 percent of teenagers have tried marijuana. Long viewed as the classic teenage "gateway" drug, marijuana is a drug with a long history that's familiar to the parents of today. However, there are some important differences between today's marijuana and the marijuana that fueled the psychedelic 60s. With advanced growing techniques, marijuana is far more potent than ever before. The drug's active component, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), is present in quantities up to 10 times greater than marijuana produced just a decade ago. Although marijuana does not build physical addiction, psychological dependency is rampant among teenage users. Over time, the drug can also result in short-term memory loss and weakened immune system, putting teens at risk for other health problems.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is the most widely used "club drug" among teens, famous for its ability to induce uninhibited behavior. Ecstasy is normally bought, sold, and consumed in pill form, making the drug especially difficult to spot by parents, teachers, and law enforcement. Because ecstasy affects both the circulatory system and brain function, seizures and heart arrhythmia are particular concerns among teen ecstasy users. Although rarely fatal, the drug can also lead to long-term kidney damage.

Prescription Drugs

According to recent data, over 2,000 teenagers abuse prescription drugs for the first time every month, making prescription drugs one of the fastest growing subsets of illicit drug use among adolescents. Teens misuse prescription drugs for a variety of reasons; however, the most commonly abused medications fall into two broad categories. Opiates like Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are used purely recreationally, and produce a traditional "high." Stimulants like Dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and Methylphenidate (Ritalin) are used to increase alertness and focus, enhancing academic performance. Regardless of intent, studies have shown that teenagers who abuse prescription drugs are far more likely to abuse other drugs as well.

Inhalants

Inhalants are widely used among teens largely due to their easy availability. Inhalant gasses, which give a quick but powerful high, can be found almost ubiquitously in common aerosol spray cans, permanent markers, industrial paints, and chemical solvents. Because of the seemingly commonplace occurrence of inhalant gasses in everyday household products, many teenagers don't realize the risks associated with inhalant use, making inhalants one of the most dangerous classes of drugs used by teens. Inhalant use can cause heart failure, hearing loss, nervous system damage, and other medically serious conditions - even after just a few uses.

Bath Salts

Bath salts are the newest frontier in teen drug use, a dangerous and powerful chemical which has emerged in recent years and exploded in popularity among teenage drug users. Bath Salts are a man-made chemical derivative of cathinone, and produce similar stimulant effects to traditional amphetamines. Billed as a less expensive alternative to cocaine, the drug is readily available, relatively cheap, and produces a profound and persistent high. Highly addictive, bath salts vary widely in their effects among teen users. Although chemically the drug releases a rush of dopamine, a powerful feel-good chemical, agitation and paranoia are also known as hallmarks of the drug. Meta: Five drugs that teens commonly turn to are marijuana, ecstasy, prescription drugs, inhalants, and bath salts. Stastitics show that teen drug abuse is rising.