Teen Marijuana Users

Research have established that marijuana is addictive and every year more teens are entering drug treatment programs with the diagnosis of marijuana dependence. Sixty percent of teens admitted for drug treatment say marijuana is their primary drug of choice. Marijuana has always been looked at as a gateway drug, and the lighter of illegal addictive drugs to use. The misrepresentation of the dangers of marijuana often get lost along the way when drug education is being delivered due to the way society ranks it amongst what they consider more hard core drugs such as heroin, crack, etc.

Researchers have found that heavy marijuana use impairs teenagers’ ability to retain information and concentrate. Regular marijuana use has been shown to be associated with poor academic performance. During the teens learning years, this is a huge issue. Their brains are not even fully developed at this time. There is an association between an increase in marijuana use and failure to complete a high school education.

Teens are receiving mixed messages about marijuana use. The fact is marijuana is an illegal substance that affects teens in many harmful ways. The early you start talking to your children about the facts behind marijuana use the better. Teens need to be told clearly and often that using marijuana and other illegal substances carries significant health, safety, and legal risks. Here are some facts about marijuana use to get you started talking to your youth about marijuana use:

• Regular marijuana use leads to breathing problems, such as chronic coughing and wheezing. Marijuana contains the same cancer causing chemicals as tobacco. The amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed by those who smoke marijuana are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers.
• The active ingredient in marijuana is THC (tetrahydrocannabinal). The behaviors exhibited by introducing THC to the brain are similar to those demonstrated by alcohol consumption. Marijuana can induce several emotional responses such as relaxation, introspection, feeling “in tune” with the world, and irrationality.
• Drug abuser use drugs such as marijuana as an attempt to deal with the demands of reality. This behavior is directed toward the pursuit of pleasure and reduction of pain.
• Teen marijuana abusers are often underdeveloped emotionally, academically, and vocationally.
• The use of marijuana affects school, sports, and other activities.
• Marijuana affects memory, judgment, and perception.
• Teens who smoke marijuana on a regular basis start to lose interest in their appearance and in every other aspect of their lives.
• The short-term effects of marijuana include memory problems, distorted perception, trouble problem solving, and loss of motor coordination.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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