Substance Abuse, Causes and Prevention in Adolescence

Abstract

The article addresses the pressing issue of substance abuse among children and adolescents, emphasizing early detection and prevention. It defines substance abuse according to DSM-5 criteria and discusses its prevalence in India, highlighting alarming statistics. Factors contributing to substance abuse, such as individual, family, school, community, and peer influences, are explored. The paper outlines signs and symptoms of substance abuse and discusses diagnosis and prevalent substances abused by adolescents. It stresses the importance of prevention efforts, including family influence, educational tools, and early intervention to halt the progression of substance use disorders. Lastly, it underscores the harmful consequences of teenage substance abuse and the necessity of treatment for those already affected. The abstract encapsulates the multifaceted nature of the issue, the importance of prevention, and the need for comprehensive interventions to address substance abuse among youth.