Marijuana is usually making headlines, whether it’s regarding legalisation, criminal activity or medicinal purposes, cannabis is a drug that we’re all aware of. Worryingly, when it comes to cannabis and teens, it’s this exposure that can spark an interest in the drug amongst young adults and kick-start cannabis culture close to home. And while many teens and young adults experiment and then walk away from the drug, for others, it’s not that simple – sometimes, it’s not long before excessive smoking and addiction take hold (if you or someone you know needs help for cannabis addiction, go to Yes We Can Youth Clinics today).
The effects of excessive smoking can be difficult to identify at first, however, as they go undetected it won’t take long for them to make themselves known. With excessive cannabis smoking, you can expect a variety of behavioural and emotional side effects associated with cannabis and teens, including:
– Decline performance at school/work
– Possessing cannabis paraphernalia
– Continuing to use the drug even after serious repercussions
– Lying and secrecy
– Fatigue and lethargy
– Impaired balance
– Poor judgment
– Delayed responses
The idea of your teen struggling with these adverse effects is overwhelming. However, when it comes to cannabis and teens, understanding how cannabis addiction can take hold amongst young adults is essential, so you can provide support and seek help when you feel the time is right. Read on to find out more.
Peer pressure
Teens and young adults alike can face peer pressure daily. Unfortunately, this can also mean that they’re pressured into experimenting with drugs as a way to “fit in” and be accepted by their social group. Young adults are more susceptible to peer pressure involving drugs during times of transition such as starting a new year at school, a new job or a new school entirely after a house move.
They think marijuana is a “safer” drug
Marijuana is a much more appealing drug to young adults, simply because of the lack of information around the long term effects of cannabis use. This means that they’re more likely to try cannabis and continue to smoke it, rather than lighting up a cigarette or trying harder or illicit drugs, where the harmful effects are widely reported. You’ll also find cannabis use in TV, film and online which makes it appear normal and harmless.
They want relief from pain
Mental health issues such as anxiety, panic attacks and even depression are common amongst young adults. It’s this kind of mental anguish that can leave them looking for relief. The effects of smoking cannabis can give them the high and the temporary relief they want from their medical condition. Also experiences like bullying, abuse, being neglected by peers, divorced parents or the loss of a loved one may cause emotional trauma which young adults try to suppress by smoking cannabis. Young adults who are suffering from physical pain may also turn to cannabis as a form of self-medication. Unfortunately, the relief they get from cannabis can quickly spiral into an addiction.
It’s easy to get hold of
As more people than ever before are experimenting with cannabis, using it for medicinal and recreational purposes, it’s never been easier for young adults to have access to this drug. Therefore, it’s simpler to find and there are more opportunities to smoke it without being caught. This ease of access means that dependency is much easier to develop.
Final thoughts…
If you’re concerned about cannabis and teens, your child and their exposure to cannabis culture, reach out to your doctor or consider treatment at a youth clinic.
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
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