Teen use of Marijuana and Tobacco

• 22
• Jul

Looking at the statistics of tobacco and marijuana use and the statistics of overall drug use among our most vulnerable population, our teenagers, it is scary.

When you break out the statistics separately the numbers are not as alarming but when you show them together you see a clear correlation and a growing trend affecting the behavior of our teenagers.  It illustrates the addictive nature of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and marijuana and the effect they have on a yet to be that developed young brain.

Looking at the numbers recently published by the CDC they state “each day in the United States, more than 3,200 people younger than 18 years of age smoked their first cigarette, and an estimated 2,100 youths and young adults who have been occasional smokers become daily cigarette smokers”.

The CDC breaks out these numbers showing that “23.3% of high school teens and 6.7% of middle school students use tobacco products”.  These numbers are down compared to those 20 years ago but most students stated that even though the law prohibits them from buying tobacco products they said it was fairly easy to obtain.

Tobacco use seems to follow social patterns and family status.

• Social and Physical Environments
  • Social norms portrayed in tobacco advertising and in movies promote smoking in young people.
  • Boys and young men are more likely to use certain types of tobacco, although sex differences have narrowed.
• Small Social Groups: Family and Peer Groups
  • Young people are more likely to use tobacco if their peers use tobacco.
  • Young people are more likely to use tobacco if they perceive tobacco use is acceptable or normative among their peers.
  • Parental smoking may promote smoking among young people.
• Cognitive and Affective Processes
  • There is a strong relationship between youth smoking and negative affect, such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
  • Expectations of positive outcomes from smoking, such as coping with stress and controlling weight, are related to youth tobacco use.

Marijuana – In 2012 almost half or 47.8% of the youth aged 12 to 17 reported that it was fairly easy or very easy to obtain marijuana. In the same study 39.9% of those students said they had used marijuana at one or more times.

The younger and more often teens use marijuana, the more likely they are to engage in other substance use and the hire risk of developing a substance abuse disorder. There is a significant link between those who began using marijuana at an early age to have a substance abuse problem compared to those who tried marijuana at age 21. Further, those who tried marijuana were more likely to smoke cigarettes and that number is 93.4% of marijuana users use tobacco products.

The pattern of marijuana and tobacco use follow similar traits such as stress factors, family status, social interaction, and both indicate behavioral problems.

“Teen users are at significantly higher risk of developing an addictive disorder compared to adults, and the earlier they began using, the higher their risk. Nine out of 10 people who meet the clinical criteria for substance use disorders involving nicotine, alcohol or other drugs began smoking, drinking or using other drugs before they turned 18. People who begin using any addictive substance before age 15 are six and a half times as likely to develop a substance use disorder as those who delay use until age 21 or older (28.1 percent (Risk of Future Addiction Disorder) vs. 4.3 percent).”

 

Our young people are being attacked from all sides

The Entertainment industry has a lot of explaining to do.  They expose our children to more violence than most soldiers on active duty in the Middle East see in a four year tour.  They put violent games in their hands such as “Call of Duty,” a realistic military simulation that requires players to kill people, Grand Theft Auto V which made $800 million in the first day.  Yet they say they have no effect.  If that is the case then why did advertisers spend 2012 U.S. $139.5 billion in 2012 to influence our behavior?  I don’t see anyone protesting this abuse of our children.

Have any of these simple slogans influenced you?  Finger-lickin’ good – Taste the Rainbow – This Bud’s for you

This is why Life Recovery Solutions believes our tools will have a significant impact on those who suffer from addiction by providing tools

When you provide people with tools, support and hold them accountable they are more likely to make better choices and become productive, positive members of society.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Adolescents#sthash.9B8OpctV.dpuf