Adolescence is a period when young people explore who they are and develop distinct personalities. They go through many emotional and physical changes and could begin to take serious risks. Marijuana use in teens, for instance, can have dangerous and long-term effects on their health. Learning why teens use weed and its impact may convince parents to get them the treatment they need.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we’re committed to each of our client’s health and sobriety. With our help, your teen can break through marijuana addiction and move into a happier and healthier future. To seek our treatment programs, contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston today at 866.516.8356.
Why Teens Use Marijuana
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 38 percent of high school students smoke pot. There are many reasons why.
One of the most obvious reasons is peer pressure. As they form new friendships and sort out how to socialize, they’re vulnerable to influence. Their new peers may pressure them into trying weed. Even the music they listen to and the movies they watch influence marijuana use.
Tension, frustration, and boredom are other reasons why teens smoke weed. If teens experiment with other drugs, combining them with cannabis can increase or decrease their effects.
Other key factors in marijuana abuse in teens are availability and opportunity. It’s become easy to obtain the drug since more states have made it legal for recreational use. Many teens also have more chances to use weed, especially when they move on to college.
In the majority of these cases, teens believe that pot is completely harmless. They don’t realize that it has physical and mental side effects other than the pleasure that they feel.
Developmental Effects of Marijuana Use in Teens
When teens smoke or vape cannabis, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) quickly passes from their lungs into the bloodstream. It travels throughout their bodies and to their organs, including their brains.
As THC enters the brain, it attaches to neurons with cannabinoid receptors. These receptors usually activate when naturally occurring chemicals in the body attach to them. They’re part of the endocannabinoid system, which has a vital role in brain development and function.
Because of that, weed can cause difficulty thinking and solving problems. It can also cause problems with learning and memory. Impaired coordination and poor concentration are effects that smoking pot produces in teens too. Many of them suffer from impaired judgment as well, which makes them more likely to engage in risky behaviors. In addition, marijuana use can lead to a range of conditions, such as:
- Mental health problems
- Lung problems
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Increased risk of problems regarding pregnancy
It’s even possible for some teens to develop a marijuana addiction. Most of the time, the dependence is emotional rather than physical. However, a physical dependency could grow if the weed contains other addictive substances. This problem most commonly occurs when teens use synthetic cannabis. If you suspect that your teen struggles with marijuana addiction, help them find addiction treatment at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston today.
Get Help for Your Teen at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
Do you suspect that your teen smokes pot? You can get help at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston. We offer a marijuana detox program that can address your teen’s unique needs. Our staff uses evidence-based and therapeutic treatment methods such as:
Don’t let your teen fall through the cracks and become another negative statistic for marijuana use in teens. Get the help that he or she needs now. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston at 866.516.8356 or reach out online to find out more about how to help your teen.
