Consequences of Marijuana Abuse
Teens who smoke weed often underestimate the consequences of abusing marijuana. It lowers inhibitions, logical thinking, and the ability to reason. All of these can cause serious effects such as driving under the influence, participating in risky behavior, contracting sexually transmitted diseases, not doing well in school and not graduating. Every teen that smokes weed is at risk for serious consequences
The Effects are Physical and Mental
Because it affects brain function, the ability to do tasks can be compromised, as well as academic, life, and athletic goals that require teens to be focused and alert. It can also effect life satisfaction causing depression, poorer education and job achievement, and severe mental health consequences.
Studies show that adolescent marijuana abuse can increase your risk of developing psychosis. Psychosis is a severe mental disorder in which there is a loss of contact with reality, including false ideas and seeing or hearing things that do not exist. Weed can also cause depression and anxiety in teens.
Marijuana is Addictive
Almost 9 percent of teens that smoke pot become dependent on it. It is addictive because it increases dopamine, which creates the good feeling or the high associate with abusing it. Users often keep smoking marijuana to achieve the same high over and over again. This leads to addiction, a disease where people continue doing behavior even when they are aware of the serious consequences at personal, social, academic, and professional levels.
Effect on Lungs and Airways
Marijuana contains respiratory irritants and carcinogens. The smoke contains some of the chemicals found in tobacco smoke. People who smoke pot have some of the same problems as those who smoke cigarettes. They are more susceptible to chest colds, coughs, and lung cancer.
Does Marijuana Use Lead to the Use of Other Drugs?
While most people who smoke marijuana do not go on to use other drugs, long-term studies of high school students show that few young people use other illegal drugs without first trying it. For example, the risk of using cocaine is much greater for those who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it. Using the drug puts children and teens in contact with people who use and sell other drugs. So, a person who uses marijuana is more likely to be exposed to and urged to try other drugs. The brains of adolescents’ are still growing and changing and drugs can stunt this process which may contribute to likelihood of these adolescents to use other other drugs, as they get older.