Your teen is growing up. As they grow physically, they’re also growing in independence – and in curiosity about new experiences. Your kid is learning to figure out life for themselves, and that means that they’re testing limits, pushing boundaries, trying new things and experimenting.
That desire for independence is healthy – but some of those new experiences can be harmful to them. One of those harmful experiences is the recreational use of marijuana. Marijuana can hurt your child cognitively, emotionally and socially. And no matter where you live, recreational pot use by minors is illegal.
More teens are using marijuana today than at any time in the last three decades – in fact, today’s teens are more likely to smoke pot than cigarettes. While many adolescents believe marijuana to be relatively harmless or non-addictive because it’s a plant, the truth is that it can significantly, negatively impact their emotional regulation, thinking abilities and physical health.
And while many states are legalizing medicinal marijuana or decriminalizing recreational marijuana for adults, it remains illegal for minors nationwide. Because teenagers hold this notion that marijuana use isn’t a serious concern, it’s important to help them understand the risks and talk to them about pot use early and often.
Marijuana is widely believed to be non-addictive, but the fact is that up to 30 percent of marijuana users develop marijuana use disorder. This is the result of tolerance-building, which leads to dependence.
People who are marijuana-dependent can become temperamental and experience strong cravings when they’re not able to get high, often to the point that it interferes with their life. That’s because their brains adjust to their marijuana use over time, and when they quit, they feel the effects of their decreased endocannabinoid neurotransmitters.
An estimated 17 percent of people who begin using marijuana in their teens will become addicted to it later in life. In the US, 4 million people are considered to have marijuana use disorder.
Cannabis use poses risks to people in their formative years in several ways. First and foremost, marijuana hinders teens’ brain development. Your child’s brain will continue to develop into their twenties, but marijuana use can hinder its growth, affecting their cognitive, emotional and social abilities. Marijuana has other harmful effects. It has been linked to the following problems:
One of the most significant risks resulting from marijuana usage is the potential of Cannabis Use Disorder, which is characterized by frequent cravings or inability to function normally without marijuana.
Long-term cannabis use is linked to breathing problems that are traditionally associated with smoking, such as coughing, wheezing, short-windedness and lung cancer. Researchers have also linked long-term marijuana use to decreased intelligence (lower IQ) and significant mental health problems such as schizophrenia, anxiety and depression.
Marijuana today is a much different substance than it was when you were a teen. Health specialists are concerned about what this means for today’s teens, because the full extent of highly concentrated marijuana’s effects on adolescents’ developing brains aren’t yet known. Most statistics commonly cited in favor of marijuana’s innocuousness are based on research that took place when the market mostly consisted of weaker strains – many of which are no longer cultivated and sold.
One thing that can make it difficult for you to know whether your child is using marijuana is the fact that there are so many different ways to go about it. Here are some of the ways that marijuana is used:
Be aware of red-flag behaviors that could indicate that your teen is using marijuana:
The best way to prevent your kid from using marijuana is to talk to them about it. Sit down with them and be honest, transparent and accepting. Ask them what they’ve heard already about marijuana, and actively listen. As you do, your kid will grow in their willingness to trust you and to share their struggles.
And as you gain their trust, they’ll be more receptive to information you share with them. Tell them about the risks and harmful effects of marijuana, including how it hinders brain development and leads to other long-term health problems.
Young people who realize the long-term consequences of the drug will be much more likely to avoid it, and if they know they have a supportive, accepting environment at home, they’ll be more willing to share their problematic experiences.
It’s important to nip drug use in the bid before it spirals out of control. Most addictions form during adolescence. What begins as “harmless” recreational use can quickly lead to tolerance-building, dependence and full-blown addiction to marijuana and other drugs.
The passionate, youth-centered counselors at Sandstone Care have helped many families successfully navigate their challenges. Contact us seven days a week at (888) 850-1890 to learn how we can help.
Related Posts
