The Link Between Drug Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents: Gender Differences
1. Introduction: The Link between Drug Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents.
Mental health problems are commonly comorbid with substance abuse, and this is especially true for adolescents. In fact, literature indicates a clear association between drug and substance abuse among adolescents and mental health problems (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005). This is a cause for concern, as adolescence is already a vulnerable time during which many mental health disorders first emerge (Kessler et al., 2005). Drug use can exacerbate or even cause these mental health problems, making early intervention and prevention all the more important (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006).
There are a number of mental disorders that have been linked to substance abuse among adolescents. One of the most common is depression. Depression is a serious mental illness that can have a profound impact on an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours (Dewa et al., 2002). It is characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating (Dewa et al., 2002). Depression can also lead to social isolation, as individuals may withdraw from friends and family members (Dewa et al., 2002). Substance abuse can worsen the symptoms of depression or even cause them to develop in individuals who previously did not suffer from the disorder (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005).
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among adolescents, and it has been linked to depression in this population (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005). Boys are more likely than girls to abuse alcohol, and this gender difference may be due to the fact that boys are more likely than girls to engage in risky behaviour in general (Kessler et al., 2005). Nicotine and cannabis are also commonly abused substances among adolescents, and they have also been linked to depression (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005). Girls are more likely than boys to abuse cannabis, which may be due to the fact that girls are more likely than boys to suffer from anxiety and depression (Kessler et al., 2005).
Anxiety disorders are also common among adolescents, and they have been linked to substance abuse in this population (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005). Girls are more likely than boys to suffer from anxiety disorders, which may be due to the fact that girls are more likely than boys to experience stressful life events such as peer victimization (Kessler et al., 2005). Cannabis use has been linked to anxiety disorders in both boys and girls (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006), while alcohol use has been linked to anxiety disorders in boys only (Kessler et al., 2005).
Eating disorders are another type of mental disorder that has been linked to substance abuse among adolescents. Adolescents with eating disorders often use drugs or alcohol as a way of coping with their negative body image or as a means of purging after bingeing (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006). Girls are more likely than boys to suffer from eating disorders, and this gender difference may be due to the fact that girls are more likely than boys to be concerned about their weight or appearance (Kessler et al., 2005).
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is another type of mental disorder that has been linked to substance abuse among adolescents. Adolescents with ADHD often use drugs or alcohol as a way of self-medicating their symptoms, which can include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulty paying attention (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006). Boys are more likely than girls to suffer from ADHD, and this gender difference may be due to the fact that boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with the disorder (Kessler et al., 2005).
There are a number of reasons why adolescents may turn to substance abuse. One reason is peer pressure. Adolescents may feel pressure to fit in with their peers or be accepted by them, and they may turn to substance abuse as a way of doing this (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006). Another reason is curiosity. Adolescents may be curious about drugs or alcohol and want to try them out (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006). A third reason is stress. Adolescents may use substances as a way of coping with stressors such as academic pressure or family conflict (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006).
There are a number of consequences of substance abuse among adolescents. One consequence is poor academic performance. Adolescents who abuse substances are more likely to have lower grades and are more likely to drop out of school than those who do not abuse substances (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006). Another consequence is health problems. Adolescents who abuse substances are more likely to suffer from health problems such as liver damage, lung damage, and heart disease (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006). A third consequence is social isolation. Adolescents who abuse substances are more likely to withdraw from friends and family members and become socially isolated (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006).
Substance abuse among adolescents is a cause for concern because of the clear link between drug use and mental health problems in this population. Adolescents who abuse substances are more likely to suffer from mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, and they are also more likely to engage in risky behaviours such as binge eating and purging. Early intervention and prevention are essential in order to help adolescents who are at risk for substance abuse and mental health problems.
2. Gender Differences in Substance Abuse and Mental Health problems Among Adolescents.
Mental health problems are commonly comorbid with substance abuse, and this is especially true for adolescents. In fact, literature indicates a clear association between drug and substance abuse among adolescents and mental health problems (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005). This is a cause for concern, as adolescence is already a vulnerable time during which many mental health disorders first emerge (Kessler et al., 2005). Drug use can exacerbate or even cause these mental health problems, making early intervention and prevention all the more important (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006).
There are a number of mental disorders that have been linked to substance abuse among adolescents. One of the most common is depression. Depression is a serious mental illness that can have a profound impact on an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours (Dewa et al., 2002). It is characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating (Dewa et al., 2002). Depression can also lead to social isolation, as individuals may withdraw from friends and family members (Dewa et al., 2002). Substance abuse can worsen the symptoms of depression or even cause them to develop in individuals who previously did not suffer from the disorder (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005).
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among adolescents, and it has been linked to depression in this population (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005). Boys are more likely than girls to abuse alcohol, and this gender difference may be due to the fact that boys are more likely than girls to engage in risky behaviour in general (Kessler et al., 2005). Nicotine and cannabis are also commonly abused substances among adolescents, and they have also been linked to depression (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005). Girls are more likely than boys to abuse cannabis, which may be due to the fact that girls are more likely than boys to suffer from anxiety and depression (Kessler et al., 2005).
Anxiety disorders are also common among adolescents, and they have been linked to substance abuse in this population (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006; Kessler et al., 2005). Girls are more likely than boys to suffer from anxiety disorders, which may be due to the fact that girls are more likely than boys to experience stressful life events such as peer victimization (Kessler et al., 2005). Cannabis use has been linked to anxiety disorders in both boys and girls (Degenhardt et al., 2003; Hall & Degenhardt, 2006), while alcohol use has been linked to anxiety disorders in boys only (Kessler et al., 2005).
Eating disorders are another type of mental disorder that has been linked to substance abuse among adolescents. Adolescents with eating disorders often use drugs or alcohol as a way of coping with their negative body image or as a means of purging after bingeing (Degen