Real Teens Ask: How Old Are Kids Who Start Using Drugs?
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Lots of teens have questions about drugs. Each year, NIDA scientists spend a day chatting online with high school students and answering their questions.
At the last Drug Facts Chat Day, soccerstar0 asked:
“On average how old are kids who start using drugs?”
Research shows that drug use often starts in the teen years. You might have heard that, but here’s something you may not know—the science shows that the younger you are when you start using drugs, the more likely you are to get addicted later on. Doing drugs can also cause problems with friends, in sports, and in school.
Let’s face it—when someone tells us not to do something, that sometimes makes it seem more exciting. But drugs can really do some not-so-exciting things to your body. NIDA researchers discovered that drugs can literally change the way your brain works. And since your own brain won’t finish growing until you’re 25, you probably don’t want to mess with that process by doing drugs.
Im 13 [deleted, per guidelines] and im a good friendly fun chill person!
My neighbors take drugs and they smoke it at the park with other kids cALLED “pot heads” It is tearing their mom and dad apart as well as ruining their little brother and big sister’s life.They steal thier stuff video games and bikes as well as small appliances for drug money. I just wanted to share that to show others what can happen.
i am doing a report and i need to know whydo kids do drugs
My 5 year old son looks up to my brother who is 19. I found out that my brother stole $700.00 from my son’s biggie bank one day. It took my son a few years to save that money. He’s dad use to take time counting the money with our son and used that time to bond with him and also as a teaching experience. When my son found out that the money was gone, he literately fell on his knees and started to cry. I will never forget this moment! I never told my son that it was my brother who took the money but I will definitely tell him when he starts high school which is a time that drugs will be a popular topic.
@pwms~crazy There is no simple answer to your question, but you are in the right place to research the topic! Several posts here address that question. For starters, why don’t you check out the following: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/so-why-do-people-like-drugs/ and http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/real-teens-ask-drugs/. You may also want to read Drugs, Brains, & Behavior – The Science of Addiction. Good luck on your report!
thanks you for the information that relly help
tkz 4 the 411 more children need to be more educated on drug abuse and the dangers of drugs like the most common 1……..methanphetamine.some kids do drugs & dont kno it like pop rocks. so, keep up the great work.
Q: has weed ever killed someone
A:no it has not.
just try to prove me wrong
i believe tht doing drugs is wrong and if your 12 you should know better than tht!!!
im doing a report on my teens do drugs and the stuff that the tell me is reall dissapointing
where are people most likely to stat using drugs
@Ricksta That’s a good question – without a good answer. It depends on the person – most people are introduced to drugs by people they know. The “where” could be a party, a friend’s house, or just about anywhere people hang out.
We encouraged our son to attend school parties that he had refused to go to for the first couple years of Middle School. Ironically, as soon as he went to his first party, he was introduced to marijuana and tried it. We had no idea because the “game” is to have a sleep over at someone’s house after a party, (usually at the home of an extremely clueless parental unit.) By the time we figured out what was going on, his grades had plummetted, his friends were not the same and he was on Facebook constantly when he said he was doing homework. For parents I say, remove the computer from your child’s room, take the phone and put it in a drawer when they go to bed, and don’t think you’re child is above it all. Vigilence is the key. No matter how loud the protestations or the guilt. Be their parent first. It’s a very tough time as teens try to figure out where they fit in and the sands are shifting below their feet constantly. Have plans for your weekends, get your child involved in a structured sport activity that requires attending practices and keeping one’s grades up. Eventually, they can stand on their own two feet. But don’t EVER think your child is handling things well just because you believe you’ve given them the tools to think. They will often disappoint you. If that happens, just remember to tell your child first and foremost that you love them no matter what. (You will be angry and it’s hard not to be, but it’s still about guiding your child through some very tough and challenging times.) You won’t be able to see your child as the innocent person you thought they were. But, maybe it’s better to know that your child is growing up, and they need you in a different way now. If you can, stay strong on maintaining control while your child is at home, because they will still have ample opportunity to stumble when they are back at school with friends. Lastly, do not tell your child that you read something on Facebook or Twitter or FormSpring. If you do, they will find other means to communicate. Btw, contact your cell phone provider and use the parental features whereby you can set the hours for sending and receiving text messages on your child’s phone. Sure, it’s time consuming, and often frustrating. But, I’ll guarantee you that you’ll be glad you took the time to do it. The first time your child discovers and complains is the first sign that you did the right thing by imposing the texting schedule in the first place. I strongly recommend taking the time to set up the hours when texting is allowed, and when it’s not. We set television watching parameters, but are overlooking the fact that the same structure is needed to keep young teens from getting involved in unnecessary drama that involves texting and posting on whatever social media is in vogue in your area at all hours of the night, and when you think they are doing their homework.
kiddding lots of help! i did some researh and found out that even some cats are doing drugs now. it’s horrible
@soemone where the heck do you get your information! carazy
Im 12 i think im already addicted it started on the bus with my friend ahe offered me vodka i said sure i LOVED the feel of it the we tried budweiser ehh it was ok i like vadka now shes bringing in some drug pills and the hard drugs cocaine im no longer addicted but im afraid shell one day end up dead i love that girl like a sister i wanna help her but idk how now shes selling drugs all around the school and were just in 6th grade
y0l0. i think i might be addicted to cocaine and marijuana. i’m only 14 and i don’t want to be addicted. i want to live a nice life with a family and such! [personal info deleted, per guidelines]
I tried one when I was six years old but I had it one time. Since then I had never had another ever again plus if did had one my family will take away my pet snake. [name deleted, per guidelines]
i am 16 and 3 years ago i was addicted to meth i was in and out of rehabe mostly cuz i diden beleve i had a problum but when i was about 15 irelized i had a big problum cuz my brother found it and told me he was gonna tell mom and i got mad and tried to push him out the window after that i realized i needed help so i got it thank you to the people at my rehab center thanks to you ill never do drugs agin