“You start with a ‘bona’—a cannabis cigarette—to be able to sleep and you end up dropping out of school,” warns Sofía, a former user, describing how the consumption of this substance can escalate quickly. The use of marijuana and alcohol among young people is not a fad, but a problem that seriously affects their mental and physical health. What begins as fun or momentary relief hides serious and long-lasting consequences, especially during adolescence, a critical stage for development.
The danger of experimentation
The consumption of alcohol and cannabis begins at increasingly younger ages, between 13 and 14 years old, which represents a serious public health problem. It starts as a simple “test” or out of curiosity, but can quickly evolve into an addiction. Dr. Joaquim Raduà, psychiatrist and member of IDIBAPS at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, warns: “Frequent consumption during adolescence can lead to a permanent reduction in cognitive abilities and academic failure.” Since the brain is fully developing during this stage, it is especially vulnerable to the effects of psychoactive substances.
Most people don’t know if they or their friends are high-risk users.
Young people and those closest to them often ignore when the consumption of these substances becomes a problem. “Most people do not know if they themselves or their friends have high-risk consumption,” says Dr. Antoni Gual, head of the Addictive Behavior Unit at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona. This lack of awareness, added to the normalization of consumption in social contexts such as parties or meetings, facilitates the development of serious health problems.
The effects of alcohol and cannabis on health
The impact of alcohol and cannabis on young people’s health should not be underestimated. Frequent alcohol consumption can damage vital organs such as the liver, heart and brain, as well as being linked to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. The risks of regular cannabis use are equally serious. “Consumption of more than four joints a week can trigger serious mental health problems,” warns Dr. Joaquim Raduà. Research reveals that frequent cannabis use during adolescence can cause long-term mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or psychotic disorders, affecting the synchronization of hippocampal neurons and compromising both memory and other cognitive functions.
Talking about drugs does not promote their use; On the contrary, it reduces stigma and makes it easier for those who have a problem to seek help.
Information is the key to prevention
One of the biggest challenges in combating the problematic use of these substances is the lack of information. As Dr. Eduard Vieta, head of the psychiatry and psychology service at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, points out, “talking about drugs does not promote their use; On the contrary, it reduces stigma and makes it easier for those who have a problem to seek help.” Providing information that educates young people about the risks of these substances is key to confronting problematic consumption.
Furthermore, it is essential that this information is accessible, clear and empathetic. The real challenge is to change the narrative surrounding alcohol and cannabis use among young people. It is not about demonizing these substances, but rather about offering clear, evidence-based information so that young people understand the consequences of frequent consumption and can make informed decisions.
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Prevention requires the commitment of the entire society, including young people. Early consumption of alcohol and cannabis can have irreversible consequences, so it is essential to talk about the subject, educate and regulate its consumption. Ultimately, the key to reducing the impact of problematic use lies in education and open dialogue. Only in this way can we move towards a more informed and responsible society, protecting young people from the risks associated with these substances.
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