According to a recent National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) report, the use of most of the drugs and other substances are markedly decreasing among the teens, except electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), in the United States. In fact, teenagers and adolescents are likely to use e-cigarettes comparatively more than cigarettes.
One can figure out the rising menace of e-cigarettes by the fact that its use has risen to 9.5 percent among eighth graders, 14 percent among 10th graders and 16.2 percent among 12th graders, which is comparatively more than the use of cigarettes. Such a disturbing trend has become a matter of concern among experts because recent studies have highlighted that e-cigarettes are as harmful as normal cigarettes.
As e-cigarette delivers nicotine without burning tobacco, they come across as a comparatively safer and less toxic option. Due to such increased misconceptions surrounding e-cigarettes, manufacturers often sell them as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. Despite such popular beliefs, several studies have shown that e-cigarettes contain potentially harmful chemicals that severely affect the users.
Substances abuse down, but e-cigarettes gain popularity
In order to understand the growing trend of taking to e-cigarettes, some recent findings of the NIDA are mentioned below:
- Cigarettes: There has been a significant decline is smoking as only 2.6 percent of eighth graders, 4.9 percent of 10th graders and 10.5 percent of 12th graders reported using cigarettes in the past month.
- Alcohol: Alcohol use has also declined, with only 7.3 percent of 8th graders, 19.9 percent of 10th graders and 33.2 percent of 12th graders admitted of consuming alcohol in the past month.
- Marijuana: Marijuana use among teenagers stayed relatively steady, which continued in 2016. According to the report, 5.4 percent of 8th graders, 14 percent of 10th graders and 22.5 percent of 12th graders reported using marijuana in the past month.
- Illicit drugs: Overall, teens used the illicit drugs at lower rates than before. While amphetamines at 6.7 percent was the most used illicit drug, inhalants at 1.7 percent was the least used drug.
- Opiates: The abuse of painkiller Vicodin by 12th graders declined from 7.5 percent to 2.9 percent since 2012, with similar trends across the country.
Due to the exposure to advertisements and misconceptions as mentioned above, the use of e-cigarette has gained popularity in 2016. In fact, according to the Surgeon General’s report, the use of e-cigarettes among teens has tripled since 2011, which is quite alarming as not a single case of e-cigarette use was reported in 2010.
Unfortunately, most of the teens are confused about the ingredients in the e-cigarette. Most of them consider it to be made of just flavors. In addition, only a handful of youngsters are able to pinpoint nicotine as the primary ingredient. Only 13.2 percent believed they inhaled nicotine through their e-cigarettes, when the vapor is very likely to contain the harmful drug.
Seek treatment to solve the problem at hand
In the light of toxic chemicals in the vapors of e-cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration has mandated that smokers need to be at least 18 to purchase e-cigarettes. In California, it can only be bought by those in the age group of 21 and above. As e-cigarette has the potential to eventually lead the users to traditional smoking, its rampant use needs to be curbed.
The repercussions of e-cigarettes can be mitigated using medications and detox, which is a scientific process offering professional, medical and personal assistance to get rid of addiction. While cigarettes and alcohol often go hand in hand, a professional detox program can help a person in overcoming the problem of addiction and bringing back good health. It is a simple and actionable process to get rid of smoking and alcohol related problems.
If you or your loved one is addicted to any substance, get connected to the California Detox Helpline. Call us at our 24/7 helpline number 855-780-2495 or chat online to find the addiction treatment centers in California.