Hiruni Jayaratne

The Substance Abuse of Adolescents and Youth: The risk of Unintended Pregnancy and Mental Health Disorders

Hiruni Jayaratne - 18 March 2022

 

The use of illicit or illegal drugs or alcohol is    as “Substance Use” and the counter of drugs or alcohol for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts simply defined as “Substance Abuse”. Drug addiction became major public health and social problem in around the world. Mostly the offenders and victims of drug users are youth  and adolescents of the country. Gender, ethnicity, and psychological disorders may lead to the biological factor and external environment can play a very crucial part in drug related behavior. Sexual harassments, previous experience with drugs, peer pressure is some of the external environmental factors which were caused to drug addictions. Substance Abuse can lead to contracting HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancy, and risk of suffering from Mental health disorders such as Depression, anxiety etc. This research is to analyses trends and patterns of Substance abuse of Adolescents and Youth and thereby determining the causes and effects to the  young generation emphasizing the unplanned pregnancy and mental health disorders. This research takes up a qualitative  approach  and  to  that  it  gathers  the  secondary  data  that  assess  the youth suffering from mental disorders due to substance abuse and girls ended up in unintended pregnancy. This concludes while giving some parental tips  and recommendations to the youth.

Key Words -Drug Addiction,  Mental Disorders, Unplanned Pregnancy