Young people and addiction
Protecting young people from addiction
Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other drugs - during puberty, young people often have their first experiences with various addictive substances. Parents are often right to worry about the consequences.
The topic should not be taboo in the family, but should be addressed openly and honestly. Education about the health risks is one of the most effective prevention measures. Find out here where you can obtain information and find advice and support services.
What addictions are there?
Addictive substances such as tobacco, alcohol, medication or drugs such as cannabis pose a risk of addiction. The latest study results(1), published by the Federal Center for Health Education on World Drug Day on 26.6.2022, show that while the figures for alcohol and tobacco consumption are declining, cannabis consumption among young people is increasing at an alarming rate.
However, there is also addictive behavior that manifests itself in overeating or starvation, gambling, shopping or media addiction. Addiction occurs, for example, when the person concerned compulsively starves themselves, regularly drinks themselves into a frenzy, can no longer stop gambling or uncontrollably buys things that are not needed or used.
1*) The study report is available for download at: www.bzga.de/forschung/studien/abgeschlossene-studien/studien-ab-1997/suchtpraevention/
Does the risk of addiction increase when children become young adults?
Between the ages of 16 and 18, young people increasingly want to go their own way. Many test boundaries and growing freedoms and rebel against their parents. The influence of friends becomes greater. In the clique, at parties and festivals, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis or party drugs come into play at some point. You won't be able to avoid this experimentation completely.
The problem arises when addictive substances become permanent "escape aids" because conflicts and problems no longer seem solvable without addictive substances. However, you can actively support your child in clearly recognizing the risks of addictive substances and dealing with them responsibly.
Where can we find help and advice?
If your child is testing their limits on the way to adulthood, this is normal and not immediately a cause for concern. It often remains a temporary phase. However, if the beginnings develop into serious problems, you can find advice here:
Addiction help directory
If you are concerned about your child's well-being, you can contact a local specialist addiction prevention center about addiction and drug problems. You can find advice centers in your area via the addiction help directory of the German Centre for Addiction Issues
Infotelephone for addiction prevention
This is a telephone information service provided by the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) on issues relating to addiction prevention.
Telephone 0221 892031
(available Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm, Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm)
Addiction & Drugs Hotline
This number provides access to telephone drug hotlines that have joined forces on the initiative of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) and offer advice for those affected and their relatives.
Telephone 01806 313031 (available around the clock)
Non-smoking advice hotline for young people and adults
This is a telephone information service provided by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) on the subject of (non) smoking and quitting smoking.
Telephone 0800 8 31 31 31 (available Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm, Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm)
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