Drugs can ruin anyone’s mental state. The majority of people that take drugs can see them as a way to escape real life. However, they do it without them realizing they are slowly damaging their health.

Some questions I’m wondering about past drug users are how do drugs affect someone’s mental state? Drugs have affected many people! In an interview I had with a relative he said, “When I was under drug use I could not control my behavior. I felt left out since my parents didn’t take good care of me. Drugs calmed me down and made me feel safe, but that happiness was all fake. Use it once and you get addicted. At this moment I’m not under the use of drugs but there are times that I still feel the need to use them. Using it caused a lot of problems, such as it taking me to jail at a young age, seizures happening often, a lot of mood changes, and violence.” 

My relative also shared how he was able to stay sober, “Something that worked for me is spending time with my family and my girl or if there are any kids using drugs I recommend taking walks or talking to someone you trust. There were a few times I ended up going to the hospital and they kept me there for a few days.” 

Drugs affect people in many different ways! In a article published by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, it says, “Substance-abusing youth are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems, including depression, conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide.” All the things mentioned in the article can affect teens! For example, depression can make teens feel stressed out and confused. Depression can also cause physical, emotional, psychological and social changes. 

It says in an article by Mental Health America, “It’s not unusual for young people to experience “the blues” or feel “down in the dumps” occasionally. Adolescence is always an unsettling time, with the many physical, emotional, psychological and social changes that accompany this stage of life.”

In conclusion,  some people might not see the consequences of drug usage while they’re using it but they will start to notice all the bad effects it had on them when they’re sober. Drugs can cause domestic violence and other types of violence. You have many ways to stay sober such as taking walks, talking to someone you trust, or having a hobby.