- Oct 8
- Drug Addiction Treatment
E-cigarette use has become popular in the past couple of years, especially for teens. According to a survey from the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 37% of high school seniors tried vaping in 2018, compared to 28% in 2017. However, vaping poses many threats to a person’s physical, emotional and mental well-being.
Many teens who use e-cigarettes think that vaping is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes. But vaping still poses various health risks. Aerosol contains toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other chronic diseases. Scientists who study the chemical compounds in e-cigarette vapor have found at least 60 harmful compounds. Plus, up until 2016, e-cigarettes were unregulated.
10 Signs Your Teenager Is Vaping
If your family member or loved one exhibits changed behavior or physical symptoms, these may be signs of vaping. Here are 10 common reasons to suspect your teenager or young adult is using e-cigarettes:
- Secrecy or moodiness
- Increased desire for salty foods
- Nosebleeds
- Less need for caffeine
- Thirst
- Unusual USB chargers
- Increased willingness to go out
- Disappearing funds
- Bloodshot eyes
- Pneumonia
The Dangerous Effects of E-Cigarettes
Due to the increased number of teens that use e-cigarettes, the dangers of vaping have come to the forefront in recent years. The most common effects of vaping include:
- Decreased attention span and memory
- Increased risk of cancer
- Increased likelihood of smoking cigarettes
- Popcorn lung, a condition involving inflammation of the small airways in the lungs
- Decreased lung capacity due to diacetyl, one of the chemical compounds in e-cigarettes
- Increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- DNA damage and mutations
E-cigarettes contain traces of formaldehyde, an irritant known to cause cancer, asthma, allergies, chest pain, coughing and other respiratory problems. Toxic metal nanoparticles and carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances, are also found in e-cigarettes.
How Gateway Can Help
We know how hard it can be to re-introduce healthy habits into your life during recovery. At Gateway, our trained professionals are ready to assist you or a loved one on the path to recovery. Contact us today to learn more!
