Teenagers today use drugs on more occasions than they have in the past.
This is according to the latest survey from the Central Association for Alcohol and Narcotics, CAN. We have met one of them – 21-year-old “Wilma” – who started abusing already as a 13-year-old.
It started with an undetected ADHD diagnosis and childhood trauma. “Wilma” felt different towards her friends.
To quell her troubled feelings, she began secretly stealing alcohol from her parents in the afternoons after school.
– Everyone seemed emotional compared to yourself because you had such terribly strong emotions that you couldn’t regulate.
Abused in secret – even at family gatherings
Cannabis was the first drug she tried. After a while it became heavier drugs. Ecstasy, benzo (benzodiazepines) and cocaine were part of everyday life for a long time.
– I met fewer and fewer friends and more and more langurs.
According to “Wilma”, it was the demands placed on young girls that made her addiction not visible to the outside.
She says she became an expert at hiding her addiction.
– I took drugs at family gatherings too. Not much, just some benzo and some alcohol.
Not a larger group – but more times
Isabella Gripe is a researcher and investigator at CAN and in her latest school survey has observed a change in drug use among children in year 9.
– There are not more people who have tested, but among those who have tested drugs, we see that that group has used drugs more times. 20 years ago, people used on average ten times, but now we see that on average people took drugs 15 times, she says.
The future sober
After abusing for six years and several relapses later, “Wilma” finally managed to become drug-free two years ago.
She received professional help from both a counselor and a reception for young people with addiction. The greatest support she found in other young women who had gone through the same thing.
– The life I have today cannot be compared to how it was then. I wouldn’t trade my drug-free life for several million, she says.