Vaping is increasingly popular, especially among teens. The smoking alternative may seem less harmful than cigarettes and second-hand smoke. However, for both teenagers and adults, vaping can have adverse side effects. Today’s ads encourage teens to vape rather than smoke cigarettes. Unfortunately, vaping can lead to other drug abuse and adverse health effects. Luckily, drug abuse treatment programs now specialize in helping teens quit vaping.
If your teen smokes or vapes, call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery to learn about our substance abuse treatment program. Located in beautiful North Carolina, our programs help adolescent boys regain control of their lives. Reach us today by calling us at 866.300.5275 for more information. We can help your teen leave vaping and other substance use behind for good. Don’t wait. Call now to learn more about our successful treatment program.
What Is Vaping?
Vape or vaping is the term used for electronic cigarettes and vape pens. E-cigarettes contain atomizers that vaporize cartridges of tobacco, marijuana flavors, and other chemicals. A battery powers the atomizer as a person inhales. Instead of inhaling smoke like a cigarette, a user inhales chemical-infused water vapors. This may make vaping seem less harmless than smoking. However, e-cigarettes still release nicotine into the body.
Nicotine immediately affects the heart and blood vessels. It increases blood pressure and stiffens arteries. Over time, nicotine can lead to life-threatening heart problems. Nicotine also increases adrenaline, the chemical our body makes to help fight or flee in life-threatening situations. Constant adrenaline can cause adrenal fatigue and increase the potential for heart problems. Research shows nicotine can be just as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Many e-cigarettes can flood the body with more nicotine than a traditional cigarette. There are even high-concentration cartridges to increase nicotine levels.
How Does Vaping Affect Teens?
Today, there’s an increase in teenagers vaping. E-cigarettes are cheaper than regular cigarettes and more easily accessible. Many teens believe vaping is cool and believe that vaping is less harmful than smoking. Other teens may self-soothe with e-cigarettes. Like other drugs, vaping can help teens self-medicate for stress and untreated mental health disorders. Most e-cigarette cartridges are flavored like candy, making them especially appealing to teenagers. Using an e-cigarette or vape pen can cause the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Lung injury
- Popcorn lung
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Increased blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Seizures
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
There are many reasons a person may choose to vape. There’s continued social pressure to vape for teenagers, just as there once was to smoke cigarettes. Some smokers may choose to switch from cigarettes to e-cigarettes in an effort to quit smoking or reduce the tar in their lungs. Although vaping does not fill a person’s lungs with smoke, it can still lead to cancer, lung injury, and other serious diseases. For teenagers, especially, the psychological effects of nicotine often lead to other drug use and addictive behaviors. Continued research shows vaping is increasingly dangerous for adolescents and adults. For teen smokers, an addiction treatment center can help.
Get Support For Teen Vaping at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
The effects of teen vaping are still undergoing extensive research in medical labs across the country. If your teen vapes or smokes, their behavior may point to underlying addiction triggers. The team at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can help your teen cope with daily stress without e-cigarettes.
Our programs for teenage boys treat a variety of addictions and co-occurring disorders to help teens focus on what really matters in their lives. Our North Carolina campus includes equine therapy to help teen boys reconnect with the world around them. If your son or a young man smokes, don’t wait. Call Foothills today. Reach our friendly staff by calling 866.300.5275 or using our online form to learn more about our addiction treatment programs.
