RISKY BEHAVIORS

OF ADOLESCENTS
OBJECTIVES
UNDERSTAND THE RISKY BEHAVIORS OF
01 THE GROWING ADOLESCENTS

IDENTIFY TROUBLE SIGNS THAT CAN LEAD

02 TO RISKY BEHAVIORS AND ITS
COMPLICATIONS; AND

DISCUSS HOW TO AVOID RISKY

03 BEHAVIORS
DEFINITION OF TERMS
RISK- THE PROBABILITY THAT A
HAZARD IN THE ENVIRONMENT CAN
ACTUALLY NEGATIVELY AFFECT
THE INDIVIDUAL.

RISK-TAKING- A BEHAVIOR OF
DOING SOMETHING REGARDLESS
OF POTENTIAL RISKS.
Introduction
Majority of the youth mature successfully
through adolescence without apparent
long-term problems. All adolescents
should be considered at risk due to the
prevalence of risk
behaviors, the inherent developmental
needs of adolescents, and the various risk
factors for
their initiation and maintenance.
The concept of risk has been established
as a characteristic that exposes
adolescents to threats to their health
and well-being. Young people may be
exposed to similar risks but respond
differently.

The Department of Health, in its

Adolescent and Youth Health Policy
(2000), has identified the following
health risks; substance use, premarital
sex, and early childbearing.
abortion, HIV-AIDS, violence, accidents,
malnutrition, and mental health.
NON-SEXUAL BEHAVIOR DATA WHERE
ADOLESCENTS ENGAGE IN VICES.

DATA SHOWS THAT ADOLESCENTS ARE

THE FOURTH HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY
WHO ARE CURRENTLY SMOKING (20.7%)
ADOLESCENT IS LIKEWISE THE FIFTH
HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY WHO ARE
DRINKING ALCOHOLIC DRINKS (38.9 %)
MORE THAN 3 IN 100 HAVE EVER THOUGHT
OF SUICIDE. THIS HAS DECREASED TO
2.4% BETWEEN 2002-2013.
SEX AND MEDIA HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS
KEY INFLUENCERS AMONG ADOLESCENTS
ENGAGING IN HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS AS
SHOWN IN STUDIES IN NCR AND CALABARZON.
IDENTIFIED SEXUAL RISKS THAT WERE FOUND AMONG
THE GROWING FILIPINO ADOLESCENTS
ONE IN THREE HAS SEXUAL EXPERIENCE
FIRST SEX FOR BOYS: 17.6 YEARS OLD, WHILE
GIRLS AT 18.1 YEARS OLD.
ONE IN 50 HAD SEX BEFORE 15 Y.O.
WHILE ONE IN 4 HAD SEX BEFORE 18 Y.O
GIVING BIRTH AT A YOUNG AGE HAS ALSO
BEEN EVIDENT IN FILIPINO YOUTH.
IN THE PAST DECADE, 7.1% AGED 15-19 ARE ALREADY
MOTHERS.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS LIKE HIV
AND AIDS IS INCREASING IN THE YOUTH.
AS OF 2013, 86.7% HAVE HEARD OF HIV AND
AIDS WITH POOR UNDERSTANDING BEING
THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY NOTING THAT 3 OUT
OF 4 THINK THAT THEY WOULD NOT GET AIDS.
ADOPTED FROM DOH ADOLESCENT JOB AID MANUAL 2009
TROUBLE SIGNS AMONG TEENS

sexual promiscuity;
regular use of drugs and alcohol;
repeated violation of the law or school
regulation;
running away more than once in three
months;
skipping school more than once in three
months;
aggressive outbursts/impulsiveness;
dark drawings or writings;
deterioration in hygiene;
oppositional behavior;
refusal to work/non-compliance;
chronic lateness;
falling asleep in class;
changes in physical appearance; and
excessive daydreaming.
HARMFUL PRACTICES
Common drugs abused by young people and their effects:
Marijuana- a plant grown and used worldwide. Usually, people smoke the
leaves but the leaves and the stem can be made into tea, or even cookies.
EFFECTS: Marijuana causes an increase in heart rate and dilation of certain blood
vessels in the eyes, which creates the characteristics of blood-shot eyes. Chronic
bronchial irritation is one of the long-term effects of chronic marijuana use.
Mairungi- is the common name for a stimulant leaf that is chewed in much of
East Africa.
EFFECTS: Negative effects include sleeplessness, anxiety, aggressive behavior,
and hallucinations. Some men are unable to get an erection after they have been
chewing.
Alcohol- is the most common drug and is used worldwide. Because it is legal,
often kept in the home, and comes in extremely cheap local brews, alcohol is
extremely easy to find and consume.
EFFECTS: Further drinking can cause slurred speech and aggressive behavior,
leading to fights, rape, or other kinds of violence. People who consume too much
alcohol can vomit, become unconscious, or even die
 Cigarettes (tobacco, cigars) - a thin cylinder of finely cut tobacco rolled in paper
for smoking.
EFFECTS- The tar in cigarettes increases a smoker's risk of lung cancer, Emphysema,
and bronchial disorders. The carbon monoxide in smoke increases the chance of
cardiovascular diseases.
Cocaine- prepared from coca leaves which are greenish-yellow leaves of
different sizes and appearances. Cocaine; is often called the "champagne of
drugs" because of its high cost.
EFFECTS: A small amount of cocaine will raise body temperature, make the heart beat
faster, increase the breathing rate, make you feel overconfident, and make you more
alert with extra energy. Excessive doses may lead to convulsions, seizures, strokes,
cerebral hemorrhage, and heart failure.
Heroine- Heroin is a drug obtained from morphine and comes from the opium
poppy plant. Heroin is a drug that slows down the user's body and mind.
EFFECTS: When injected, heroin provides an extremely powerful rush and a high that
usually last between four to six hours. Includes a feeling of well-being
relief from pain, fast physical and psychological dependence, and sometimes nausea
and vomiting, sleepiness, loss of balance, loss of concentration, loss of appetite,
an overdose can result in death.
 Amphetamines- stimulants that affect a person's system by speeding up the
activity of the brain and giving energy.
EFFECTS: Amphetamines can cause an increase in heartbeat, faster breathing
increased blood pressure and body temperature, sweating, make the person more
confident and alert, give him/her extra energy, reduce appetite, make it difficult to
sleep, and might make the abuser talk more.
Ecstasy- belongs to the same group of chemicals as the above category that is
stimulants, and is most often used in the form of tablets at rave parties. Ecstasy is
a drug that speeds up the user's system by increasing his/her physical and
emotional energy.
EFFECTS: A person using ecstasy will probably feel happy, warm, loving, and more
energetic. He/she would feel emotionally close to others and might say or do things
that he/she usually would not. Nausea and vomiting, a rise in blood pressure and
heart rate, possibly even death due to overheating of the body, and dehydration or
loss of water are some effects of ecstasy.
Inhalants and solvents- chemicals that can be inhaled, such as glue, gasoline,
aerosol sprays, lighter fluid, etc.
EFFECTS: It can make the user feel numb for a short period of time, dizzy, confused,
and drowsy. They can also cause headaches, nausea, fainting, accelerated heartbeat,
disorientation, and hallucinations. They can damage the lungs, kidneys, and liver in the
long term. They can also cause suffocation, convulsions, and comas.
TIPS to avoid Drugs

1. You do not need to take drugs to be liked by

other people.
2. You do not need to take drugs to feel brave
or courageous.
3. You do not need drugs to cope with sorrow
or disappointments.
4. You have, inside you, the strength and inner
resources to deal with any situation and any
problem.
5. Whatever problem you are facing, there are
people available to help you.
6. You can talk to a friend, a teacher, a parent,
or a trusted person at your church or mosque.