Teen Drug Abuse

Teenage Drug Abuse And Addiction

Teens who abuse drugs may have a greater risk of developing an addiction when they are adults.

It’s important to know the difference between drug abuse and addiction. Many teens experiment with drugs but aren’t addicted.

Recognition and prevention of drug use can end an emerging problem before it starts. Setting a good example and having talks about drug use can aid in teenage substance abuse prevention.

Teen And Adolescent Addiction

The warning signs used to determine if a teen or adolescent may have a substance use disorder are listed by Dr. Ashish Bhatt, MD.

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Teen Drug Experimentation

Half of all new drug users are under the age of 18. Experimentation plays the biggest role in teenage drug use. However, experimentation is a fact of life — and just because a teen has tried drugs or alcohol doesn’t mean they will become an addict. It’s more important to understand why some teens are tempted to experiment in the first place.

Common reasons teens abuse drugs include:

• Curiosity
• Peer pressure
• Stress
• A desire to escape

The majority of adults with an addiction first experimented with drugs before they turned 21. The good news is that the rates of teenage drug abuse have been declining. If you think your teen is using drugs, there are teen addiction treatment options available.

Signs Of Teen Drug Abuse

There are many signs that a teen is using drugs. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the pangs of adolescence and actual drug use, but parents can be proactive in talking to their teen to find out what’s going on.

Some common signs of teen drug abuse include:

• Bad grades
• Bloodshot eyes
• Laughing for no reason
• Loss of interest in activities
• Poor hygiene
• Diminished personal appearance
• Avoiding eye contact
• Frequent hunger or “munchies”
• Smell of smoke on breath or clothes
• Secretive behavior
• Unusual tiredness
• Missing curfew

It’s up to parents to initiate a conversation with their children if they suspect drug use. One in five parents who suspects their teen is using drugs does not intervene to prevent further drug use.

Parents can ask straightforward questions in a nonthreatening tone. Simply asking the question “Have you been using drugs or alcohol?” or “Has anyone offered you drugs recently?” can be enough to get the conversation started.

Responding to a teen’s admission or denial of drug use in the right away is just as important as asking the right questions.

If A Teen Admits To Taking Drugs:

Parents shouldn’t overreact if their teen comes clean about using drugs. Overreacting or lashing out can prevent a teen from opening up about their experience. Getting teens to talk is important in determining if their drug use was a one-time thing or if it’s becoming a problem.

Parents should explain how they care about their child and their child’s future. Teens who feel supported and loved are also more likely to stop experimenting with drugs or seek help if they have an addiction.

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New Hope Healthcare – Teen Rehab

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If A Teen Denies Drug Use:

Naturally, there is a possibility that teens may lie about their drug use. Parents should reassure their child that they are concerned and want to help.

If a teen continues denying using drugs but the parent still suspects untruthfulness, a home drug test can uncover a teen drug problem. Therapists, pediatricians, and addiction specialists can also help uncover a teen drug problem.

Call a treatment provider for more information on treating teen addiction.

Common Drugs That Teens Abuse

The drugs most commonly abused by teens aren’t much different from those abused by adults. But the reasons for abuse may be different, as teens often abuse a substance based on its accessibility. Teens are also more likely to take excessive amounts of drugs and alcohol because of how they perceive the risks and dangers associated with use.

• Alcohol

  Alcohol is the substance most commonly abused by teens. The social acceptance of drinking among people of legal drinking age can lead many teens to view alcohol as relatively harmless. Research suggests teens are more likely to binge drink; this may have to do with the fact that their impulse control hasn’t fully developed.

  Approximately 20% of 12th graders reported binge drinking in 2014. Nearly 40% had used alcohol in the last month.

  Binge drinking increases the risk of addiction in people of any age, and the teenage brain is more susceptible to addiction. Talking to teens about theses risks can curb underage drinking.

• Marijuana

  Regular Marijuana users most often start during their adolescence. The perceptions of Marijuana use among teens is changing; most high school seniors do not think smoking Marijuana occasionally carries any risk. More than 20% of teens report having used Marijuana at least once in the past month.

• Prescriptions & Over-The-Counter Medications

  Many prescription drugs have intoxicating effects, and this is no secret to most teens. Narcotic Painkillers like OxyContin and Benzodiazepines like Xanax produce pleasurable effects that teens may seek out. These substances come with a high potential for abuse and overdose.

  Nearly 40% of teens who abused prescription medication obtained the drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinet.

  Teens may also abuse over-the-counter medications. The substance Dextromethorphan (DXM), a cough Suppressant, is found in many common cold and flu medicines. DXM can cause intoxicating effects in high doses, and an overdose is a real possibility.

Teen Drug Abuse Statistics

Addiction Treatment For Teens

Many teens have a tough time dealing with sadness or other unpleasant feelings experienced during adolescence. It is understandable that they may think having a drink or a little Marijuana can offer relief. The best way to deal with stress, however, is to seek emotional support or find someone to talk to.

If a teen has already tried quitting or reducing use and failed, then it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Most teen treatment centers also offer educational support so that teens in recovery don’t get behind in school. The earlier an addiction is recognized, the easier it is to treat.

Contact a treatment provider for teenage addiction treatment options today.