Drug abuse!
When it comes to drug abuse, mostly teenagers are the age group that is most vulnerable to drug addiction. The major reason behind it is the lack of knowledge. Most teens do not even get to understand that they have already developed an addiction to a substance.
As per the reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among 5, 1 teen has abused prescription medications. As per the National Institute Of Drug Abuse, around 21% of high school seniors use Marijuana.
So, you see, your child is not the only one who is suffering from substance abuse. The best part is that you have found out that they are suffering from one and want to get out of it. You will get all the information about drugs abuse recovery treatment by clicking, https://www.infiniterecovery.com/drug-rehab-dallas/.
Still, here, in this article, we are going to offer you some basic knowledge and understanding about teen drug use so that you can make their recovery journey a little less challenging.
Teen Drug Experimentation
You might be surprised to know that half of the new drug users are under the age range of 18 years. When it comes to teenage drug abuse, experimentation is one of the most major reasons.
At the same time, experimentation is a fact of life. Just because a teen has tried alcohol or drugs, that does not mean they will definitely develop addiction towards it. In this scenario knowing why teens are more interested in experimenting with all those addictive substances is more important in the first place.
Here are some of the common reasons why teens abuse drugs.
- Stress.
- Peer pressure.
- Curiosity.
- A desire to escape.
A majority of adults who have developed addiction issues first experimented with drugs and other substances even before they turned 21. However, the good news is that the number of teen drug abuse in constantly decreasing
Signs Of Teen Drug Abuse
A number of signs can be witnessed when a teen is using drugs. Let’s look at the common signs of teen drug abuse.
- Bloodshot eyes.
- Poor hygiene.
- Bad grades.
- Loss of interest in activities.
- Avoiding eye contact.
- The smell of smoke on clothes or breath.
- Unusual tiredness.
- Secretive behavior.
- Missing curfew.
- Diminished personal appearance.
- Loss of interest in activities.
- Laughing for no reason.
It is totally up to the parents to initiate a conversation with their children if they suspect that their children might be using drugs. Once recognizing the signs of addiction it is necessary to start self-questioning to come up with the right decision about the child’s health. Solving this problem can be difficult, so parents should be patient and not hurt their children.
Common Drugs That Teens Abuse
The drugs that are most commonly abused by teens are not too different from those abused by an adult. However, the reason for abuse might be different. On the basis of accessibility, teens often abuse a substance.
1: Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the substances that are most commonly abused by teens. The overall social acceptance of drinking at the legal drinking age is actually leading a number of teens to view alcohol as relatively harmless.
Researchers also suggest that teenagers are not likely to binge drink. It might have to do with the particular fact that their impulse control has not fully developed. Binge drinking also increases the risk of addiction among people of any age group.
2: Over-the-counter And Prescriptions Drugs
A number of prescription drugs come with intoxicating effects, and all these are not at all any secret to most teens. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and narcotic painkillers, such as OxyContin, always produce pleasurable effects that teenagers might seek out.
All these substances come with a really high potential for abuse and even overdose.
3: Marijuana
During their adolescence, regular marihuana consumption most often starts. The entire perception of marijuana use among teenagers is changing. Most of the seniors of high schools do not even think that smoking marijuana occasionally carries any type of risk.
Teen Substance Abuse Treatment
Now, after knowing the basics about teenager substance abuse or addiction issues, it is time to have a look at the available treatment options. A number of treatment programs are available there in order to assist teenagers along with their parents to beat teen drug addiction.
All these treatment programs can address teenage addiction rehabilitation, building a healthier home environment, and ongoing recovery, of course.
Treatment 1: Behavioral Treatments
A number of teenagers, who are suffering from substance abuse or drug addiction, often also suffer from some underlying disorders, like anxiety and depression. Behavioral therapy can assist teens in addressing psychological issues which lead to drug or drinking abuse.
For both teenagers and their families, behavioral therapy is hands-on. Here, the individual learns different skills for resisting drug use and coping with triggers. These triggers can be anything from stressful emotions and situations, which lead to cravings.
Treatment 2: Family-Based Therapies
Several substance abuse recovery treatments involve the support group of friends and family of the teen. All these family-based therapies always target a number of potential problems, such as the following.
- Family communication and conflict.
- Problems with school attendance and work.
- Peer pressure.
- Co-occurring disorder.
Mostly in outpatient settings, family-based therapies are usually conducted. Here, the teen individual remains under parental supervision and also gets the emotional support they need while undergoing the treatment.
Treatment 3: Recovery Support Services
Support resources and groups also can assist teenagers in staying sober after the treatment ends. All these programs compare adult support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotic Anonymous.
The community settings of all those groups provide teens a place to share their actual experiences. Several other programs are also there, also offer treatment and care for psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as depression and anxiety.
To Conclude
Teen addiction is one of the most common issues in the United States. Due to the lack of knowledge and understanding, teens often develop a dependency or addiction towards a particular substance. Here, the parents are required to be the ones with the steering for driving the teens into the addiction recovery treatment program.
Outpatient treatment programs are considered the best option for teenagers, as they stay under the care and supervision of their parents. Just like usual, the treatment includes detoxification, combating withdrawal symptoms, and a lot of therapies.
