Teen Drug Addiction

Table of Contents
What Parents Should Know
Statistics on Teen Drug Use
Signs of Addiction in Teens
Confronting Addictive Behavior
Conducting an Intervention
Finding the Right Treatment
About Newport Academy

Between the ages of 12 and 17, many teens experiment with drugs of all kinds Õ¢__Î_ÑÒ alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs and others. With as many as 30 percent of teens in this age group experimenting with illicit drugs, according to the Monitoring the Future study published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, teen drug addiction is a serious problem that parents must recognize and address immediately.

A number of teens who experiment with drugs and alcohol will develop a drug abuse issue that will not only cause problems at home but at school as well, limiting their chances and opportunities for the future in terms of college admissions and employment. For some, drug addiction will become a problem as well, one that creates chronic health problems and increases the chance of overdose and death due to accident. Drug addiction that begins during the teenage years can become a problem for the rest of their lives, especially if they don’t enroll in treatment early on.

When in crisis due to their teen’s drug abuse and addiction issues, it can be difficult for parents to wade through the copious amount of information on prevention and treatment to determine the right course of action for their child. The best choice is always to be proactive, and there are a number of different types of addiction treatment services that may be appropriate for each teen depending upon his or her specific experience with drugs and other mental health and trauma issues.

If you are going through the process of locating an appropriate teen drug rehab for your teen, contact us at Newport Academy today. We can talk you through the problems that your teen is experiencing, explain your options for care, and help you determine which one is the best choice for your child and your family. Call now.

Teen Drug Addiction

What Parents Should Know About Drug Addiction

Teen drug addiction is an epidemic that affects every part of the country. Regardless of gender, economic class and age, or whether the teen comes from a rural area, suburban neighborhood or urban home, no one is immune to addiction. According to Medline Plus, there are a number of different causes that can contribute to a teenager’s risk for the development of drug addiction. These include:

  • Genetics. If either parent has struggled with alcohol or drug dependence, it can mean that the teenager has a higher chance of developing a similar problem.
  • Environment. Teens who spend a lot of time around those who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to develop a habit themselves.
  • Self-esteem. Self-consciousness and self-esteem issues are common among teens but those who struggle with the issue to the extreme are more likely to try to escape those feelings through drug abuse and addiction.
  • Co-occurring disorders. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be a carryover issue from childhood, and other mental health issues like eating disorders, depression, anxiety and more can become evident during the teen years. These too can push teens to self-medicate their symptoms with drugs and alcohol.

Parents may feel helpless in the face of these issues; it’s impossible to change some of them and if they are having an effect on the teenager, parents feel powerless. The fact is that teens in recovery report that their parents’ thoughts and opinions on drug abuse and addiction do factor into their process. Speaking up about your teen’s issues can be an effective first step in helping him or her to fight off abuse of drugs and alcohol. However, if physical and psychological dependence becomes a problem, enrolling the addicted teen in a comprehensive rehab is the best choice.

Statistics on Teen Drug Use

The National Institutes of Health keep close track of the numbers of teens abusing drugs and which drugs they use at different ages. Some of the numbers add up to high percentages of teens experimenting with drugs of all kinds and opening themselves up to the development of drug addiction. By the time teens reach the 12th grade, many have abused drugs and alcohol Õ¢__Î_ÑÒ and some have gone on to develop drug and alcohol addiction:

  • Approximately 48.2 percent of high school seniors reported abusing drugs of some kind.
  • About 43.8 percent of high school seniors used marijuana.
  • Nine percent of high school seniors report abusing inhalants but 14.5 percent of 8th graders report abusing inhalants as well.
  • Among 12th graders, 8.6 percent have abused hallucinogens while four percent report abusing LSD specifically.
  • About 5.5 percent of high school seniors have abused cocaine and 2.4 percent have abused crack.
  • Approximately 1.6 percent of seniors have used heroin.
  • Seventy-one percent of seniors, 58.2 percent of sophomores and 35.8 percent of 8th graders report abusing alcohol.
  • Eight percent of high school seniors and 7.7 percent of sophomores have abused Vicodin while 5.1 percent of seniors and 4.6 percent of sophomores have abused OxyContin.

Signs of Drug Abuse and Addiction in Teens

 

Unusual mood swings and behavior are often normal for teenagers, but if your teen begins exhibiting some of the following symptoms, it may be a sign that drug abuse and/or addiction is an issue, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center:

  • Hostility or irritability
  • Breaks household rules and curfews
  • School attendance becomes irregular or grades slip
  • Relationships with family and friends deteriorate
  • A new circle of friends
  • Money disappears from the house
  • Interest in hobbies or sports stops
  • Sleeping patterns change

Confront a Teen Who Needs RehabConfronting Addictive Behavior

Parents who recognize the signs of drug addiction in their teen are encouraged to confront the situation head on. Remaining calm and waiting for the teenager to sober up is important, but so too is setting clear boundaries and expectations going forward. Many teens like to test these limitations, so it is important for parents to create consequences for broken rules and enforce them if and when the time comes.

Though an emotional response is normal and expected, it’s important that parents use those feelings to propel them forward in helping their teen fight addiction. Allowing the conversation or atmosphere in the home to degenerate into emotional chaos will not protect the teen from the dangers of drug addiction, nor will it stop them from inviting the risks that come with active addiction behaviors.

It is important to remember that drug addiction is defined by the American Medical Association as a medical disorder. This means that it is not an issue of willpower or a choice on the part of the teen to break the rules or rebel. Addiction must be treated medically, often using medication and medical supervision in addition to psychiatric treatment and counseling. If your teen is unable to stop abusing drugs and alcohol, a comprehensive drug rehab designed to meet their medical needs is necessary.

Conducting an Intervention

For teens under the age of 18, an intervention is not necessary nor is the teenager’s agreement to enter rehab. Parents and legal guardians have the right to enroll their child in treatment when it is medically necessary. However, many parents of teens over the age of 18 and many with children under 18 opt to hold an intervention because there are a number of benefits for the patient when their treatment experience starts out in this way. Some benefits include:

  • Identification of addiction. Many teens do not believe that they have a problem with drug addiction. Hearing specific examples of the consequences of their drug abuse from multiple people whom they respect can help them to recognize that they are living with an addiction that requires treatment.
  • Non-judgment. Teenagers struggling with drug addiction often feel guilt or shame. Having a nonjudgmental intervention can help them to understand the medical nature of the disorder and how, with help, they can make positive changes in their life.
  • Encouragement and support. Hearing that their family members care about them enough to confront them in this way can give the support they need to make the difficult changes ahead.
  • Education. Learning what to expect when they go to drug rehab can increase their willingness to get help and their openness to what lies ahead.
  • Preparation. Parents are encouraged to enroll their teen in a drug rehab prior to the intervention and pack a bag for them so that they can leave immediately to begin their new life in recovery.

Finding the Right Drug Addiction Treatment Program for Your Teen

No one knows a teenager better than his or her parents or guardians, and no one else is better qualified to make the best decision regarding their health and medical care. Parents can decide which drug rehab is right for their teen based on their teen’s personal experience. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), some factors to consider include:

  • Drug history. Depending upon the teenager’s drug of choice, length of addiction, and whether or not they mix substances, different types of treatment may be more or less appropriate.
  • Medical history. For teens with underlying medical conditions and those who experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using their drug of choice, inpatient care with medical staff on site may be a necessity.
  • Mental health. Teens diagnosed with a mental health disorder in addition to drug addiction will need a Dual Diagnosis rehab center with programs designed to provide treatment for both the addiction and the mental health issue.
  • Trauma. Teens who experienced trauma during their childhood or adolescence may be abusing drugs as a result. Psychological treatment can help them process the trauma and begin healing, making drugs less desirable as they learn healthier coping skills.
  • Academics. Teens living with drug addiction can’t wait for summer to go to treatment. Many require a drug rehab that can provide them with educational assistance in addition to medical and psychological care.

Teen Drug Addiction Treatment at Newport Academy

Newport Academy offers a comprehensive residential teen drug rehab program for six boys and six girls that includes everything from family therapy and academics to gender-separate residences, experiential therapy, personal therapy and more. We also offer a long-term outpatient addiction treatment program that can help teens get back on track through a step-by-step process of recovery. Call now to find out more about our drug addiction treatment program and for assistance choosing the best program for your son or daughter.