Teen Marijuana Facts
First of all, there are teen marijuana facts and myths that confuse parents struggling to figure out what is happening with their teens. Many parents and teens believe that marijuana is not addictive. Few develop severe physical withdrawal symptoms, but most who abuse marijuana will become emotionally and psychologically dependent upon the drug.
Substance use disorder of any kind requires therapeutic treatment to ensure that the patient does not relapse. When he or she returns to the same situations that initially triggered the perceived need for the drug, it is a threat. Hence the need to prevent relapse.
Marijuana is Harmful
Not only is marijuana highly addictive, it is extremely harmful to users, especially when in the developmental stages. Teens between the ages of 12 and 17 are experiencing great changes. Drug use can mean chemical changes and developmental disruptions that last a lifetime.
Marijuana and Other Addictions in Adulthood
Few teens become addicted to marijuana during early adulthood and then never try another drug or illicit substance. In fact, most adults in recovery are seeking treatment for a substance other than marijuana and report that their initial experiences with drugs included marijuana and/or alcohol.
Often called a “gateway” drug, marijuana is harmful enough on its own but is also often the first step to drugs of addiction that come with the far greater risks. These include risk of seizure, cardiac arrest, and overdose. Therefore we can’t underestimate the concerns around marijuana.
It Steals Your Child’s Opportunities for the Future
If your teen is spending time smoking marijuana, then he or she is not taking advantage of all of the wonderful opportunities that should define the teen years. Hence, the growing concern around this drug.
Getting good grades, extracurricular activities, first jobs, sports, hobbies, friendships ,and church groups—all of these things should be what define your teen’s life. If he or she is getting high, there will be no time for any of that. Many kids end up falling behind in school or dropping out. They get kicked off sports teams, extracurricular activities, and community groups if they are caught with drugs or getting high. If your teen is smoking marijuana, all the future holds is more of the same, unless you opt for a teen marijuana rehab program. Therefore, you must review the treatment options.
Teen Treatment Options
There is no cure for marijuana addiction and therefore no guarantee that your teen will not relapse due to this chronic illness. But, teen marijuana addiction treatment will help teach teens what they need to know for a positive recovery. Educational classes about how marijuana affects the body and mind is a great place to start. Quality treatment will include family therapy, personal therapy, group therapy, and experiential therapy. These services will be provided during inpatient or outpatient treatment. They can help your teen make the changes necessary to create a new life.
Marijuana Addiction Myths
Addiction is a Myth
Perhaps the biggest myth of all is that marijuana addiction does not exist. Many believe that it is impossible to become addicted to marijuana no matter how often it is abused. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Many teens in recovery attest to the addictive nature of marijuana and the need for marijuana treatment.
Tobacco is More Harmful to Teens than Marijuana
While it’s true that tobacco is harmful to teens, marijuana is just as harmful. In fact, some studies suggest that marijuana smoke is far more damaging to the lungs, throat, and mouth than tobacco smoke, making its use by far more harmful than smoking cigarettes.
Marijuana Calms High-Energy Teens
Studies show that kids who abuse the drug multiple times in a week are more likely than non-users to engage in incidents of aggression. Consequently, the stoner perception is far off the mark.
Marijuana is not calming for teens. According to the study, those who used the drug two or fewer times were more likely to break rules and destroy their own possessions. Those who used marijuana four times or more were more likely to hurt others, steal, and damage public property or the property of others.
It is a Medicine
Not for teens. Almost no teens have a prescription for medical marijuana. Furthermore, illegal use of an adult’s prescription can get the adult in more trouble than the child.
Addiction is Not a Big Deal
Teen marijuana addiction is, in fact, a huge deal.
Between 1992 and the year 2000, teens seeking medical care primarily for marijuana addiction increased from six percent to 15 percent. Almost half of all patients admitted into drug rehab for marijuana addiction are under the age of 20.
It is Harmless
The different ways that marijuana harms teenagers who abuse the drug are almost limitless. Their school performance, their friendships, their relationships with parents, positive interactions and balanced mental state – all these things are harmed when marijuana is a part of a teen’s life.
It Doesn’t Hurt Anyone
Teen marijuana addiction hurts not only the addicted teen but their parents, siblings, other close family members and friends – everyone close to the teen.
Teens Are Rarely Exposed to Marijuana
Marijuana is the second most commonly abused drug among teens aged 12 to 17. They are exposed to it at school, at work, at church and occasionally at home. Friends may offer them the drug or older siblings may introduce them to getting high. About 60 percent of high school teens say they know where to go to get drugs.
Parents Are Powerless Against Teen Marijuana Addiction
Research shows that many teens report that they listen when their parents warn them about drugs and alcohol, including marijuana. In many cases, they avoid marijuana abuse during their younger years and some skip it altogether based on the warnings of their parents.
Many teens in recovery report that it was the care and intervention of their parents that allowed them to get the treatment they needed.
It is Untreatable
False. Newport Academy offers a comprehensive teen marijuana rehab program that can help your child heal. Contact us today for more information.
Abuse is Normal
Teen marijuana abuse is not the behavior of a “normal” teenager. Though a single experimentation is not uncommon, many teens never abuse drugs or alcohol during their high school years. Those who do and continue to abuse the drug often have other issues they are struggling with and attempting to escape from by smoking marijuana.
Help your teen deal with these issues through psychological treatment and you’ll help them get rid of the impulse to smoke marijuana and/or try other dangerous drugs.
It is Okay as Long as He or She Does It at Home
Some parents believe that if they are able to supervise their teen while he or she smokes marijuana or drinks alcohol that it will somehow protect them from making bad choices while under the influence – like driving or having unprotected sex. Unfortunately, this is not only an ill-advised decision but an illegal one. Parents who allow their teens to abuse any drug, including alcohol, at home can be held liable in court. Additionally, the privilege of abusing illegal drugs at home does nothing but reinforce the idea that it’s okay to break rules that aren’t liked and opens the door to the idea that other drugs may be safe as well.
Treatment at Newport Academy
Contact us at Newport Academy today to learn more about teen marijuana addiction and the treatment that will help your child heal. Call now.