Hill Recovery: Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center In Temecula, CA
Why Teens Use Drugs and How Adults Can Help
Addiction is painful for teens and their loved ones. According to drugabuse.gov, 15% of high school seniors used a prescription drug non-medically in 2013. Teens without ADD and ADHD, for example, were likely to abuse Adderall, with 7.4% of high school seniors reporting non-medical use. In addition, 7% of eighth graders, 18% of tenth graders, and 22.7% of twelfth graders reported marijuana use in 2013. Marijuana use continues to rise, partially due to the legalization of the drug in some states.
Alcohol use continues to climb among teens, as well. According to niaaa.nih.gov, 50% of teens have had at least one drink by age 15. By 18, that number increases to 70%. 5,000 people under 21 die each year from alcohol-related illness, injury, or even homicides. Statistics also show that teens drink much more than adults and often have five or more drinks on one occasion, which qualifies as binge drinking.
These statistics are enough to make any parent feel frightened and hopeless, particularly if their teens are already showing addiction signs. At Hill Recovery Center, we want to emphasize there is hope for full recovery as well as prevention of drug and alcohol abuse.
Know the Signs
Many addiction symptoms in teens are similar to the ones in adults.
Parents, watch for signs including:
Poor grades, absenteeism and tardiness, or loss of interest in a favorite subject
Slurred speech and bloodshot eyes
Unexplained weight loss
Memory problems
Lack of personal grooming
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Avoiding old friends or changing friend groups
Skipping work or school
Becoming hostile, aggressive, or depressed
You may also notice money or valuables missing from your home, wallet, or purse. Question your teen right away; he or she may be stealing from you to get drugs or alcohol.
Why Do Teens Get Addicted?
Teens get addicted for myriad reasons. Some overlap with adults’ reasons, but some are fairly unique to teens.
These include:
Depression
ADD/ADHD or learning disabilities
Family changes such as divorce or remarriage
Abuse of any kind; some parents or relatives use drugs or alcohol to abuse or sedate young children – for example, giving a young child high doses of codeine-based cough syrup or melatonin so he or she will sleep. This leads to dependency and possible experimentation with other drugs when the child is older.
Sexual trauma such as rape
Bullying at school or work
Media; A 2011 study from drugfree.org found that 47% of teens say the media, particularly R-rated movies, make drugs seem cool. Teens who watched three or more R-rated movies per month were seven times more likely to use cigarettes, six times more likely to use marijuana, and five times more likely to drink alcohol than those who did not.
Boredom; this reason is common among extroverted teens, as well as teens who crave excitement. These teens often feel a void when alone, and alcohol or drugs help fill that void.
Rebellion; teens often abuse alcohol or drugs to defy parental and other authority, particularly if they think the authority is overly strict. Strict rules can lead teens to turn to alcohol because it frees them to act aggressively. Certain drugs such as methamphetamines and cocaine also encourage aggressive behavior, but not all addicted teens are aggressive. For example, those who choose marijuana or hallucinogens often want to escape and feel happy or high.
Misinformation; once teens see their friends abusing alcohol and drugs, they’re likely to use them as well, or at least be tempted to start. Teens who try to resist may hear “It’s no big deal” from friends. Those friends often claim to be “experts” on their drug of choice and have their abuse “under control.”
What are Consequences of Teen Substance Abuse?
The most devastating consequence of teen substance abuse is death. However, teens need to be aware that surviving drug and alcohol abuse does not mean they will be left unscathed. Substance abuse takes a tremendous toll on physical and emotional health.
Studies show that brain development isn’t complete until the late 20s or early 30s. Therefore, a teen’s brain is still extremely vulnerable to the side effects of alcohol and drugs. Addicted teens often develop concentration or memory problems, worsening academic issues they may have had before or ruining formerly good school records. Addicted teens are also more likely to be aggressive, which can lead to suspensions and expulsions. For high school students in particular, suspensions and expulsions can lead to loss of scholarships and college careers.
Teens who abuse alcohol and drugs are at much higher risk for mental health problems. Depression is a common problem among addicts, but not many parents know these teens are also at risk for personality disorders, bipolar disorder, and adult-onset schizophrenia. Addicted teens are also far more likely to self-injure and to attempt or commit suicide.
How Can Parents Help?
If you suspect your teen is abusing drugs or alcohol, help is one phone call away, and recovery is possible. However, you and your family need to prepare for the recovery process. Confront your teen about his or her substance abuse without threats or punishment. Wait until you are calm, and speak honestly with your teen. Ask open-ended questions about his or her friends and activities and what has motivated him or her to use drugs. Ask how much he or she uses, and reassure him or her that complete honesty is okay and expected.
You can and should talk to your teen about the medical and legal consequences of drug use, but do so without using scare tactics. Instead, emphasize your love and concern, and stress that you know your teen does not truly want to be under the influence. Say something like, “What I see now is not who you are. Let us help you so you can feel like yourself again.”
Once your teen is in a recovery program such as Hill Recovery, everyone must stay involved in the process. Hill Recovery generally works on an outpatient basis to give addicts time with their families. Keep teens accountable and reinforce realistic consequences for substance abuse. Stay in touch with sponsors and counselors, and give your teen plenty of positive reinforcement.
Hill Recovery is located in beautiful Temecula, CA.