• About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Teen Drug Addiction: 5 Things You Should Know

January 24, 2017 Posted by grant Addiction, Blog, Brain

Drug and alcohol rehabThere is good news in the fight against teen drug addiction. The 2016 Monitoring the Future (MTF) annual survey indicates that past-year use of any illicit drug was the lowest in the survey’s history for eighth graders, while past year use of illicit drugs other than marijuana is down from recent peaks in 10th and 12th grades.

The MTF survey, taken annually since 1975, measures drug, alcohol, and cigarette use and related attitudes among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders each year. Under a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the survey is conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. While the general trend is that drug abuse among teens is declining, there is still much to do to protect the nation’s youth from drug abuse.

Here are the figures from the latest report, which polled 45,473 students from 372 public and private schools:

  • 1 in 16 high school seniors report daily use of marijuana
  • 22.8% of 8th graders report using alcohol
  • 43.4% of 10th graders report using alcohol
  • 61.2% of 12th graders report using alcohol
  • 4.8% of 12th graders report abusing prescription opioids
  • 6.7% of 12th graders report abusing amphetamines
  • 4.3% of 12th graders report abusing hallucinogens

While these numbers were admittedly less than they have been in years past, they are still a reminder of how far there is yet to go in the fight against teen drug abuse and addiction.

If you are a teen who is currently using, or you are a parent whose child is abusing drugs, there are some things you should know.

1) Teens are more likely than adults to become addicted.

Medicine.net explains: “Individuals who begin using drugs as juveniles are at greater risk of becoming addicted compared to those who begin drug use as an adult due to the immaturity of the teenage brain, particularly of that part of the brain that controls impulses.”

2) Teens who abuse drugs are at increased risk for multiple serious health issues.

The type of health concerns a teen will have from drug addiction varies according to the type of drug abused. For instance, inhalants can cause permanent brain damage, stimulants can cause heart attacks or strokes, and sedatives can cause respiratory failure.

Abuse of any type of drug can lead to impaired judgment, unprotected sex, increased anxiety or depression, and even suicide.

3) Some common risk factors that contribute to drug abuse in teens include:

  • Low parent supervision or communication
  • Family conflict and unresolved tensions
  • Inconsistent parental discipline
  • Family history of alcohol or drug abuse
  • Low impulse control
  • Low self-esteem
  • Emotional instability
  • Lack of perception regarding the risks associated with drug use

4) Signs to look for if you think your child is addicted to drugs are:

  • Sudden change in personality and friendships
  • Changes in school grades
  • Lying
  • Becoming verbally or physically abusive to others
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Secretive behavior beyond what is common to teenagers
Drug and alcohol rehab

Regain control of your life by entering into rehab.

5) Help is available for teen addicts and their families.

If you are a teen with a drug problem or a parent whose child is an addict, know this: Help is available. Teens who enter into substance abuse treatment or drug and alcohol rehab can regain control of their lives.

The best way to approach teen drug addiction is as a united family. Families who participate in cognitive and behavioral therapy together can successfully aid an addicted teen to start down the road to recovery.

However, even if you are a teen whose parents do not provide support, you can still benefit from drug rehab on your own. In rehab, you can learn life skills that will help you cope with the effects of kicking your drug habit and with the issues that caused it in the first place. In other words, you can learn how to heal.

 

We’re Here to Help with Teen Drug Addiction

If you need help with a substance abuse problem, contact us today.

Tags: rehab programteen drug addiction
Share
0

About grant

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
grant has contributed 289 entries to our website, so far.View entries by grant

    You also might be interested in

    Animal-Assisted Therapy for Addiction Treatment

    Nov 29, 2016

    Any animal lover can tell you right away that having[...]

    Medical Detox for Addiction Treatment

    Mar 13, 2017

    Even though you have come to realize that living the[...]

    The Frightening Rise of Fentanyl

    Jul 13, 2017

    This past spring, an airline pilot and his wife were[...]

    Recent Posts

    • A Guide to Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Centers
    • What to Look for When Searching for the Right Rehab Facilities in St. Louis
    • The Benefits of a Holistic Inpatient Rehab for Alcohol Addiction – The Solution You’ve Been Searching For
    • What to Expect from Your 28-Day Residential Treatment Program
    • The Difference Between Intensive Inpatient Therapy (24-Hour Drug Rehab Centers) and Other Facilities

    Insurance Providers

    Substance use insurance coverage and benefits can be multifaceted and will vary with the different insurance companies and plans. The Harris House Insurance Department has experience working with insurance providers to get our clients the maximum benefits possible. Let our staff do the work for you. LEARN MORE

    Insurance Providers Insurance Providers Insurance Providers

    Credentialing Partners

    Harris House is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). Harris House is also certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, approved by the Better Business Bureau as an A+ accredited charity and a proud member of United Way of Greater St. Louis. LEARN MORE

    DMH Carf BBB United Way

    Contact Us

    Let your recovery begin

    We're here to help.

    Please reach out with any questions

    CONTACT US

    314-631-4299

    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate

    Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

    Harris HouseHarris House
    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
    About Us
    Treatments
    Resources
    Gallery
    Contact Us
    Donate

    For individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, Harris House helps people achieve sobriety and become healthy and productive individuals. Since our founding in 1961, Harris House has grown to become a top-rated non-profit treatment center.

    CALL US TODAY

    314-631-4299

    2706 S. River Rd
    St. Charles, MO 63303

    8315 South Broadway
    St. Louis, MO 63111

    © 2023 HARRIS HOUSE FOUNDATION.

    Prev Next