Life as a teenager is an experience that is universally stressful. With the emergence of intense biological changes, increases in responsibility, and a desire for independence, everyday life for modern teens can present its own unique set of challenges, and there are many reasons why teens might start to use substances.
The use of drugs or alcohol early in life causes an increase in the chance that a teenager will develop issues with addiction. During adolescence, the brain is rapidly developing and growing. Drugs and alcohol can affect the growth of the brain and even change how it functions if introduced during this crucial time in development. Because of this, it is critical to prevent teens from accessing and using drugs in the first place.
In our teenage years, there is an ever-present feeling of transition. Whether that means going from middle school to high school, moving to a new city, or parents splitting up, teens are under a lot of pressure to adjust to things over which they have no control. If a teen doesn’t have the skills to deal with these stress-inducing factors, it makes sense that they may turn to drugs or alcohol for an escape.
During the teenage years is when most people first encounter substances being used in a social setting, at parties and other events. This exposure to substance use, along with the desire to feel “grown up,” can ultimately lead to a teen using for the first time. Pair this with the intense presence of peer pressure during the high school years, and you have the origin story for an addiction issue.
The allure of the forbidden can be a major reason why a teen may experiment with drugs. That being said, it’s important to realize that just because your teen may have experimented with drugs or alcohol, this does not mean that they are instantly addicted. Treatment programming is recommended for teens who are experiencing issues with drug or alcohol addiction, so it is important to know what signs to be on the lookout for.
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Signs of Teen Drug Addiction
When a teen is addicted to a substance, there are certain signs of abuse that present themselves. Different substances may cause a teen to exhibit different signs so if you are suspicious that your teen is using a specific substance, it may be helpful to research the potential signs of use for that particular substance.
That being said, there are universal signs of teen substance abuse to look out for:
- Possible changes in physical appearance including loss or gaining of weight
- Constant borrowing or stealing of money
- Spending time with a new or different group of friends
- Changes in sleep habits including sleeping too much or insomnia
- An increase or decrease in appetite
- An increase in silence, secrecy, or suspicious behavior
- A sudden drop in grades, academic involvement, or performance
- Drug paraphernalia in their room or on their person
The key to keeping teenagers from using drugs or alcohol may be to delay their access to these substances. While teenagers potentially use other drugs, the relatively easy access to alcohol leads to higher numbers of issues with teen alcohol use than other drugs.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), research shows that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are at a higher risk for developing alcohol use disorder later in life. For example, adults age 26 and older who began drinking before age 15 are 5.6 times more likely to report having alcohol use disorder in the past year as those who waited until age 21 or later to begin drinking.
There are many other negative consequences that can stem from underage drinking. The influence of teen alcohol use can
- Cause death:
Alcohol is a significant factor in the deaths of people age 21 and younger in the United States each year. These include deaths from motor vehicle crashes, homicides, alcohol poisonings, falls, burns, drownings, and suicide.
- Cause injury:
Teens under the influence of alcohol are more prone to having accidents or getting hurt. The NIAAA found that in 2011 alone, about 188,000 people younger than age 21 visited an emergency room for alcohol-related injuries.
- Impair judgment:
Drinking can lead to poor judgment and risk-taking, including unsafe sexual behavior, drinking and driving, and aggressive or violent behavior.
- Interfere with brain development:
Research shows that young people’s brains continue to develop well into their 20s. Alcohol can affect this development, potentially affecting both brain structure and function. This can cause cognitive or learning problems and increase the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder, especially when a person starts drinking heavily at a young age.
Addiction Treatment for Teenagers at Denver Recovery Center
The responsibility for preventing teens from accessing and abusing drugs or alcohol typically begins at home but, at Denver Recovery Center, we believe it takes a village. That’s why we’re proud to join many other groups and organizations in helping to prevent teen drug use.
In addition to age-specific programs at schools, peer mentoring programs can become a powerful prevention force. Communities can guard against the subtlest pro-drug and alcohol abuse messages. Passing ordinances to restrict access to drugs and alcohol is also very helpful. Enforcing these laws and adding positive youth involvement is beneficial as well.
Tackling the complex issue of teen substance use requires more than one activity or effort. Denver Recovery is proud to join in supporting prevention. We’re also here to help teens who may have fallen through the cracks of prevention efforts.
If your teenager is struggling with substance abuse issues, our programming at Denver Recovery teaches them life skills to help get them back on track. Our rehab facility utilizes two levels of care: partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP).
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)
At Denver Recovery, our outpatient treatment program allows your teen to live at home while coming to our facility for care. This program consists of appointments with an assigned therapist, group therapy meetings, and many other components to help your teen get back on track. This level of care allows your teen to continue with obligations they may have at home while learning how to manage the stresses of being a teen in a healthy way.
Partial-Hospitalization (PHP) or Day Treatment Program
Our partial-hospitalization program is similar to our intensive outpatient program but is intended for teens who may need a more in-depth approach to substance abuse treatment. Your teen will come to our facility up to five times a week, spending most of the day in treatment programming learning ways to cope with the stressors of life, substance-free. Like our IOP program, teens will spend the night at home after programming has concluded for the day.
Denver Recovery Center Is Here To Help
Your teen doesn’t have to suffer from substance abuse issues alone. At Denver Recovery, we can help your teen stop drinking and learn how to live a substance-free life by utilizing both holistic and evidence-based treatment programs. We provide the support and guidance that your child needs to overcome drug and alcohol issues once and for all. Some of the programs and services that we use to help your teen succeed in recovery include
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Outdoor therapy
- Individual counseling and group therapy
- Outpatient rehab programming
Reach out today at (781) 400-8018 for more information about our approach to treating teen addiction.
- What is the process of rehabilitation?
The process of drug rehabilitation starts with an accurate assessment of the needs of the patient. This includes determining the type and severity of addiction issues they may be facing. The process then teaches the patient different coping and life skills to give them the ability to live a life free of substances.
- Is there an age limit for rehab?
No, there is no age limit for rehab. However, there are different types of programs that address the specific needs in treatment for different age groups. The approach to treating a teenager will be different from treating a middle-aged person.
- How can we prevent drug abuse among youth?
Youth drug abuse can be prevented by utilizing a number of different school, community, and law enforcement-based strategies. In addition to age-specific programs at schools, peer mentoring programs can become a powerful prevention force. Communities can guard against the subtlest pro-drug and alcohol abuse messages. Passing ordinances to restrict access to drugs and alcohol is also very helpful. Enforcing these laws and adding positive youth involvement is beneficial as well.
- What do you say to your teenager about drugs?
It is important to speak with your teenager about drugs in a nonjudgmental and open-ended way. By using this approach, you’re much more likely to get an honest answer. It is important to actively listen to your teen and pay attention to their questions and concerns.
- What is rehab used for?
Drug rehab is intended for people who believe that their substance addiction issues have become too much for them to handle on their own. Rehab facilities are staffed by people who have experience dealing with drug use and addiction. Professional facilities can give people suffering from addiction the best chance of a positive outcome in recovery.
- How long can a patient stay in rehab?
A majority of addiction treatment programs last anywhere from 29 to 90 days. That being said, many addiction treatment facilities offer sober living and extended care facilities that can provide indefinite treatment periods.