Adolescent Substance Abuse

The adolescent years can be confusing and challenging. Some adolescents, especially those who aren't receiving the support and guidance they need at home, may turn to substance abuse as way to cope.

Adolescents may consider their drug use to be "casual" or "no big deal," but even casual drug use is harmful. First, drug abuse is illegal and can lead to arrest or even incarceration. But even if legal troubled is avoided, adolescent substance abuse can have many other consequences.

Adolescents who use drugs often find that their academic performance drops significantly, and that relationships with family and friends are strained. Adolescent drug use can greatly alter behavior, and preoccupation with drugs can crowd out activities that were previously important.

These changes, and others like them, may signal that an adolescent is abusing drugs and needs help. Parents, friends, and teachers should intervene as quickly as possible. Parents need to be good observers of their children's behaviors, and take note of any changes that seem important.

Signs of substance abuse include the following:

1. Physical evidence of drugs or drug paraphernalia
2. Behavioral problems and a drop in academic performance
3. Emotional distancing, depression, or fatigue
4. Changes in mood, eating patterns, or sleeping patterns
5. Change in friendships
6. Increased hostility or irritability
7. Change in personal hygiene habits
8. Lying or evasiveness about whereabouts and activities

The sooner an adolescent substance abuse problem is recognized and acknowledged, the sooner the young person in question can get help.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment

An adolescent who starts using drugs is rarely motivated to stop unless something bad happens. To help your adolescent avoid hitting "rock bottom," intervene quickly. It's important for family and friends to encourage treatment early on, to prevent the adolescent's substance abuse problem from intensifying, causing additional damage, and extending into adulthood.

There are a variety of treatment programs for adolescent substance abuse, and it's important to find one that meets the individual's needs.

An effective treatment program for adolescent substance abuse should being with detoxification, an extended period of abstinence from the drug that allows the body to purge itself.

Treatment programs can be either residential or outpatient. Again the one you choose should be the one that best meets the needs of the adolescent in question.

Aftercare is also an important part of treatment. A good aftercare program will help an adolescent reintegrate into "normal" life, and can help the adolescent transfer the skills that were developed during outpatient or residential recovery.

To learn more about treatment programs for adolescent substance abuse -- and for help finding the treatment program that is right for you or your loved one -- call 888.287.6175.