Teen Drug Addiction

Teen drug addiction in the United States is a serious concern. Teen drug addiction can lead to a range of serious consequences. Problems such as psychiatric disorders, depression, anxiety, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts and other psychosocial dysfunctions are frequently linked to teen drug addiction.

Adolescence is a time of transition when the body is undergoing many significant changes, such as hormonal alterations and brain development.  Exposing the brain to drugs and alcohol during this period may interrupt key processes of brain development, possibly leading to mild cognitive impairment as well as to a further escalation of teen drug addiction.

Most teens don't start using drugs expecting to develop a drug addiction. While most teens probably see their drug use as a casual way to have fun, there are negative effects that result from use and abuse of alcohol or other drugs. The biggest consequence to casual drug use can be that it develops into teen drug addiction.  Very few addicts recognize when they have crossed the line from casual use to addiction.

Teen drug addiction has been strongly linked to delinquency. Arrest, adjudication, and intervention by the juvenile justice system are often eventual consequences of teen drug addiction.

Additionally, teen drug addiction causes sudden and extreme changes in personality, physical appearance, social activity, or school performance. Personality changes may include becoming disrespectful and verbally or physically abusive, extreme mood swings, paranoia, confusion, anger, depression, and secretive behavior. Teens who use drugs may lie about what they are doing and where they are going. They may also steal, claim to lose possessions they once valued, have a lot of money, ask for money, and withdraw from family and family activities. With regard to physical effects, teens using drugs may exhibit a lack of hygiene and grooming, weight loss or gain, hyperactivity or lethargy, and insomnia or excessive sleeping. These teens may also drop old friends and activities, skip school, lose interest in school, receive low grades, sleep in class, lose concentration, and have trouble with memory.

In addition to personal adversities, teen drug addiction may result in family crises and jeopardize many aspects of family life, often resulting in family dysfunction. Both siblings and parents are profoundly affected by teen drug addiction. Substance abuse can drain a family's financial and emotional resources.

There is no single cause of teen drug addiction. Teen drug addiction develops over time and does not start as full-blown abuse or addiction. There are different pathways or routes to the development of a teen's drug problems. Some of the factors that may place teens at risk for developing drug a drug addiction include:

• Lack of parental supervision and monitoring
• Lack of communication and interaction between parents and kids
• Poorly defined and poorly communicated rules and expectations surrounding drug use
• Inconsistent and excessively severe discipline
• Family conflict
• Favorable parental attitudes toward adolescent alcohol and drug use
• Parental alcoholism or drug use

Adolescence is also a time when young people start to associate more with friends and associates beyond their childhood contacts.  They feel an increased pressure to ‘fit in’ or ‘go along with the crowd’ in order to be accepted socially. These new circumstances can be confusing and difficult for teens to understand and deal with.  Often a teenager’s ability to make correct or safe decisions is at a stage of immaturity.

If you suspect that your teen or someone you care about has a drug problem, talk to them about it and ensure that they get help. The sooner you can recognize that your teen is abusing drugs or alcohol, the sooner they will be on the road to recovery. If you notice changes in behavior, changes in friends, lying about after school or weekend activities, changes in mood, or depression, your teen might have a problem with drug addiction. Teen drug addiction treatment programs can help your child build a strong foundation for a successful life without the use of drugs.

Name:
Age:
City:
State:
Phone:
Email:
Seeking Help For:
Gender:
Describe the situation: