Teens and Drug Addiction

From LoveToKnow Teens

Teens and drug addiction is a difficult subject for parents and teens alike. Everyone knows the temptation is out there. No matter how small of a town you live in, your teen probably knows someone who can get drugs. Parents remember what it was like to be young, feeling invincible and wanting to experiment with things. But there's a fine line between teenage curiosity and real drug problems.

Teens and Drug Addiction

Teens and Drug Addiction Statistics

While its difficult to determine exactly how many teens are addicted to drugs, it is a real danger for every teen that experiments with drugs, including alcohol. A federal report shows the following statistics for drug use, reported by seniors in 2004, when asked if they had used a particular drug in the last year:

  • Alcohol, 70.6 percent
  • Marijuana, 34.3 percent
  • Stimulants, 10 percent
  • Other opiates, 9.5 percent
  • Tranquilizers, 7.3 percent
  • Sedatives, 6.5 percent
  • Hallucinogens, 6.2 percent
  • Cocaine, 5.3 percent
  • Inhalants, 4.2 percent
  • Steroids, 2.5 percent
  • Heroin, 0.9 percent

Those surveyed who said they had used drugs in the past month were much lower, suggesting that the rate of teens and drug addiction in America is actually a much smaller percentage.

Still, any teen that is doing drugs or using alcohol has the potential for addiction, just like any adult does. And just because teens are young is no protection; the average drug user starts smoking marijuana at age 14, and those who abuse alcohol may begin as early as age 12.

Signs of Teen Drug Addiction

It is important for both teens and adults to know about the signs of teens and drug addiction so they can watch out for them in people they know. There is a whole range of physical, emotional, social, home and family issues that can signal a drug problem.

Here are some of the potential signs of a teen with a drug problem:

  • Long-lasting fatigue
  • Regular health complaints
  • Red eyes
  • Sudden personality or mood changes
  • Irritability
  • Irresponsible behavior
  • Lack of interest in activities
  • Starting arguments with family
  • Breaking rules
  • Secretiveness and withdrawing from family
  • Decreased interest in school
  • Lots of absences or discipline problems
  • Drop in grades
  • New friends who make poor decisions or aren't interested in school
  • Trouble with the law
  • Change in clothing or music preferences

A lot of these "symptoms" sound like a teenager just being a teenager, and many are also signs of depression, so it is important to note that just because your teen (or a friend) is exhibiting some of these changes, it does not automatically mean they are on drugs.

Treatment

The most important thing parents and friends can do is try to keep the lines of communication open and encourage teens to talk about anything that he is she is experiencing. It's important not to storm into their room and start going through their clothes (at least while they're in the room) or dragging them off to the doctor for a blood test on suspicion that they are using drugs.

If you approach the situation with calmness and love first, odds are your teen will be a much more willing participant in treatment. Boot Camps, military schools and boarding school are all options for discipline problems, but drug treatment programs that are close to home are a better first step.

Treatment options vary widely, and individualized plans are necessary for success. Usually medical intervention is combined with psychological counseling, group therapy and other treatments.

Resources on Teens and Drug Addiction

There are many great resources on the Internet that can give you more information about teens and drug addiction, warning signs and treatment options.


 


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