Teen Drug Addiction
Teen Drug Addiction
Teen drug addiction may begin as some simple fun, where a teen may try an illicit substance while bending to peer pressure. Eventually, however, the abuse of these substances could have very real negative and detrimental effects that are ongoing and long-lasting. Even if and when a teen is ready for rehabilitation and detoxification, the withdrawal symptoms may be cruel and difficult to manage, causing a cycle of grief and health concerns for the family and the teen over sometimes very long periods of time.
Common Teen Addictive Drugs
Teens may become addicted to a range of substances such as marijuana, alcohol, heroin, cocaine as well as petroleum products. Prescription drug abuse is most alarming particularly due to the fact that these products can be procured legally and easily. For example, teens may resort to painkillers, such as morphine, codeine, benzodiazepines derivatives, alprazolam & diazepam, as well as sleep-inducing drugs, such as barbiturates and its derivatives, phenobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, etc.
Symptoms of Teen Drug Abuse
Symptoms of drug abuse in teenagers are visible before the cross the point of ‘no return’ and cyclic addiction. Some of these symptoms include unpredictable mood swings, bloodshot eyes, inconsistent behavior, hostility, and irritation. Additionally, such teens may find it difficult to follow rules, see a decline in school performance, exhibit changes in friendships/relationships, experience difficulty sleeping and require money more regularly or even resort to stealing money in order to fund their drug addiction.
Causes of Teen Drug Abuse
Teen drug abuse habit is often a complex trend that can only be ascertained keeping in mind certain issues. Addiction in teens could arise as a result of genetics, but it can also be attributed to the age and social environment of the teenager making him / her prone to these behavioral patterns.
Genetic and biological factors: Experts believe that drug abuse and addiction could be a genetic issue combined with external factors contributing to 50% of teen vulnerabilities. Drug addiction has multi-factorial causes where factors, such as; age, gender, ethnicity, and pre-existence of other mental disorders all play a part.
Social environment: Drug addiction could be caused by certain socioeconomic status, such as, the life that teens lead, placement in their family, sibling rivalry, family pressures, and any physical and/or sexual abuse trauma during their childhood and/or adolescent years.
Overall development: In addition to genetic and environmental factors that influence a teenager, their overall development may be affected by their own predisposed character and stamina, coupled with myriads of life experiences in their critical growing years. All of these factors leave an impression on a teenager and may strengthen or weaken them. In many cases, many of these factors challenge the vulnerability and impressionability of the teenager leading to drug abuse and ultimate addiction.
Treatment of Teen Drug Abuse
Prevention first with Information and Education
Drug abuse is preventable when teens are educated and informed of the risks and effects. Schools, communities, parents, and non-profit organizations play a vital role in educating children against drug abuse and addiction. However, despite the education and information available, many teens will fall prey to this addiction. Usually, long-lasting healing can only occur through expert rehabilitation programs and therapeutic programming.
Treatment at Hillcrest
Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center (Hillcrest) is a licensed, residential mental health facility in the tropical foothills of Agoura Hills, specializing in the treatment of teen drug addiction, and guided by expert mental healthcare professionals and therapists who are committed to the long-lasting and sustained healing of each client, both during and post-treatment. At Hillcrest, teen residential treatment is dynamic, multi-layered, varied and eclectic. In addition to individualized therapeutic programs designed specifically to suit each client’s condition and temperament, a range of extracurricular activities and hobbies are also offered to ensure healthy and fun outlets for each client depending on their skills and talents.
Hillcrest’s individualized approach allows for personal attention and care of the highest of standards for each client. By recognizing the unique nature and experience of each client, and valuing the distinct abilities and character traits that your loved ones bring to the Hillcrest program, positive healing attributes are maximized and strengthened, allowing each client to flourish while at Hillcrest, and moreover, to learn to nurture those positive characteristics to achieve independence and constructive impactful change upon re-entry and re-integration into the outside world.
