Substance abuse among teens has become a considerable concern for parents and drug enforcement agencies worldwide. There are many teenagers in rehabilitation centers getting treatment to overcome problems related to addiction. Parents need to stay aware of the situation and understand how drugs can affect their teenage children.
Most teenagers try tobacco, alcohol, meth, and other substances to experiment with their effects or succumb to peer pressure. Some of the teens stop after trying it, but others fail to control their cravings. They do not realize the damage it does to their physical and mental well-being in the long run. Even casual drug use can cause serious health issues like brain damage, stroke, memory loss, and seizures. Illegal drugs are now made in homes that contain dangerous chemicals and bacteria. These contaminated substances merely worsen the endemic. Easy access to such drugs is also one of the significant reasons for constantly increasing drug addiction among teens. Here is a guide that will highlight different aspects of teen addiction.
Treatment options
To address your child’s drug addiction, you need to consider different treatment options. According to medical experts, parents should look for a residential program option for their teen if the habit is extreme. It requires teens to be admitted to the residential facility to undergo the diagnosis and get treatment. It allows medical experts to create a custom care plan according to their condition by keeping a proper eye on them 24/7. The residential treatment is also known as the inpatient recovery program. The minimum duration of stay at treatment centers is around 30 days. But the time can vary, depending on the condition of the patient.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also one of the treatment options for patients suffering from drug addiction. This treatment aims to find out the root cause of the addictive habits among teens. This therapy encourages teens to establish self-regulation to analyze what thoughts provoke them to take drugs. It helps patients to take control of their behavior and urges.
Another treatment option is family-based therapy. This treatment focuses on the role of the patient’s family in preventing addiction. Regular sessions help address issues between family members and the child, such as communication gaps, domestic abuse, etc. These factors are among the most common reasons why teens indulge in such activities. Once children become reluctant to share their feelings with their parents, they experiment with drugs to find mental peace. Family-based therapy is an effective treatment that plays a crucial role in the improvement of the patient. It allows patients and family members to spend more time together that impacts the recovery process positively.
Risk factors leading to drug abuse
There are some environmental and biological factors involved that increase the risks of drug abuse among teens. A family history of drug abuse is one of the biggest reasons for teen addiction. Suppose a child has grown up seeing their parents consuming alcohol regularly. In that case, they are likely to catch on to the habit.
Trauma is another factor that can increase the risk of substance abuse. Teens experiencing violence, physical abuse, or witnessing death in early childhood can fall into drug addiction later. Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders also increase the risk of substance abuse. Getting the proper treatment for these conditions helps to mitigate risk. It is also essential for teens to surround themselves with people who have healthy habits. Keeping lousy company is one of the root causes of teenage drug addiction. Children also have to deal with peer pressure and a culture that glamorizes drugs. Therefore, unhappy teens can quickly turn to drugs in an attempt to feel good. Unfortunately, due to a lack of knowledge, many teens perceive drug abuse as a “cool” activity that makes them look confident.
Symptoms of drug abuse
Parents should beware of any signs that indicate changes in the behavior of their children. It includes poor academic results, continuous complaints from school, missing extracurricular activities, and violent outbursts. As a parent, you should start keeping an eye on your children’s habits if you observe any of these things. Check your child’s room regularly for any suspicious substance, such as chemical-soaked papers, ash, fumes, and carefully monitor their health. For example, if you constantly notice red eyes and other health issues, take action immediately. Smoking marijuana causes red eyes, so you should be concerned if you continuously observe this in your kid. Similarly, excessive drinking impairs the body’s ability to maintain balance. Be wary of such signs and get help ASAP.
Conclusion
A huge responsibility lies on parents and teachers to keep teens away from drugs and harmful substances. Governments should also take suitable measures to introduce and implement policies in educational institutions to guide the youth about the harmful effects of drugs. If your child is suffering from drug addiction, then firstly, you need to seek medical assistance. It will help you decide what treatment option you should consider according to your child’s condition and type of substance. It is also vital to reduce the risk factors of drug abuse among teens, which are also the root cause. Make your children understand that there is no high better than life. Tell them that nothing can give more happiness and fulfillment than living a healthy life with your family and friends.
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