5 Things You Should Know About Teen Addiction
Teen drug addiction or alcoholism has the power to destroy lives -not only of the young person in question, but his or her family as well. If you’re a parent, and have a teen or pre-teen in the house, here are five essential things you need to know if you’re going to raise a happy, drug and alcohol-free child.
Addicts Start Early
Studies reveal that 90 percent of adults with a substance abuse or addiction problem started using before they were 18 years old (with half starting before the age of 15). What does that mean to you as a parent? That it is exceptionally important to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol at an early age. Far too many parents wait until the late teen years to sit down with their child and explain the potential dangers of substance abuse.
Addiction is Only Part of the Problem
Most teens struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction also have a co-occurring psychological disorder such as depression, anxiety, behavior problems or suicidal thoughts. Addressing these “dual diagnosis” issues is often the key to successful teen addiction treatment.
It’s Hard to Stop Using without Treatment
Most teens who use drugs or alcohol are able to stop on their own when they feel it is impacting their lives in a negative way. This, however, is NOT the case for those adolescents who have an addiction. For them, drug and alcohol dependence does not stop until they have gone through a treatment program -often, more than once.
What Happens After Teen Rehab is Important
While teen drug and alcohol rehab programs help a young person get clean (and learn how to stay that way) it is the aftercare programs that they engage in that can really make a long-lasting impact on their lives. 12-step groups, follow up counseling and relapse prevention all play a key role in the ongoing sobriety of the individual.
Teen Addiction is About More than Just Peer Pressure
Once upon a time, people thought that the only teens who used drugs were the ones who gave into peer pressure. And while an adolescent’s peer group still plays a role in whether or not they will experiment with drugs and alcohol, we now know that a number of other factors are involved as well, including: academic pressure, self-image issues, coping with physical or sexual abuse and other problems in the home environment.
If you suspect that your teen is abusing drugs or alcohol, contact a professional rehab center immediately. And if you’re the parent of a pre-teen who is moving quickly towards adolescence, remember, it is never too early to talk to your child about the dangers of substance abuse.
