Category: Substance Abuse

While teen substance abuse has categorically decreased over time, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, it still remains an issue affecting millions of young adults. Various popular party drugs are currently available that contribute to this problem.

As many as 17 percent of eighth graders and over 46 percent of 12th graders admitted to using alcohol in the last year. For marijuana, the numbers were at 7 percent among eighth graders and over 30 percent among 12th graders. Even among illicit (hard) drugs, one of the categories that dropped the hardest, drug use remained at nearly 5 percent for eighth graders and over 7 percent for 12th graders. That is about one in twenty and one in fourteen students, respectively.

Part of the reason teens don’t use drugs as much as they used to is that they simply don’t party as much as they used to. Teens are far less keen on drugs and unprotected sex than previous generations, and are even dropping vaping at a fast pace. But when today’s kids party, they still party just as hard as teens at any other point in history. And yes, that includes popular party drugs.

What Are Party Drugs?

Some of the popular party drugs teens use nowadays largely resemble the same stuff available a generation or two ago. Although the names change, and some of the production trends and supply chains have altered, teens are still into booze, weed, dope, and LSD, among others.

Mainstays from previous generations are still around, like MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, and lean (cough syrup mixed with alcohol or soda). Newer drugs on the market include various strains of synthetic cannabinoids and other designer drugs, made to evade the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) while catering to a variety of clientele.

1. Ecstasy

Ecstasy is usually MDMA, or at least a mixture of drugs, including pure MDMA. It is a type of synthetic stimulant that grew in popularity in the rave and dance party scene and can be found pretty much anywhere. Most forms of ecstasy are sold in tabs or pill form and are sometimes also called Molly, Mandy, or X.

As a stimulant, ecstasy creates a feeling of euphoria and provides a boost of energy. But overuse can strain the heart and kidneys. It’s an addictive drug, and side effects range from painful teeth grinding to paranoia and blurry vision.

2. Ketamine

Ketamine is an alternative pain killer and anesthetic, usually used for sedation. It is considered an analgesic and an anesthetic drug but has also been researched for the treatment of depression. Since it began being used in surgery, ketamine also grew popular as a recreational drug, all the way back in the days of the Vietnam War. It is sometimes called Special K and is sold in powder or liquid form. When taken, it induces a dissociative, hallucinogenic effect, but it can be addictive, unlike most hallucinogens.

3. Cough Syrup

A lot of cough syrup-related drugs use prescription-strength purple-tinted codeine and promethazine cough syrup, and mix it with a soda like Sprite, and candies. The result is a sweet purple soda called “lean,” laced with prescription-grade painkillers, creating a euphoric effect. As a synthetic opioid, codeine is also addictive.

4. Synthetic Marijuana

While marijuana is illegal and not suitable for teen use either, synthetic marijuana is significantly more dangerous.

These are synthetic cannabinoids created in a lab and either sprayed on cellulose or sold in liquid form as an “alternative” kind of CBD. These unregulated cannabinoids are often highly potent, far more than regular marijuana, and can lead to hospitalization or worse. Depending on where and how the drug was developed, low amounts are all it takes to cause poisoning.

5. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

Synthesized from lysergic acid, a range of alkaloids produced by the ergot fungus (which grows on ryes and grasses), LSD is a powerful hallucinogen that has been the subject of research, medical debate, and plenty of legislation as far back as the 1960s.

While it isn’t addictive, because of its powerful hallucinogenic effects, LSD remains a controlled substance. Even low use can easily lead to injury due to its hallucinogenic properties. It’s also called acid.

6. PCP (Phenylcyclohexyl Piperidine)

Also known as angel dust, PCP is another powerful hallucinogen usually mixed with tobacco or marijuana for smoking. It can cause seizures and addiction and has been linked to an increased risk of suicide.

7. Inhalants

Inhalants are a wide class of drugs that include various solvents and aerosols, even in household items. A lot of inhalant use isn’t illegal, but it is dangerous, and medically unadvised. Inhalant use can cause a high in teens, but can quickly wreak havoc on the brain, heart, and lungs. Common inhalants include:

• Butane
• Toluene (permanent markers, contact cement, certain glues)
• Amyl nitrite
• Nitrous oxide
• Acetone
• Gasoline
• And others.

8. Prescription Stimulants

The most common prescription stimulants are Ritalin and Adderall (Adderall is also an amphetamine), both of which are provided to teens diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).

In non-ADHD individuals, prescription stimulants can lead to addiction, and are sometimes sold as “smart drugs” as a study aid or performance enhancer. While these claims are baseless – these drugs don’t enhance memory or improve cognition before a test – they aren’t always just served at parties.

9. Cocaine

While cocaine is inordinately expensive these days, it can still be sold at upper-class parties, or cut with common household powders, from talc to powdered sugar. Cocaine is an alkaloid drug derived from the coca leaf and used for its euphoric, stimulant effects. However, it can cause heart and respiratory damage and quickly lead to addiction.

10. Alcohol

Yes, alcohol is a party drug – and by far the most common and thus most dangerous party drug of them all. While binge drinking numbers have dropped among individuals aged 12 to 22, they’re still quite high. In 2019, 33 percent of full-time college students reported binge drinking in the last month. The risk of a car accident from drunk driving is also still higher among younger drinkers than older ones.

What If My Teen Is Using Drugs?

It goes without saying that drug use is dangerous, even in one-off or experimental circumstances. Teens, however, are especially vulnerable to the negative aspects of drug use, including addictiveness. The teen brain is more likely to get addicted than the adult brain, as research shows – the earlier a person begins using drugs, the more likely they are to struggle with long-term drug use in adulthood.

Street Drugs

Some drugs are more dangerous than others. Unsurprisingly, street drugs are often near the top of the list because they are completely unregulated. Their contents cannot be accurately controlled, and neither can their method of production. Just because you find a pill labeled or sold as pure MDMA does not mean that is what you are getting.

Date Rape Drugs

There are also drugs that teens are ingesting without having any knowledge or control over them. “Date rape” drugs are unfortunately common, especially at the college level, and are used to incapacitate a person and lead to sexual assault. Adolescents and young adults are four times as likely to experience date rape than any other age group.

Preventing date rape is difficult because the drugs can be mixed into a teen’s drink at any time. It is a good idea to make sure your teen knows never to let their drink out of sight if they attend a party, or to get a new one the moment they’ve left their old drink unattended.

Some products to casually recognize these drugs in drinks, such as date-rape detection nail polish and other similar products, may also be very useful, although it is important to review how many different types of drugs these products can detect.

The Dangers of Legal Drugs

Outside of popular party drugs, even “legal” drugs are incredibly dangerous. Alcohol use among teens is still too high, with binge drinking and alcohol-related car accidents being some of the most common killers among young people. Cigarettes and nicotine are just as abundant and ubiquitous as alcohol, and even more addictive while promoting the development of lung and heart cancer. Prescription drugs, whether stimulants, painkillers, or depressants like benzodiazepine, can quickly lead to addiction and overdose.

Get Help for Teen Substance Use

If your teen shows signs of drug use, has admitted to frequently using drugs, or has been caught with drugs on multiple occasions, it’s important to act as soon as possible. Talk to your teen about quitting. Talk to them about professional help. Be with them every step of the way towards treatment. They will need the support in the coming months and years.

For more information about teen drug use or popular party drugs, contact us today.

At Visions Treatment Centers, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a range of teen mental health issues and dual diagnoses using specialized modalities and care through our teen residential programs and more.

We’ve all grown up learning that drugs are bad. Whether bluntly or in detail, there’s a point in any person’s life when they hear about the things drugs can do, and how they affect the brain, the body, and the mind. Yet despite the horror stories, plenty of people still do drugs. Now we dissect how do drugs affect the brain of a teenager. 

Adolescents use drugs, ranging from a few drinks to illegal substances like cocaine, and heavily regulated and addictive prescription drugs like fentanyl. Understanding how drugs affect the brain, especially in kids, can help us understand why people continue to use them despite the long-term consequences, both physical and legal.

How Do Drugs Affect the Brain of a Teenager?

We know that age is a risk factor for addiction – in particular, the age when you first start using drugs. The earlier a person has their first illegal drug experience, the higher their likelihood of struggling with addiction later in adulthood. Some of this can be traced back to environmental reasons. If you are around a lot of drug users in the family or the neighborhood as a child, you will have more opportunities to use drugs as you enter your teen years and adulthood. Certain socioeconomic conditions and stressful households are more likely to create addicted teens as well. Other risk factors that play a role include family history, and mental health.

But if you take two people from the same household, and introduce drugs earlier to one than the other, that person has a higher chance of getting addicted in the long-term. Conversely, adults who have their first drug experience in their late 20s and onwards are much less likely to continue using drugs and developing an addiction. A lot of this has to do with the way drug use imprints on the developing brain of a teen or young adult, all the way to the age of 25, give or take a year.

We know that neurology plays a significant role in the way drugs work – and that there are distinct biological differences between individuals. Younger people are more likely to try drugs when exposed to them, and more likely to keep using them following early exposure. Aside from having a greater impact on teens than adults, early drug use can also play a role in negatively affecting the development of the brain. This means affecting teen cognition (thinking), as well as problem solving, information processing, and long-term learning skills.

Teenage Risk-Taking and Drugs

While individual factors cannot be overlooked, generalized risk factors help us better understand what to look out for when treating an addiction, and when recognizing one in the first place. We understand that internal risk factors play a significant role in the development of substance use disorder, and that the factor of age may tie into the immaturity of the teenage brain. The correlation between brain maturity and risk taking ties into how drugs can affect the brain of a teenager. 

The portion of the brain that is incomplete in teens is called the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is the brain’s decision-making center, which means it is also a crucial element for risk assessment and long-term planning. While incomplete, this doesn’t mean teens are incapable of thinking about the future or making good decisions. It just means that their brain hasn’t matured to its final stage. Teens are inherently less likely to judge risks accurately, and more likely to take them – for no good reason at all. This is why communication with adolescents is vital.

Their reward systems, on the other hand, are fully functional. This means that the addictive effects of drug use can power through the brain at full steam while the parts of the brain responsible for risk assessment and longer-term decision making can’t keep up. Does this mean teens are always in the wrong? Absolutely not. Does it absolve them of the consequences of their actions? Again, no. An immature brain is not a get-out-of-jail-free card, but it is meant to contextualize the increased impact of drug use on teenagers in particular, and why early use conflates so often with long-term drug habits.

Drug Dependence, Tolerance, and Physical Addiction in Teens

The brain is a very complex organ, and we aren’t yet at a point where we can confidently say that we understand every aspect of it, let alone the different ways in which it can potentially malfunction. The mechanism of action behind multiple different psychiatric conditions and even certain drugs is not completely understood. But what we do know helps us make better decisions regarding the treatment and care of people with different neurological conditions, including substance use disorder.

Drug use can temporarily impact and change the way the brain works, desensitizing it to the natural reward system and creating a dangerous feedback loop based on growing drug tolerance, higher dosages, dependence symptoms, and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction can be understood either:

• Mentally or physically, as a battle between the constant craving and urge to drink or use.
• Neurological compulsion triggered by changes in the brain that occur as a result of long-term drug use.

All of this occurs in the adult brain just as it does in the teen brain, but teenagers may be more susceptible to both the short-term effects of drugs, as well as their addictive nature.

Other Health Effects of Drug Use in Teenagers

The brain is far from the only organ affected by teenage drug use. The heart, lungs, liver, kidney, and bones are just a few of the organs and systems of the body that suffer under the recurring use of addictive substances. All of them tend to leave a lasting impact on the body in some way, and because teens are prone to getting addicted faster than their adult counterparts, they may suffer physical symptoms as a result of their drug use at a quicker rate than someone discovering drugs later in life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with uncontrolled drug use, it’s important to get professional help as soon as possible. Substance use disorder can become debilitating and disabling and leave lasting scars. Early detection and treatment can not only save a life, but greatly improve quality of life in the long-term.

Teenage substance use is an unfortunately common problem. But teen substance abuse disorder is an entirely different beast. Teens who struggle with addiction at a young age are more likely to relapse and experience long-term cravings and may have a harder time distancing themselves from drug use as they get older. Addictive substances affect the teenage brain disproportionately, and teens are more likely to develop a lasting addiction if their first-time experience was at a young age, versus adults who first experienced addictive drugs in their late twenties and onwards. But it isn’t all bleak.

Treatment and therapy can help teens arm themselves with the tools necessary to break and overcome addiction. Substance use can be overcome through long-term support, effective coping mechanisms, recurring individual, and group therapy sessions, and by addressing adjacent or concurrent mental health issues, indefinitely. Helping kids develop a greater sense of awareness for their own mental and physical wellbeing and foster important self-care habits can protect them from relapses and stressful situations and prepare them for the oncoming challenges of adulthood. It’s crucial to identify potential a substance abuse disorder in teens early and get them the help they need.

How Common Is Substance Abuse Disorder in Teens?

According to recent data published by the CDC, at least about 15 percent of high school teens have self-reported using an illicit drug at least once (drugs like cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy, or illegal hallucinogens), and a surprising 14 percent have admitted to misusing prescription opioids. Aside from “hard” drugs, over two-thirds of teens have tried alcohol by the 12th grade, and about half of the teens in grades 9 through 12 have reported trying marijuana. Although illegal, reports find that people aged 12 to 20 account for one-tenth of all alcohol consumption in the US. While trying drugs doesn’t translate directly into drug abuse, there is an obvious correlation.

Because it is difficult to pinpoint the transition between harmful substance use and a substance use disorder, studies currently place the prevalence of addiction in the general population between 15 and 61 percent, a significant portion of which includes teens. Co-occurring mental health issues sharply increase the risk of a substance use problem. An estimated 30 to 45 percent of teenagers with a mental health disorder have a co-occurring substance use disorder, and about 65 percent of adolescents with a history of substance abuse also struggle with a co-occurring mental health disorder. While we do know that illicit drug use has mostly gone down over time, some drugs have picked up speed in recent years, and the long-term effects of the pandemic on adolescent drug use are yet to be fully understood. Teen addiction is a potentially growing issue, and one we must address decisively.

Why Substance Use Affects Teens Differently

An apt way to describe the adolescent brain would be as a car with a fully functioning gas pedal (the brain’s reward systems) and an incomplete braking system (the prefrontal cortex, especially risk assessment and decision making). Every parent knows that teenagers are only all too keen to jump headfirst into situations without proper thinking and seem almost incapable of working out the long-term consequences of any potential action before they take it. While a lot of that ties into lack of basic life experience – and the importance of good life lessons – part of it is also neurobiology.

Teenagers don’t think ahead very well because they can’t do it as naturally as the average adult. That doesn’t mean all adults are automatically wiser and more careful than any given teen. But it does mean that, physically, teens are more likely to pursue short-term reward and forget about the ensuing long-term problems that might occur as a result of that decision. It also means that the teenage brain is still in development, and that the parts that are in development are crucial for risk assessment, executive functioning and decision making – all of which fundamentally represent what it means to be a self-sufficient human being.

Drug use can significantly impede and affect the brain’s development, cause delays, and can negatively impact a teen’s cognitive abilities in the long-term – even more so than in an adult, provided all other circumstances are the same. While illicit drug use is not good under any circumstances, it is especially bad for adolescents and young adults. Preventing early drug use can protect your teen from the long-term consequences of addiction, and the effects that addictive drugs can have on the brain – let alone the social impact of early drug use and addiction on a teen, from an increased chance of unprotected sex, unwanted pregnancies, and STDs, to a dramatic dip in academic performance, legal troubles, and long-term career consequences.

Risk Factors for Substance Abuse Disorder Among Teens

Substance use issues in teens are often associated with crucial protective and risk factors. These could also be seen as the most common “causes” of addiction.

Risk Factors

• Genetics
• Poor parental relationship
• Authoritarian parenting
• Uninvolved parenting
• Socioeconomic background
• Bullying
• Mental health disorders

Protective Factors

• Positive parental relationship
• Strong attachment to community
• Parental monitoring
• Authoritative parenting
• Community interventions

It’s impossible to weigh the relevance of any given factor because they depend on an individual’s case. In some cases, one factor may play a disproportionate role over another. The prevalence of certain risk factors also plays an important role in treatment. A co-occurring mental health issue changes a teen’s substance use into a dual diagnosis, meaning their case would be treated with special consideration given to both their addiction and their disorder. Treating these conditions separately would not be effective – an individualized plan that treats both concurrently is needed.

Getting Help for Teen Substance Abuse Disorder

If you recognize any signs of substance use in your teen – from paraphernalia to a dismissive or defensive attitude about drug use, erratic behavior, frequent disappearances, gaps in memory, signs of drinking or smoking, and symptoms of long-term drug use – it’s important to talk to them about getting help together. Some teens might not realize their habit has become uncontrollable until it’s too late, and others might hide their drug use due to fear of getting reprimanded, thrown out of school, or vilified by family. Make it clear to your teen that you’re in their corner, and that you want them to beat their addiction and live a life they can truly enjoy on their own terms. If you can’t get through to your loved one, consider approaching a clinic or treatment specialist about intervention.

If you notice a sudden change in your teen’s behavior or attitude, you may be wondering how to tell if your child is using drugs. Teen drug use is a divisive yet prevalent issue. While overall illegal drug use is at its lowest in two decades, that doesn’t mean it isn’t still widespread. Research indicates that nearly two-thirds of college students regularly use alcohol, and over a quarter regularly use marijuana, while as many as half of all teens have tried weed at least once, and nearly all have tried drinking. In this article, we’re exploring a common question we hear from parents – how to tell if your child is using drugs?

How to Tell if Your Child Is Using Drugs

We’ve all been teens, and we know what comes with that age. Things are confusing, exciting, difficult, and overwhelming. Teens experiment, think little of the long-term consequences of their decision and try to push the envelope. They’re discovering themselves and the world around them. And it’s often up to the adults around them to try and keep them safe as they’re making their way towards adulthood. But what does that mean, exactly? It means keeping an eye out for the signs – and acting on them in a timely manner. The earlier a teen’s substance use issues are discovered, the faster they can be addressed, and the less severe the long-term consequences. Here’s how to tell if your child is using drugs.

Look Out for Paranoia and Confusion

Teen mood swings and behavioral changes are normal. But there are certain behaviors and patterns that are more suspicious than others. Look out for frequent bouts of confusion, sudden episodes of anxiety, and paranoid behavior. Even if your teen isn’t having a drug problem, the onset of anxiety symptoms still warrants seeing a professional together. Anxiety and depressive disorders often begin around adolescence.

Look for Lapses in Memory and Cognitive Signs

Alcohol, stimulant drugs, and depressant drugs alike all affect the brain in different ways, but the one thing they have in common is a cognitive decline and memory issues. Frequent binge drinking, illegal use of stimulants and “study drugs”, as well as frequent recreational use of anxiety medication or CBD can impact memory retention, cause holes and lapses in memory, and affect a teen’s ability to solve problems, retain information, and communicate effectively. These can be short-term issues, but the longer an addiction lasts, the longer these effects can linger in the brain.

Drug Paraphernalia

The most obvious sign of drug use is drug paraphernalia – and some types of paraphernalia are more obvious than others. Keep an eye out for:

• Rolling papers, filters, e-cigarettes, and bongs.
• Spoons, needles, tourniquets, and pipes.
• Tubes, razor blades, and small mirrors.
• Aerosol cans, rags that faintly smell like solvents, and chemical bottles.

Alongside commonly used drugs like alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana, teens also use:

• MDMA or Ecstasy
• ADHD medication
• Anxiety medication
• Painkillers
• Solvents and inhalants
• Cocaine and other designer stimulants
• Methamphetamine
• Heroin

Becoming Defensive and Irritable

Drugs can help soothe anxieties, trigger euphoric feelings, and transport people into a completely different state of mind. But these pleasant experiences are undercut by immediate short-term and lasting long-term consequences, ranging from brain damage to organ health issues, psychological and physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, increases in anxiety and depression, physical reactions, and much more.

Some of these are more obvious than others – but one of the first signs of recurring drug use and growing addiction is a spike in irritability and defensiveness. If your teen is becoming angrier and angrier, and less and less communicative, then something might be wrong. Talk to them, remain calm, express your love, and try to get to the bottom of what they’re feeling. Be sure that they understand that you’re only interested in what’s best for them, now and in the long term.

It can be really difficult to get a teen to admit that they’re using drugs, let alone that they’re addicted. Teens know that it’s illegal and that they shouldn’t be doing it. Part of the reason it’s so frustrating for them is that they’ve lost control, and they’re lashing out in anger at both others and themselves. Be patient, and expect to talk to your teen multiple times before you get to figure out what’s going on.

Why Teen Drug Use Is a Massive Issue

On a purely medical level, the adolescent brain is far more susceptible to the long-lasting impact of addictive drugs, particularly when it comes to creating dependence. Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to become addicted to them later in life versus people who first used drugs in their early to mid-twenties, and they’re far more prone to poor decision making and excessive risk-taking, from unsafe sex to drunk driving and reckless endangerment of themselves and others.

This is partly because the teen brain is not yet wired to take long-term consequences into account. Risk-averse behavior is rare in teens, and the adolescent brain hasn’t fully matured to think things through to the same capacity as the adult brain. That does not mean that teens are incapable of realizing their consequences, or even understanding the risks involved with certain decisions – it just means they’re less likely to act on this information, are more likely to forget about it, and much less likely to care.

Preventing Drug Use in Teens

Parents tend to overestimate the impact of peer pressure and forget the invaluable influence they wield themselves. Even as your teens seem to pull away from you and feel increasingly distant, it’s important to realize that teens are still much more likely to model their parents’ behavior when with their peers and that their parents have a strong influence on who they choose to be friends with, as well. This depends mostly on a good parent-child relationship. This is perhaps the most powerful protective factor against teen substance use issues. Other important protective factors include:

• A strong attachment to the neighborhood (involvement in youth groups, local firefighting, outreach programs, volunteering organizations).
• Research-based prevention programs.
• An authoritative (not authoritarian!) parenting approach.
• Local policies affecting structural racism, economic opportunity, and police bias.

Of course, it’s also important to be realistic. Nearly half of all teens try an illegal drug, and almost all teens get a taste of alcohol before they’re legally allowed to drink. That doesn’t mean the majority of teenagers struggle with lifelong drug addiction and poor outcomes. These are just a few weighty risk factors among a list of important risk factors that increase the risk of a teen becoming addicted but never guarantee it. Understand what these risk factors represent, and how certain protective factors can work against them.

If your teen is addicted to drugs, know that recovery is a long-term process. There are many inpatient and outpatient clinics that specialize in treating dual diagnosis disorders in teens. These clinics can help equip both you and your teen with the tools needed to combat addiction in the long term, survive and overcome relapse, and develop a series of coping mechanisms to deal with daily stressors, and control cravings and impulses.  Professional help should never be stigmatized or frowned upon. Get yourself and your teen the help you both deserve.

The history of the war on drugs has taught us much about all the wrong ways to approach the topic of addiction, both at home and at large. Addiction is no simple thing, and aside from being a difficult topic to approach, it is a very difficult thing to fight, especially without compassion or tolerance. 

Paving the path towards understanding is important if you want your teens to have a healthier relationship with the concepts of substance use, and mental health in general. 

Be Honest, Be Informative

Nothing hurts your teen’s trust more than editorializing the truth. It’s natural for a parent to wish to demonize drugs and drug use, but if a teen feels like their parents are leaving out or exacerbating certain pieces of information, they might feel skeptical about everything else they’ve been told by figures of authority. 

Kids who grew up hearing all about how drugs can instantly mess up a person’s brain might feel lied to when they see a coherent friend of theirs use a dangerous drug. Likewise, not knowing anything about the short- and long-term effects of drug use can be a powerful risk factor for addiction. 

Information is crucially important. Regardless of whether your teenager has or hasn’t tried drugs before, consider having multiple conversations with them about your potential family history with addiction and mental health, about the effects of drug use, about your own experiences with substances both legal and illegal, about regrets and misunderstandings, and about the facts of both short-term and long-term use – and the deleterious consequences of substance use, whether recreationally, for self-medication, or out of sheer curiosity.

Teenagers have unrestricted access to a treasure trove of information – and misinformation. Teach them to navigate the internet and double-check their facts, read citations, and identify scientific sources. 

Questionable substances, including marijuana, ketamine, and MDMA, play important roles in medical research and have been studied for efficacious use for years. But there’s just as much, if not more evidence showing the deleterious side of these substances, and why their unregulated and unsupervised use can lead to a decline in physical and mental health. 

Ask Questions and Listen

As kids get older, they appreciate being talked down to less and less. Teens are more likely to respond to a conversation that treats them like an adult. 

This can be annoying for some parents, but it provides others with a crucial avenue to discuss important topics with the understanding that a teen can and will shape their own opinions, seek information on their own time, and may disagree with you in several ways. 

Embrace opportunities to find out what your teen might know or think about these substances and utilize them as chances to challenge these beliefs with a wealth of medical information, and nuanced opinions. 

Do Not Underestimate Your Influence

As teens grow older and more distant from their parents, it’s easy to feel like all hope is lost, and your positive influence on your child is continuously waning. But it’s important to recognize that this isn’t entirely true. 

Even if your teen isn’t in the mood to talk to you, they still consciously or subconsciously respect you a lot more than you might expect. Parental influence is a much more powerful protective (and risk) factor in addiction, more so than peer influence. 

Your teens are more likely to mirror your attitude and behavior towards drugs than anything else, and are more likely to avoid drug use if your values and ethics don’t support it. 

But there is an important caveat in this, as it predicates on the idea that your teen has a good relationship with you. Parental influence wanes the strongest not with age, but with toxic or abrasive parenting styles. Authoritarian parents will have a harder time “controlling” their child despite their best efforts, versus firm, but more lax parenting approaches, such as the authoritative parent. 

Recognizing When It’s Time to Intervene

Teenagers make mistakes. They do things they shouldn’t, sometimes even on a fairly regular basis. They rarely, if ever, think things through, and a big part of growing up involves learning from the copious mistakes you make during adolescence. 

But there is a time and place when a parent’s intervention is important, and even necessary. While the number of teens who are addicted to drugs is less than the number of teens who have experimented with them, it’s likely not an insignificant statistic nonetheless. 

Teenagers are more likely to struggle with addiction after trying an addictive drug for the first time than their older peers, and as with most things, treating an addiction as soon as possible improves the chances of recovery. 

But when does a teen’s habit take the plunge towards a dangerous substance use disorder? The answer depends entirely on your teen’s behavior. Drug addiction generally sets itself apart from first-time use or curious experimentation by way of several key signs and symptoms: 

• Sudden and drastic changes in behavior
• Irritability and irrational thinking
• Mood swings
• Restlessness or oversleeping
• Stark shifts in appetite
• Relationship problems
• Trouble with friends
• Rapid decline in grades
• Lying about stopping
• Hiding drug paraphernalia or alcohol
• Exacerbated mental health issues (if they have a concurrent diagnosis)
• And more

If any or several of these issues apply to your teen, then it may be worth approaching the idea of seeking professional help together. If you think your teen would not be very receptive to the idea of visiting a therapist or professional, your best bet may be to schedule an appointment with a professional yourself and discuss options for an intervention. 

Don’t give up on the idea that you’re a major influence on your child’s life. While it can be incredibly difficult to get through to a stubborn teenager, especially one that’s struggling with an inner battle of this caliber, constant support and vigilance are key to helping teens fight against addiction, and work on putting themselves on the long road of recovery.

It is a well-known fact that substance abuse among teens can result in many negative health effects. The dangers of substance abuse among teens are such that it should be the focus of attention for every parent and educator.

The article will explore the various risks associated with substance abuse among teens as well as what we can do to help reduce them to ensure a healthy future for your teenager.

The Health Risks of Substance Abuse Among Teens

Substance abuse can cause serious health risks for everyone. However, substance abuse among teens can result in even greater health risks because substance abuse can interfere with the development of a teen’s brain. This means that substance abuse among teens has the potential to prevent healthy brain growth and function, which can have an impact on overall physical as well as mental health.

In addition to developmental issues, substance abuse can also result in substance use disorders and addiction, substance withdrawal symptoms, and substance overdose.

All of these substance abuse risks can adversely affect a teen’s ability to lead a healthy and productive life.

While substance abuse among teens has decreased overall for this generation, there’s still been an upward trend among teens in the last few years. Today’s youth might be less inclined to drink or smoke than their parents, but the numbers aren’t anything to sneeze at either, with vaping, cigarette use, alcohol, and all illicit drugs seeing a major rise in usage between 2019 and 2020. 

Over two-thirds have reportedly had a drink by the 12th grade, and up to half of the students between grades 9 and 12 have tried marijuana before graduation. Even more egregious is prescription medication misuse, which roughly every two in ten 12th graders admit to. 

But we know that trying a drug out and struggling with substance abuse are two very different situations. Nevertheless, teens are more susceptible to the effects of addictive drugs and are statistically more likely to develop a substance use disorder after early first use than older adults – making even simple experimentation a very risky thing. 

Regardless of age and substance, drug use is a scary topic for many parents and caregivers. 

It isn’t enough to demonize drugs or repeat the same talking points to teens when trying to prevent drug use, though. There are clear ways to reduce the harm and likelihood of a substance use disorder in most cases and educating teens on the real effects of substance abuse is just one of these ways. 

How Common is Substance Abuse Among Teens?

It’s very difficult to gauge substance abuse on a statistical level, versus illegal substance use. Teens, in general, aren’t allowed to smoke or drink and illicit prescription drug use applies to all ages. But the line between trying a drug and becoming addicted is blurry and individual. 

The methodology used to gather data on teenage drug use doesn’t always allow for a clear picture of whether a surveyed teen is struggling with a substance use disorder, either. 

But what we can gather from the information pooled over decades of research is that teen drug use is rising following the beginning of the pandemic and that teens are struggling with other mental health issues more than ever. 

Our youth are greatly at risk as a result of these increases and continue to struggle in the absence of the necessary psychiatric healthcare resources needed to address these issues. 

But that doesn’t mean you can’t take matters into your own hands. There are ways to seek help for your teen, including inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, long-term recovery plans, medication, and therapy. Understanding the factors that might have contributed to a person’s drug use also goes a long way towards helping them in recovery. 

Increased Risk for Mental Health Issues

Teenagers who abuse drugs or alcohol have a higher risk of developing mental health issues, including substance use disorders and substance addiction.

According to substanceabuse.com substance abuse can lead to substance use disorders in teens if substance abuse continues over time. This means that substance abuse among teens poses the risk of substance addiction, which is characterized by long-term substance cravings even after substance dependence has been diagnosed.

Many teenagers who are addicted to substance abuse go on to develop substance use disorders. This means that substance addiction among teens can result in substance use disorders if substance abuse continues over time.

If a teenager is turning to substance abuse as a means of self-medication for an existing mental health disorder, including depression or anxiety, the teen is at risk of developing a co-occurring disorder.

Substance abuse can lead not only to substance use disorders and substance addiction but also to behavioral problems, including lack of motivation, acts of violence, and mood disorders.

In fact, substance abuse among teens can increase their risk of substance-related problems in adulthood by up to five times. In addition, substance abuse has been linked with an increased risk for antisocial personality disorder or other substance use disorders by up to ten times.

Higher Risk for Physical Injuries and Violence

Substance abuse among teens can result in a higher risk of physical injuries and violence. Substance abuse can lead to an increased risk of substance-related injuries, including motor vehicle accidents, falls and unintentional injuries, burns, and substance-related violence.

This is particularly dangerous for teens learning to operate a motor vehicle and teens entering the workforce.

Increased substance abuse among teens has not only been linked with substance-related injuries but also an increased risk for physical fighting, both inside and outside the home. Substance abuse can result in substance-related violent behavior, which includes acts of violence aimed at oneself or others that are typically caused by substance use or withdrawal effects or to get access to substances.

Higher Risk of Unsafe Sexual Behavior

Substance abuse among teens has been linked with an increased risk of unsafe sexual behavior, including unprotected sex, teen pregnancy, and substance-related sexual assault.

Substance abuse can lead to poor decision-making abilities, so substance abusers may be more likely to engage in unprotected sex because they are not thinking about the potential dangers of substance use.

Increased substance abuse among teens has been linked with a higher risk of teen pregnancy before the age of 18. In fact, substance abuse is associated with up to half of all teen pregnancies.

Greater Likelihood of Drug Addiction as an Adult

Teenagers who abuse substances are more likely to develop substance addictions even after substance abuse stops. Substance addiction is characterized by substance cravings and compulsive substance use, even in the face of substance-related health issues or negative consequences associated with substance use.

Substance abuse among teens has been linked not only with an increased risk of substance addiction but also biological changes that make it harder for substance abusers to stop substance use even after substance addiction has been diagnosed.

Substance abuse during adolescence increases the risk of substance addiction and substance use disorders in adulthood.

Peer Pressure: Myth or Fact?

Peer pressure plays less of a role for younger teens than it does for older adults. Studies show that parental influence is a stronger factor in the risk of substance abuse than peer influence, and that upbringing and predisposition play a larger role in peer selection, to begin with. 

It’s only once children reach a point of maturity where they begin to move out of the house and develop ties to other people in other places that their attachment to home is greatly reduced, and peer influence takes on a greater role. 

That doesn’t mean that peer pressure doesn’t exist. It’s one of many possible factors that influence a teen’s decision-making. The more the people around them use drugs, the more likely a teen is to try drugs as well. But parents should know that their general attitude and history with drugs is likely to be reflected in the behavior of their kids, even more so than the behavior of the popular kids in class. Especially if the bond between a parent and their child is reinforced through care and good parenting. 

Why Addressing Substance Abuse in Teens is Crucial

The earlier a person is exposed to an addictive drug, the more likely they are to struggle with substance abuse as they get older. This suggests that children and teens are generally more susceptible to the addictive qualities of drugs like nicotine, alcohol, and certain prescription medication, as well as illicit substances. 

Using drugs at an early age also has a much greater impact on the physical and mental development of a person. The brain is a very fragile thing, and it’s even more fragile in adolescence than in adulthood. Developing brains may be stunted cognitively even by low amounts of illegal drug use, so helping minimize a teen’s substance use and treat their condition immediately is important.

What Parents Can Do to Reduce the Health Risks of Substance Abuse Among Teens?

As a parent, there are several things you can do to reduce the health risks of substance abuse among teens. It is important to set a good example and not engage in substance use or substance-related behaviors around your teen and instead be an active substance-free role model for them.

It is also critical that you talk to your teen about substance abuse early on, at the beginning of adolescence when substance abuse rates tend to be higher.

You should also make substance-free activities available to your teen, like substance-free social events or substance-free recreational activities. You can also monitor your teen’s substance use by looking out for substance cravings and withdrawal effects, both of which are telltale signs that substance abuse is taking place.

It is important to keep the lines of communication open with your teen, so they know that substance abuse is not okay and there are risks associated with substance abuse. You should also ensure that you have a good relationship with your teen by spending time together outside of substance-related events, keeping substance use out of conversation, and being supportive in general.

Teen Substance Abuse Treatment

Substance abuse treatment is widely available around the country. However, if you are interested in helping your teen, you may be interested in teen treatment programs.

Teen substance abuse treatment can help teens overcome substance abuse issues by developing substance-free coping skills, helping teens better manage their emotions, and encouraging healthy communication with family members.

Teen substance abuse treatment also helps to increase the likelihood that substance abusers will avoid relapse in the future.