Drugs drag everyone down. In a 2017 survey, 13.8% of teenagers said they used drugs or alcohol in the last 30 days.
The high number suggests that drug rehab for teens is ineffective. That is far from the truth.
Why do teens use drugs, and what are the signs that they are on drugs? How can a teenager with an addiction start treatment? What makes for a good treatment center, and what therapies should a teenager pursue?
Answer these questions and you can help a teenager recover from any kind of drug addiction. Here is your quick guide.
Causes of Teen Drug Addiction
Understanding why a teenager is using drugs is integral to treatment at rehab centers for teens. Teens may experiment with drugs in order to see what they are like. Some people who experiment with drugs don’t become addicted, even after several uses.
Peer pressure may lead a teenager to experiment and continue using drugs. They may smoke marijuana or drink alcohol to fit in at a party.
Other teenagers may turn to drugs to deal with stressors. Stimulant drugs like Adderall may help a teenager stay awake and focus on their schoolwork. Some teenagers may use sedatives so they can fall asleep or calm down after encountering something stressful.
LGBQ teenagers use drugs two times more often than heterosexual teenagers. Many LGBQ teenagers encounter homophobia, and they may use drugs to cope with the bigotry.
Addiction can run through families. A child who witnesses their relative use drugs is more likely to use drugs themselves. Addiction has some genetic components, though a person with genes related to addiction can avoid becoming addicted.
Signs of Teen Drug Addiction
A substance use disorder can manifest in several different ways. The signs of a teenager’s addiction are near-identical to the signs of an adult’s addiction.
Many people who are addicted change their personal appearance. If they inject drugs, they may wear long sleeves to conceal their marks. Their eyes may become bloodshot, or they may lose weight and become pale.
Their clothes or breath may smell like smoke or chemicals. Others may notice the smell, and they may become defensive.
Mood swings are a very common symptom. A person may seem angry at the slightest inconvenience, only to calm themselves down in a moment. Their emotions may go in the opposite direction as well.
Someone on drugs may become more secretive, spending a lot of their time outside the house. They may ask for money and give odd explanations for why they need it. They may miss curfew, or they may skip school for unknown reasons.
Starting Treatment
Someone does not need to “hit rock bottom” before starting treatment. Some people on drugs recognize that they have a problem and need help. They should talk to someone they trust, then get directed to a teen drug addiction center.
Other people may need a wake-up call. An intervention is one strategy that can help, but it is not the only one.
A casual conversation can inspire a teenager to receive treatment. It may be best for a teenager to talk to their friends instead of relatives. Lectures in school about drug use may also inspire them to seek treatment.
Finding Teen Rehab Facilities
Concerned parents can google “drug rehab for young adults” and find options for their children. But they should go to an experienced drug counselor or therapist first. The counselor can give them suggestions on where their children should go and how they can help their children recover.
The best facilities share several qualities. Education is the most important one. A good facility will allow teenagers to continue their education while receiving help.
Family involvement is also essential. The facility should offer family therapy and educational resources for family members to learn about addiction.
At the same time, teenagers should be able to pursue their own interests. They should have recreational time so they can engage in their hobbies, including extracurricular activities.
The facility should be flexible. LGBTQIA+ teenagers may need resources and counseling that non-LGBTQ teenagers do not require. Teenagers with ADHD and PTSD should be able to receive treatment for those conditions.
Therapies for Teens
Treatment for teenagers is similar to treatment for adults. The most common therapies that manage drug addiction work for young and old people alike.
Animal-assisted therapy helps teenagers learn responsibility and social skills. They care for animals and learn how to speak and act around them.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a special kind of one-on-one talk therapy. A teenager works with a therapist on changing their thought patterns. They recognize false assumptions of themselves and use problem-solving skills to find new ways of coping with stress.
Group therapy is another option for teenagers. A small group of teenagers gathers together to discuss their life stories and develop new skills.
Treatment is individualized and flexible. The teenager has a say in what therapies they want to pursue. If something is not working, the teenager can abandon that therapy and try out a new one.
Get Drug Rehab for Teens
Drug rehab for teens can be very effective. Teens use drugs for many different reasons, including social pressure and pain relief. Someone with an addiction may change their personal appearance and become more secretive.
Anyone with an addiction can start treatment at any time. A conversation amongst friends can provide enough incentive for a teenager to get help.
A good facility for teens will value education and family involvement. A teenager should pursue many diverse therapies, including animal-assisted therapy.
Don’t wait around to get help. Eagle Overlook Recovery for Adolescents serves Georgia’s teens. Contact us today.