Adolescent Substance Abuse

Recent studies have found that over 1 million kids are dependent on drugs and over 900,000 are dependent on alcohol. A study of high school seniors also found that over half have tried marijuana in the past and an additional 29% admitted to trying one of the harder drugs like cocaine or heroin. They also found that kids as young in 12 were using and trying alcohol and over 5 million admitted to binge drinking. Studies have also found that kinds are still using huffing as a way to get high, by inhaling cleaning products, glue and paint.

Adolescents are more prone to substance abuse because of peer pressure. These children desperately want to fit in and be part of the group and are willing to do anything it takes to be accepted. They’re prone to pressures at parties and even at school. These same kids are also looking for a release due to the amount of pressure they face from parents and school. They think of illegal substances as the only release from those pressures.

The prevalence of these substances makes it even easier for adolescents to fall into patterns of substance abuse. They can buy marijuana at school or on the street corner. They can also abuse substances found in their own home. Parents are now locking liquor cabinets, but neglecting the medicine cabinet. Kids can easily experiment with the prescription drugs found in their home or buy drugs from their friends. There are many stories of kids taking ADHD medications and selling them to others in their school.

The treatment of substance abuse in adolescents begins by identifying the problems and the associated risk factors. Teens are more likely to relapse and use again than adults addicted to the same substance. The counselor helps the adolescent find their problem areas and learn ways to avoid those situations and find ways to say no. Teens are also more likely to find help and support in a group setting, where they can learn and discuss with others in their age group who faced the same problems.

For more information on adolescent substance abuse see:

Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base

Teens and Addiction

Teens: Alcohol and Other Drugs

Alcohol and Other Drug Information for Teens

Talking with Teens About Alcohol

Visions Teen Adolescent Treatment Center

Teenage Drug and Alcohol Abuse Information

The Partnership for a Drug Free America

Teen Drug Abuse

Teen Drug Use and Abuse

Check Yourself

Drugs and Alcohol at Teen Health

Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Family Therapy for Adolescent Drug Abuse

Adolescent Substance Abuse

Center for Treatment Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse

Getting the Facts About Adolescent Substance Abuse and Treatment

Drugs and Teen Substance Abuse

Adolescence and Alcohol

Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention

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