How To Help A Teen Struggling With Drug Abuse

Seeing your teen struggle with drug abuse is heartbreaking for any family member. Helping them can feel challenging, overwhelming and at times impossible. However, it’s important to remember that recovery is achievable.

What To Know About Teen Drug Use

Teen drug abuse is a serious problem that affects many families. According to recent studies, by the time teens are in 12th grade, 46.6% of them will have tried illicit drugs. Furthermore, 11% of overdose deaths occur in people 15 to 24 years old. It is not uncommon for teens to experiment with drugs, which may lead to long-term health complications.

Why Do Teens Use Drugs?

Several factors may contribute to why teens turn to drugs. These include:

• Peer Pressure: The desire to fit in with friends who are using drugs.
• Stress and Anxiety: Many teens use drugs as a way to cope with academic pressure or personal issues.
• Curiosity: A natural curiosity about drugs and their effects.
• Family Environment: A history of substance abuse in the family can increase the likelihood of drug use.

Signs of Substance Abuse in Teens

The signs of substance abuse may change in teens based on the substance used. However, parents should be on the lookout for the following signs:

• Behavioral Changes: Sudden changes in behavior, such as aggression or withdrawal from family activities, can be an indicator of substance abuse.
• Academic Problems: Unexplained decline in academic performance or frequent absences from school are another common sign of substance abuse in teens.
• Physical Symptoms: Changes in appetite, weight loss or unexplained injuries are a common sign to look out for.
• Social Changes: New friends who are known to use drugs, or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, can be a signal of deeper issues.

How Do Drugs Affect Teens?

Understanding the impact drugs have on teenagers is key. Drugs can severely affect a teen’s physical, emotional and mental health.

Physical health effects

Teens are still growing and developing, which means that drug abuse can have serious physical health effects.

Drugs can interfere with brain development, leading to long-term cognitive deficits and challenges. Chronic drug use can also cause health problems such as heart disease, respiratory issues and other serious conditions.

Finally, teens are at a higher risk of developing addiction due to their still-developing brains.

Mental health effects

Drugs can also exacerbate existing mental health issues or create new ones. For example, drugs may increase feelings of depression and anxiety. This can lead to an addiction cycle, where the teenager uses drugs to manage their mental health, but their mental health worsens due to drug use. In time, the teen may become reliant on substances to manage their mental health.

Drug abuse in teens can also increase the risk of developing behavioral disorders such as ADHD or conduct disorders.

Practical Advice for Family Members

If you are a family member of a teen struggling with drug abuse, here are some practical steps you can take:

• Stay Informed: Learn as much as you can about substance abuse and treatment options.
• Be Supportive: Show empathy and support rather than judgment or anger.
• Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules and consequences related to drug use.
• Educate Them: Educate teens about the dangers of drug use and the impact it can have on their lives. Knowledge is a powerful tool in prevention.
• Be A Positive Role Model: Surround your teen with positive role models who can influence them positively. This includes family members, teachers and community leaders.
• Seek Professional Help: Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance to navigate the complexities of substance abuse treatment for your teen.