Newport Academy

The teen years are a prime time for drug and alcohol abuse to start. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, the earlier a person abuses illicit substances, the more likely they are to develop a lifelong issue with addiction, so it’s crucial that parents and teachers recognize the signs of early drug abuse in teenagers – and the signs that it may be about to begin – so they can address it immediately and nip it in the bud.

How Teen Drug Abuse Starts

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that some teens are active drug abusers by the age of 12 or 13, which means that they are starting to abuse drugs at an even earlier age. “Starter drugs” may include alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, prescription drugs found in the medicine cabinets of family members, and cigarettes. As they get older, teens may move on to “harder” drugs like cocaine or heroin – the earlier they get started, the heavier they will abuse these harder drugs later on and the more likely they will be to develop a psychological and physical dependence.

Why do some teens experiment with drugs or alcohol with few repercussions and others can’t walk away? There is no known cause that applies across the board, but experts theorize a number of possible explanations, including:

• Genetic predisposition
• Environmental acceptance of heavy drug use
• Peer pressure

Those who are exposed to drugs on a regular basis and have friends who abuse drugs are more likely to continue early drug use until a dependence develops.

Fighting Early Teen Drug Abuse

Early prevention is the best way to help teens from developing a lifelong drug habit. Recognizing risk factors like environment, peer issues and genetic factors can put teachers and parents on high alert. When kids hit the age of 9 or 10, paying attention to where they are, what they’re doing and who they’re doing it with can help those who are concerned to recognize small changes and risks.

Talking to your child is one of the best ways to help them understand the dangers of drugs and your expectations as well as the consequences of breaking rules associated with substance abuse. By the time the teen years start, you should have a good idea whether or not drug abuse is a problem for your teen and be prepared to implement more serious consequences if grounding and other punishments have failed to make a difference in your child’s behavior.

If you would like to speak with a counselor about the drug abuse treatment programs available for teens here at Newport Academy, contact us today. We can help you decide which of our programs is a good fit for your teen and help you help them get their life back on track now.

With a new year comes new hope for the future. For teens recently out of rehab and those who have been in recovery for a while, the new year can mean a chance to rededicate themselves to the principles of sobriety. Here’s how you can help.

For Your Long-Time Recovering Teen

Rehab is often motivating for teens. They come home feeling healthy and positive with a new focus for their lives and often do well in the first couple of weeks after treatment. However, as the days pass and the old stressors begin to take their toll, many teens lose focus on their recovery goals and the urgency with which they originally avoided abusing drugs and alcohol. To get your teen back on track, consider:

• Enrolling your teen in an outpatient treatment program to help them renew their understanding of recovery principles
• Instituting a regular family night, family dinners or monthly family weekends so you can check in continually with your teen
• Touching base with Newport Academy to discuss different therapeutic options and recovery support available to your teen

For Your Newly Recovering Teen

Take advantage of the excitement and new direction that your teen acquired during treatment and make sure that your new year is full of dedicated treatment opportunities. For example, you might expose your teen to:

• Family therapy sessions that keep the lines of communication open at home
• 12-step meetings that are designed specifically for teens
• Group therapy sessions for teens that focus on specific aspects and struggles they face in recovery
• Personal therapy sessions that allow them to work through some of the obstacles faced each day that may eventually add up to a relapse.

For Your Addicted Teen

If your teenager is abusing drugs and/or alcohol and you have not yet enrolled him or her in treatment, now is the time. Don’t give up another year to fighting with your teen or watching their self-destructive behavior. By speaking up and intervening early, you increase the chance of a successful recovery for your child and increase your family’s opportunities to heal as well. Get started by:

• Exploring Newport Academy’s website to learn more about the programs available to your teen
• Scheduling a tour at Newport Academy or emailing for more information.
• Calling us at the phone number listed above to get your questions answered and discuss the needs of your child

Help your teen move forward in recovery from addiction in 2012. Call now.