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Teen Drug Abuse

Teen Drug Abuse Articles

Every day, thousands of young people experiment with illicit drugs.  And while many of them will never take their drug use beyond this "experimentation" level, far too many will continue to engage in this behavior to the point where it becomes an issue of teen drug abuse.

Teen drug abuse is loosely defined as any young person who takes drugs at the risk of their own health and well-being.  Young drug abusers put their family relationships, education and future in jeopardy in the name of getting high until teen drug rehab becomes a necessity.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs by Teens

Throughout the course of the last half-century different drugs have fallen in and out of favor with young people.    A drug that once a significant problem among teens may have been replaced by other, more dangerous substances.

Currently, the most commonly abused drugs by teens are:

  • Marijuana
  • Alcohol
  • Cocaine
  • Heroin
  • Prescription Painkillers (OxyContin, Vicodin, etc.)
  • Crystal meth
  • Stimulants
  • Ecstasy

The Growing Need for Teen Drug Abuse Treatment

Living in a world where children are supervised less, and have greater access to drugs than ever, it is easy to see the value of teen drug abuse treatment.  The more kids who have access to prescription drugs through the Internet, the growing problem of teen inhalant abuse and teen cocaine abuse, all indicate that we need to recognize the value of these treatment facilities.

What Makes Teen Drug Abuse Treatment Different?

Young people engage in drug use for different reasons than adults, and as such, need different drug treatment methods to help them break the cycle of addiction.  Teen respond better, for example, to group counseling with other teens.   They respect their peers enough to form support groups within the program that help accelerate the recovery process.

Some of the root causes for teen drug addiction include:

  • Peer pressure. A young person's social group plays an incredibly important role in the choices they make.    Being involved with a circle of friends that experiments with drugs makes the individual much more likely to take part in that behavior themselves.
  • Self-image issues.  The cause of many problems amongst teenagers, including drug addiction, alcohol addiction and eating disorders,  coping with a poor sense of self can lead to escapist behavior that includes substance abuse.
  • Problems at home. Many teenagers turn to drugs as a means of escaping their problems at home.   This is most common in families where there is physical abuse, sexual abuse or other forms of neglect and conflict are present.

The Difference between Outpatient and Residential Drug Treatment for Teens

Families who have a teenager involved in drug use have a variety of treatment options at their disposal.  However, the first and potentially most important decision involves choosing between an outpatient and residential teen drug treatment program.

  • Outpatient teen drug rehab.  Teenagers undergo counseling and other elements of addiction treatment throughout the day, then return home in the evening.
  • Residential teen drug rehab. A more intense program in which the teenager moves into the rehab facility where they receive round-the-clock care for their drug addiction.

Newport Academy is a residential addiction treatment and recovery facility made just for teens.  The staff is comprised of the most caring professionals - all of whom have devoted their lives to helping teens overcome addiction and enjoy long, healthy lives.  Contact Newport Academy today for more information