Teen Marijuana Addiction

Table of Contents
Addiction Statistics
Myths About Marijuana
Signs and Symptoms
Addicted Teens
How Dependence Hurts
Teen Treatment

One of the most hotly contested debates in the world of addiction treatment is whether or not marijuana is technically an addictive drug. But as treatment and healthcare professionals continue to go back and forth on the issue, countless young people have seen their lives thrown into disrepair as a result of their abuse of marijuana. Teen marijuana addiction is one of the most pressing problems facing our children today, and unless the problem is addressed at a family level, it will continue to claim the health and well-being of thousands of adolescents across the country.

Is your teen struggling with marijuana addiction or chronic abuse? Are you worried about the changes you’re seeing as they begin to use more and more of the drug? The best way to help your teen is to take action. Contact us at Newport Academy to hear about your child’s options in teen-specific marijuana addiction treatment.

Teen Marijuana Abuse and Addiction Statistics

Although some research has found that marijuana abuse among teens has leveled off in recent years, there are still far too many young people putting their future in jeopardy as a result of this drug. Consider the following statistics:

• A study funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse found that in 2002, more than 10.8 percent of all 10th graders, and 32.4 percent of 12th graders had abused marijuana at least once in the last year.
• Among teens aged 12 to 17, boys were much likely than girls to report marijuana use.
• Marijuana remains the most commonly abused drug among teenagers by a wide margin.

These statistics show that marijuana abuse is a significant issue for teens in middle school through high school. Unfortunately, if this behavior goes unchecked by parents, it can mean a lifelong struggle with addiction that changes everything about your teen’s future.

Marijuana Addiction Myths

Too many people believe that teen marijuana abuse is nothing to worry about, a normal activity for teens and nothing dangerous. Some parents even believe that it's okay for their teen to abuse marijuana as long as they do so at home where they can be supervised and won't drive. Unfortunately, myths like these cause teens who abuse marijuana to continue the practice, developing a habit that gets in the way of their ability to perform well in school, make progress toward their career goals, and meet people who will be an encouragement and inspiration in their lives.

Marijuana, like alcohol and other drugs of abuse, is also destructive to teens because teenagers are at a critical developmental stage mentally and emotionally. Drug abuse of any kind can stunt their development and cause them problems for years to come.

According to the Office of National Drug Control, there are a number of different myths about marijuana addiction. Here are a few of the most common:

• “Teen Marijuana Abuse Is Normal.” Teen marijuana abuse is not the behavior of a "normal" teenager. Though a single experimentation is not uncommon, many teens never abuse drugs or alcohol during their high school years. Those who do and continue to abuse the drug often have other issues they are struggling with and attempting to escape from by smoking marijuana. Help your teen deal with these issues through psychological treatment and you'll help them get rid of the impulse to smoke marijuana and/or try other dangerous drugs.

• “Teen Marijuana Abuse Is Okay as Long as He or She Does It at Home.” Some parents believe that if they are able to supervise their teen while he or she smokes marijuana or drinks alcohol that it will somehow protect them from making bad choices while under the influence – like driving or having unprotected sex. Unfortunately, this is not only an ill-advised decision but an illegal one. Parents who allow their teens to abuse any drug, including alcohol, at home can be held liable in court. Additionally, the privilege of abusing illegal drugs at home does nothing but reinforce the idea that it's okay to break rules that aren't liked and opens the door to the idea that other drugs may be safe as well.

• “Teen Marijuana Abuse Is Not Dangerous.” Teen marijuana abuse steals your child's drive and focus. It can easily become an addiction that takes years away from their life. It can lead to other addictions that are deadly and steal more than just energy, money and time. It can lead to poor choices that hurt your child or other people who inadvertently get in their way when they're behind the wheel. Teen marijuana abuse is very dangerous, and if your teen is abusing the drug, take action to help them stop today.

Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction in Teens

Parents and loved ones should be aware of the hallmark signs and symptoms of marijuana addiction so they can identify that there is a problem and take the necessary steps to getting the child the help they need via a teen drug rehab program.

The most common signs and symptoms of teen marijuana addiction and abuse are:

• Bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
• Hanging out with a new set of friends, unknown to the family
• Suddenly poor performance at school (grades slipping, attendance falling, etc.)
• Finding marijuana paraphernalia in the child's room or clothing (including rolling papers, drug residue, pipes, etc.)
• Secretive behavior
• Defensiveness when questioned about drug use

When Your Teen Is Addicted to Marijuana

When you find out that your teen is living with an active marijuana addiction, it can be difficult to know what to do first. Emotions are often overwhelming and figuring out the right response and how to go forward can be mind-numbing if you don't have a plan in place in advance. The best way to fight back against a teen marijuana addiction is to address it head on, according to the National Health Information Center. If setting limits and boundaries doesn't curb your teen's marijuana abuse, then they are clearly struggling with a marijuana addiction. The only way to deal with teen marijuana addiction effectively is to find a teen rehab that can help immediately.

• Get emotions in check. It's not easy to discover that your teen is abusing or addicted to any drug, including marijuana. Smelling the drug on them, seeing the way their behavior and facial expressions change while under the influence, watching their grades plummet, and finding drugs and paraphernalia among their possessions – as the signs add up, it can mean a wide array of emotions. Anger, depression, frustration, denial and disbelief are all common responses. However, it's important to recognize that while these emotions are common and even expected, it is necessary that you get them under control before addressing your teen. Remain calm, speak clearly and stand firm on your convictions. If marijuana addiction is an issue, then it's time for your teen to go to marijuana rehab.

• Talk to your teen. You can’t address the issue effectively if you don’t start by confronting your teen about marijuana abuse and abuse of other drugs. If you haven’t done so already, set boundaries. Outline the repercussions for continued marijuana abuse. Be very clear and take no excuses or argument.
• Talk to your spouse or co-parenting partner. If marijuana abuse is an issue for your teen, their other parent needs to know about it. Have a discussion and determine what the best course going forward will be. Come to an agreement that you can both live with and support.
• Follow through. Once you choose a course of action and response to continued marijuana abuse, follow through. Your teen will not be helped by getting second, third and fourth chances. If marijuana abuse and addiction continues, treatment is necessary.

Effects of Teen Marijuana Addiction on the Family

Teen marijuana addiction affects everyone in the family – anyone who has regular contact with the addicted teen will in some way be irritated, saddened, angered, hurt and/or distraught by the behavior of their loved one under the influence and their inability to quit abusing marijuana. Each person will react differently but some of the common reactions of parents, siblings and extended family members are listed below.

The good news is that the effects of teen marijuana addiction on the family can be addressed and treated at a drug rehab program. Family members are encouraged to take part in family therapy sessions, support groups and workshops in order to find their own space to heal and learn how to move forward with their loved one after marijuana addiction.

• Parents. Parents and their relationships with each other, their addicted child and other children in the family are all damaged by their teen’s marijuana addiction. It’s hard for parents to agree on the best way to handle the issue of a child’s addiction and there are usually problems as a result – in fact, many parents even separate or divorce over the issue. When dealing directly with their addicted teen, the resentment and anger that parents feel can make it difficult for them to remain nonjudgmental and calm when faced with tough situations. When dealing with other children in the family, parents may be distant and unable to engage because they are so exhausted by the issues of their addicted child.

• Siblings. Siblings often have a very hard time when their brother or sister becomes addicted to marijuana. Angry over their sibling’s inability to stop abusing the drug, they often resent the problems that their addicted sibling causes in the family as well as the time and attention they monopolize as a result. In some cases, younger brothers and sisters follow in their addicted sibling’s footsteps and begin to smoke marijuana as well. Others become withdrawn and surly as they find other places to get the attention and recognition that they need and want.

• Extended family. Extended family members who live far away may only be peripherally involved, if at all, but those who live close by are often also negatively impacted by a teen’s marijuana addiction. If they have children around the same age, they may be concerned about allowing the cousins to spend time together. In many cases, the immediate family members of the addicted teen will withdraw from family events because they are embarrassed about their teen’s behavior and rarely if ever have gatherings in their own home. Most people lose touch even with the closest family members except in the event of a crisis and those who remain closely involved are often burned by the addicted teen’s moods.

Treatment for Teen Marijuana Addiction

The best way to help someone, especially a young person, break the cycle of marijuana addiction is through a teen drug rehab program. Marijuana rehab helps teens overcome their physical and psychological addiction to THC. Through detox, counseling and aftercare the teen is given an opportunity to not only get sober, but learn the life skills necessary to stay that way. These programs offer a life-changing experience that can help a teen change his or her habits so that marijuana is no longer a response to the "triggers" that occur during the course of day-to-day life.

If you would like to learn more about Newport Academy or our modalities of treatment in our inpatient and outpatient teen drug addiction treatment programs, contact us today. We can answer all your questions and help you determine the best course of care for your teen. Call now.