Help for Teens

Early Intervention Is Critical for Adolescent Recovery

Addiction changes the brain. That’s why substance use disorders are measured as a legitimate disease inducing both physical and psychological changes within those who remain untreated. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to developing substance use disorders.

Unfortunately, teens don’t consider the long-term detriments of experimenting with addictive substances. Once exposed to addictive substances over a long period of time, the brain under goes potentially permanent chemical changes.

Those chemical reactions are responsible for inhibiting the healthy production of natural chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

Specifically, alcohol retards the brain’s development in adolescents. Those who begin drinking early on in life are at an increased risk of developing full-blown alcohol dependence use disorders.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Statistics

• Children with a hereditary predisposition to addiction are more at-risk for addiction
• This study asserts addressing substance abuse early on in adolescence is critical to recovery
• Three in five high school students have admitted to indulging in one alcoholic beverage
• Those beginning to drink before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop an alcohol use dependency (AUD) disorder
• Early use of alcohol increases one’s chance of abusing other addictive substances, engaging in sex with six or more partners, and earning Ds and Fs in school
• In 2007 19.9 million American students aged 12 and older admitted they were current users of an illicit substance
• Males between the ages of 12-20 are more likely to binge drink as opposed to their female peers

If you know your teen needs help, act now!

Chronic Substance Use Disorders Typically Begin in Adolescence

Adolescents begin abusing addictive substances for a variety of reasons. The following are just a few of the most common— not all are applicable to each case, and this is by no means an exhaustive list.However, the following reasons are a well-rounded representation of many high school students:

Depression: Mild to severe depression may encourage experimentation with addictive substances to help one feel better. Stimulants and marijuana are the most common candidates, but opiate and heroin use should not be excluded from consideration.

Those using addictive substances to self-medicate for depression are making an attempt to quell internal pain.Therapy or expression of said depression is healthy and will help remedy the underlying causes of self-medication.

Experimentation & Curiosity: Sometimes kids are curious. The legal and illicit use of addictive substances are made widely “popular” by common TV shows and music. The urge to experiment will always remain a participating factor in adolescent substance abuse. Many express the want of knowing what different substances “feel like.”

Education prevention is the most effective method in thwarting these urges. Teaching adolescents the hidden long-term effects of many addictive substances is all they need to make the right decisions.

Undiagnosed Mental Health Disorders: During the adolescent years differentiating hormonal behavior from that of mental health disorders delays the proper diagnosis of said diseases. Kids and teens struggling to cope with untreated mental health issues may self-medicate in an attempt to alleviate symptoms and feel normal.

The following symptoms and behavior problems may clue you in that your little one may benefit from seeing a mental health professional for a proper diagnosis:

• Self-harm or intentionally cutting, burning, or otherwise hurting oneself
• Unbridled rage or fits of anger
• Tremendous bouts of anxiety
• Prolonged irritability without apparent catalysts
• Extended and unresolved episodes of depression
• Trouble empathizing with others
• Reports of hearing or seeing things that aren’t there
• Substance abuse
• Inability to function normally (ie: attending class, participating in social engagements, carrying out every day tasks)
• Declining grades
• Body dysmorphic tendencies (believing one is much bigger or smaller than one is)

Peer Pressure: One of the unavoidable facets of growing up is peer pressure, which may encourage your teen to experiment with addictive substances.

Traumatic Experiences: Traumatic experiences occurring from birth to the teen age years may very well impact one’s mental health and overall well being. Some traumas may be left unexpressed, such as unreported cases of child molestation, domestic abuse, and substance abuse at home.

Most Treatment Centers Don’t Treat Adolescents— But We Do

Many drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers around the country aren’t well equipped to treat adolecents with substance use disorders.

Thankfully, our fully accredited treatment center, Safe Landing is here to fill in the gap!

Our programs include:

• Age appropriate group therapy to address deep-seated feelings of anger, depression,and trauma in a group environment— many teens forge lasting relationships with peers during recovery, making the recovery process feel less lonely.
• Relapse prevention education helps teens remain in control of their lives after the completion of treatment to prevent further abuse of addictive substances and re-admittance into rehabilitation.
• Teens are taught appropriate life skills and healthy coping mechanisms to deal with trouble some feelings which may have contributed to their initial self-medication.
• Our healthy relationship groups are designed to teach teens what a positively thriving relationship looks like. Teens learn to identify subtly abusive behaviors and are taught how to take action should they find themselves entangled in a dangerous relationship.

Treatment modalities include:  

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy(DBT)
• Expressive Arts Therapy
• 12 Steps
• Emotional Awareness and Trauma
•  Psychoeducational and Psychotherapy
• Anger Management
• Communication and Life Skills

It only takes one time to fatally overdose. Get your teen help today.

‍