Addiction to various substances, including drugs and alcohol, can develop at any age. Teens usually develop drug dependence or addiction under peer pressure or due to family history. However, there can be various more reasons for the same, including the following:
- To feel good, i.e. “high” and “euphoric”
- Live in the false belief of being a grown up or to be accepted by those who do
- Experiment and seek new experiences
- Seek temporary relief from stress
What may look like a harmless activity in the beginning can soon become a serious problem in the form of teen drug abuse and in certain cases, can even be fatal. At greater risk, are teens with self-esteem, emotional or mental health problems; ones who do not feel connected to or valued by their parents, and those whose family members have alcohol and drug problems.
Though illegal drug abuse may seem like the biggest threat to teenage users, it is not so in reality. Several reports have found that teens abuse both legal and illegal substances. When left unchecked or ignored for a long time, effects of alcohol and drugs on the teenage brain may be long-term, creating problems with memory and learning, and making them susceptible to suffer from various mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Additionally, addictive substances like drugs can increase the risk of disease, injury and suicide.
Given the amount of impact that drug addiction can have on teens, it becomes imperative to seek drug addiction treatment at the soonest possible. Adolescents and teens have different treatment needs and might not seek treatment on their own. Therefore, drug treatment for teens involves a combination of evidence-based therapies and traditional therapies for treating their addiction.