Why teenagers use drugs

They see their parents and other adults drinking alcohol, smoking or vaping and sometimes, trying other substances. In their minds, they see drug use as a part of the normal teenage experience. For example, some teens abuse prescription medicine to manage stress or regulate their lives.

Others are abusing prescription pain relievers and tranquilizers to cope with academic, social or emotional stress. Not only do alcohol and marijuana give them something to do, but those substances help fill the internal void they feel. Further, they provide a common ground for interacting with like-minded teens, a way to instantly bond with a group of kids. Different rebellious teens choose different substances to use based on their personalities.

Alcohol is the drug of choice for the angry teenager because it frees them to behave aggressively. Some teens abuse prescription medicine to party and get high.

Hallucinogens ex. Smoking cigarettes can be a form of rebellion to flaunt their independence and make their parents angry. The reasons for teenage drug-use are as complex as teenagers themselves. Use a parent-teen contract to write down expected behaviors and consequences if the plan is not followed. Encourage activities. Keep your teen busy with meaningful activities, such as sports, church programs, or other group involvement. Teens who feel good about themselves are less likely to use alcohol and drugs.

Get informed. Learn about the substances commonly used by teens. Talk with a doctor. Find out how the drugs work, what their street names are, and what the signs of being under the influence are. Talk about personal and legal consequences Personal consequences. Explain that some behaviors, such as unsafe sex, can lead to consequences that last a lifetime. Talk about how the use of substances while trying to develop adult skills—graduating from high school, going to college, getting a job—can affect your teen's future.

Legal consequences. Remind your teen that it is illegal for teens to use any substances. Talk about the increased risk of car crashes, violence, and arrests because of substance use.

Change in appearance Less attention paid to dressing and grooming Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss Red and glassy eyes and frequent use of eyedrops and breath mints Change in behavior Decreased attendance and performance at school Loss of interest in school, sports, or other activities Newly developed secrecy, or deceptive or sneaky behavior Withdrawal from family and friends New friends and reluctance to introduce them Lying or stealing Change in attitude Disrespectful behavior A mood or attitude that is getting worse Lack of concern about the future Taking action Any use of alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs in childhood or the teen years is a problem, unless it turns out to be a one-time event.

When to See a Health Professional If you think that your teen is using alcohol or drugs, gather all the information you can before taking your teen to a health professional. Health professionals who can diagnose and treat substance use problems include: Medical doctors such as a family physician , general practitioner , pediatrician or psychiatrist.

A physician assistant. A nurse practitioner. Professional counseling for substance use problems, either individually or in a group setting, can be done by a: Psychiatrist. Social worker. Licensed mental health counselor. Tests If the health professional believes that your teen may have a substance use problem, he or she will ask about your child's medical history and will do a physical exam. Referral Your doctor may refer you to a professional who is experienced in teen alcohol and drug problems.

Early detection Ideally, when your child is in grade school, your doctor will begin asking about your child's attitudes toward alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Finding the Right Treatment for Your Teen You can help find the right treatment for your teen and help him or her succeed during and after treatment. Get the right treatment. Talk with a health professional about treatment options in your area. Adult programs don't meet the needs of teens.

They usually stress long-term health and relationship effects of substance use disorder, which is not a concern for teens. If your teen needs to be placed in an inpatient or outpatient program, look for a program with the features he or she needs. These may include a school program or opportunities for parental involvement.

Be involved in the treatment and aftercare program. Let your teen know that you support him or her. It may take a long time for your teen to reestablish trust, to be forgiven by you, and to forgive himself or herself.

Get help for your family. Talk with a health professional about help for you and your family. Your family members need to know that they did not cause the disease, but that their behavior can affect the disease.

Support groups such as Al-Anon and Alateen may be very helpful for family members. Help establish a direction. Having a sense of direction in life is important for your teen to remain drug-free.

Treatment usually includes help to identify talents and strengths. These can be used to find healthy interests, hobbies, and jobs. Treatment for level of use The type of treatment your teen gets will depend on how bad his or her substance problem is. If your teen has started experimenting with substances, education through a school or community program may be all he or she needs. Some schools have programs for students with alcohol and drug use problems that provide support and drug education.

Weekly use. If your teen is using a substance at least weekly, some form of treatment is usually needed. It's important to pay close attention to your teen's concerns, which may be related to emotional or self-esteem problems. Find activities that your teen can substitute for substance use. Treatment helps motivate the teen to stop using substances and to learn skills to refuse drugs in the future. Family counseling should also be a part of treatment.

Substance use disorder. Your teen will need treatment in a structured program and may need medical help for withdrawal symptoms. If your teen is physically dependent on heroin or another opioid, he or she may be referred to a methadone treatment program. These programs use the medicines methadone, buprenorphine , or antidepressants such as bupropion Wellbutrin to help people cope with the withdrawal symptoms caused by opioid use.

Tobacco use. Your teen can get help to quit and prevent serious health problems. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking. Types of programs There are several types of teen substance use treatment programs. Inpatient programs Inpatient programs are highly structured and closely supervised in a hospital or treatment center. The programs provide education and individual, family, and group counseling.

They are often based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Another type of inpatient program is the therapeutic community, which is not based in a hospital. Teens do a series of tasks with constant feedback from peers. These programs may last up to 2 years. Some teens choose to stay and work in the program after treatment.

Wilderness challenge programs combine a wilderness experience and some form of treatment. The goal is to help troubled teens communicate better with their families, control their anger, and build healthy relationships.

A variety of programs are available. Their quality varies greatly. They are expensive and tend to limit contact with parents. Talk with a health professional if you are considering sending your teen to one of these programs. Outpatient programs Outpatient programs range from very structured programs with psychotherapy and family therapy to drop-in centers. These programs require that the teen spend 8 hours or more during the day at the facility, but the teen is home at night.

Day treatment programs usually have the same features individual, group, and family counseling as inpatient programs. But day treatment normally costs less. Less intensive outpatient programs are designed for young people who do not need as much time in day treatment or to be in an around-the-clock treatment center. Treatment includes one-on-one or group counseling and family therapy.

Treatment in the teen's own community makes it easier for the family to be involved. What to do if your teen relapses Getting a teen to stop using alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs is only the first step.

Your teen is less likely to relapse if: The treatment program motivates him or her to stop using and to learn the skills to deal with drug cravings, high-risk situations, and relapse. Your teen can commit to being substance-free for 12 to 24 months. Your teen has or finds a healthy hobby or interest. Your teen gets treatment for other health problems he or she may have, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD , depression or long-term depressed mood dysthymia , post-traumatic stress disorder, or an anxiety disorder.

Your teen is involved in an aftercare program or case management. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with substance use disorders. American Cancer Society Child and teen tobacco use. Bukstein OG Adolescent substance abuse.

In BJ Sadock et al. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, Johnston LD, et al. Monitoring the Future national results on adolescent drug use: Overview of key findings, Shonkoff JP, et al.

The lifelong effects of early childhood adversity and toxic stress. American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 : e—e Stager MM Substance abuse. In RM Kliegman et al. Philadelphia: Saunders.

SMA Credits Current as of: June 29, Top of the page Next Section: Health Tools. Previous Section: References Top of the page. We have to have some insight into if, and how badly, this problem could progress. If you have just discovered your teen may have a drug problem, the first thing you should do is step back and analyze the situation. Have you found contraband in his or her room?

Have you learned that your teen is coming home past curfew, skipping school, or ignoring previous priorities? You must now ask questions.

Skip to content. The preeminent addiction treatment program for young men and women Turnbridge operates leading mental health and substance abuse treatment programs throughout Connecticut.

In attempt to fit in : Making friends and establishing oneself at school can be difficult for adolescents. The teenage years often come with many insecurities, low self-esteem, and fear of not being accepted.

To feel good : Many adolescents abuse drugs or alcohol to get high. They are looking for a thrill, an intensified feeling that they cannot obtain through simple pleasures like food or exercise.

This is where the addiction cycl e starts to kick in. Drugs interact with the way our brain produces, and the way our body experiences, pleasure. When drugs are used, the brain creates up to ten times the normal amount of dopamine and euphoria a person should experience. It is unnatural chemistry that takes place, but our brain remembers it. It craves it. To feel better : There is the desire to feel good and there is the need to feel better.

These are two very distinct entities when evaluating teen drug use.