As a parent, you know that worrying about your child is a full-time job. As they grow to teenagehood, you worry incessantly about the new risks they may experience or behaviours they may adopt. One such risk is substance abuse.
Talking with your teenagers about such risks can help them make better decisions or stand their ground when facing peer pressure. However, finding out early that your child is abusing drugs can allow you to get help by enrolling them in an addiction treatment program to minimise the risks associated with long-term substance abuse.
The primary reason why teens use drugs is to cope with mental health problems like depression or fit in with their peers. Also, it may be to get a temporary feeling of pleasure and happiness. Here are the five most common types of drug addictions among teens.
Heroin Addiction
NIDA shows that 0.2% of 8th graders, 0.4% of 12th graders, and 0.3% of 10th graders have used heroin. Most teens disapprove of its use and view it as a dangerous drug. However, statistics show that over 50% of teens who abuse heroin start by abusing prescription pills. They turn to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to obtain than prescription pills.
Cocaine Addiction
A NIDA survey shows that 2.3% of 12th graders, 1.5% of 19th graders, and 0.8% of 8th graders have used cocaine. These statistics are less than those for marijuana abuse because cocaine is not readily available like marijuana. Although most teens disapprove of using cocaine, some combine it with alcohol to help them drink more.
Prescription Pills Addiction
According to statistics, at least 20% of teens have used prescription pills without a prescription. Narcotic painkillers like oxycontin and Vicodin are the most abused pills. In addition, 3.4% of 12th graders have used prescription drugs, commonly used with alcohol and marijuana.
Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances by adolescents. According to statistics, about two-thirds of teenagers will have tried alcohol by the 12th grade. It is illegal for children under 21 years to use alcohol. However, research shows that teens between 12 and 20 years consume approximately a tenth of all the alcohol consumed in the US, increasing the need for more addiction centre programs to address the issue.
Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana is commonly used for the high it causes. At least 6% of students in the 12th grade, 0.7% of 8th graders, and 3.4% of 10th graders use marijuana daily. Marijuana is easy to obtain, making it popular among teens. However, the rate of marijuana use has declined despite its legalisation in some states.
Conclusion
According to research, the number of teen drug use is declining. However, teens may feel the need to experiment with drugs for different reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to keep tabs on the health and life of your teen to notice any signs that can point to an underlying drug problem and get help from an addiction treatment program immediately.