Facts Regarding Teen Drug Abuse and Addiction and Treatment in Houston

Teen Drug Abuse and Addiction

Most teenagers abuse drugs during parties as a common way for them to relax and feel more comfortable among others. Most teenagers start abusing drugs due to peer pressure but continue do so to escape from their difficulties. Using drugs as a teenager can lead to disastrous consequences. Using psychoactive substances alters the brain’s reward system when used in large amounts. When the brain is constantly exposed to “feel good” chemicals, it stops making more of them when it encounters a scenario that would normally elicit such a reaction. Adolescence is a transition period, and it’s natural for kids’ interests and priorities to shift. However, when individuals add the effects of severe drug abuse to that, it may be much more challenging to navigate the rest of their life while sober.

How Does Teen Drug Abuse and Addiction Start?

Alcohol and drug addiction is a common problem among teenagers of all socioeconomic backgrounds. This is because teenagers from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds are subject to the same influences that lead them to experiment with drugs. Teenage drug abuse is strongly linked to social pressure. Friends or classmates persuade others to use drugs by saying they’ve experimented with them before and aren’t hooked. In addition, teenagers see other kids their age taking drugs in media such as television and film, believing this is normal. Repeated drug abuse, however, can transform a user’s initial positive experience with the substance into destructive drug addiction.

Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse 

Drug addiction manifests itself in a variety of ways, but here are a few signs that your teen may be abusing drugs:

• Low energy levels.
• Legal issues such as driving under the influence, theft, etc.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
• Issues at school, such as low performance, expulsion, etc.
• Mood outbursts.
• Disinterest in previously enjoyed activities.
• Drug paraphernalia

Causes of Teenage Drug Abuse

Substance abuse is dangerous, yet many teenagers don’t realize it. Some of the factors that increase teenagers’ vulnerability to abusing drugs include:

• Childhood trauma.
• Substance abuse in the family.
• Peer pressure.
• Stress from school. 
• Low self-esteem
• A lack of adult supervision.
• Going through transitions such as puberty, relocating, etc.
• Mental health illnesses.

Talk To Your Teenager About Seeking Effective Drug Addiction Treatment at Mallard Lake Detox Center in Houston, Texas

Helping your teenager deal with his drug and alcohol addiction begins with an understanding that the adolescent brain is uniquely vulnerable to drug dependence and much less able to withstand the desire to take drugs.

Getting your teenager into a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program is crucial. While it’s essential to set limits, it won’t help if you take away your teen’s phone and forbid them to hang out with the people you blame for their drug abuse. Your teenager needs assistance from an addiction treatment program that addresses all the aspects of a person rather than just their drug addiction. The success of your teenager’s addiction therapy relies heavily on your support, understanding, and active involvement. Mallard Lake Detox Center offers a special kind of individualized addiction treatment to young boys and girls in Houston, Texas. Call Mallard Lake Center today for any queries regarding our teenage drug addiction treatment.