Can Sports Injuries Lead to Heroin Addiction in Teens?
Written by Elevations RTC, Posted on
Prescription Pain Killers Have Serious Risks
Teen drug use is a very serious problem, and prescription drug abuse is one area that is growing at an alarmingly fast rate. Unfortunately, this trend is very hard to combat due to the initial source of the drugs being medical professionals. For example, if a teen is injured during high school athletics, most parents wouldn't hesitate to take them to a doctor. Then, they wouldn't hesitate to fill a pain killer prescription, if that is what the doctor recommended. What these parents don't realize is how fast a teenager can get addicted to these dangerous drugs.
Once the prescription runs out, many teens have been known to turn to illicit sources to fund their quickly growing habit. This same pattern is taking place across the country, and the trend will be hard to reverse until we acknowledge the inherent dangerous of prescription pain killers.
Heroin Use Is Rising In Teens
Once a teen is hooked on prescription pain killers, they will often quickly spend all the money they have available getting their fix. However, because these drugs are very expensive compared to other street drugs they generally eventually turn to these cheaper options. The drug they usually end up hooked on in this situation is heroin. Though much more dangerous, it provides a similar high to pain killers and can cost significantly less. This is the slippery slope that has forced thousands of teenagers into heroin and other addictions.
How Can You Help Your Teen Overcome Their Addiction?
The lesson parents need to take away from this is how closely they should watch their teen if they are given a prescription for addictive drugs. Don't simply trust your son or daughter not to get hooked. Make sure they are using the prescription in a responsible way and never exceeding the recommended dosage. Educate your teens about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Always be open to questions.
If you suspect your teen is becoming addicted to prescription drugs, or notice unhealthy behavior, immediately seek help.
Elevations RTC is a program that specializes in both therapy and excellent academics for teens. To find out more, call us at (855) 290-9681.
