Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Across the United States, many families struggle with adolescent alcohol and other drug use or misuse. Even though it is illegal for anyone in the U.S. under age 21 to buy or be caught with alcohol or illegal drugs, many teens are still using. Teen drug and alcohol abuse is common among teens unfortunately. The most common drugs teens report using include alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, marijuana, and pills that were not prescribed to them. Other less used drugs include opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, hallucinogens, depressants, inhalants, club drugs, and performance enhancing drugs.

Teenagers and young adults get involved with alcohol and drugs for many reasons. Some reasons include curiosity, peer pressure, acceptance, defiance, a call for help, boredom, independence, or pleasure. The first few instances of drug use may be fun, but the behavior can quickly turn into substance abuse and addiction, and ultimately may necessitate an intervention or even rehab. All substance use by teens should be regarded as dangerous, not only because of the risk of dependency but because teen addicts put themselves in harm’s way.

The Negative Effects of Drugs and Substance Abuse

The negative effects of drugs and substance abuse are critically underrated. Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age has negative health effects. While some teens will experiment and stop, or continue to use occasionally, without significant problems. Others will develop a dependency, moving on to more dangerous drugs and causing significant harm to themselves and possibly others. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems, which is why the first signs of alcohol and/or drug use in teens must be taken seriously.

A free consultation with a substance abuse professional may reveal the answers that are currently hidden from your view. Contact Therapy Insider today to speak to one of our professionals. Our Therapy Insider professionals specialize in the placement of teens that suffer from drug and substance abuse into treatment programs that will best suit their needs and the needs of their families.

To read more about the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment for addiction (whether a substance addiction or a behavioral addiction); see our about addiction page.