Teen Drug Abuse: Facts, Treatments & Prevention

In December 2015, the National Institute on Drug Abuse released the results from the "2015 Monitoring the Future" survey. The questionnaire looks into drug use in teens in 8th, 10th and 12th grades. The findings show a decrease in use of synthetic marijuana, alcohol, prescription pain relievers and cigarettes. However, marijuana and other drug use remained the same. Why is preventing and treating teen drug abuse so important? Using illegal or legal substances in unlawful, unhealthy ways can cause major brain damage that greatly alters a person's cognition and overall functioning. 

Teenagers may abuse prescription drugs because they can be more readily purchased than illegal substances.

Teen Drug Abuse Facts

Drug abuse is particularly harmful to teens because their brains are still developing. Taking drugs can limit the potential for growth in this important stage. Not only that, but drug abuse in youth can lead to addiction and dependence, concentration and memory issues, unsafe sex and impaired driving. Drugs can also increase a teen's likelihood of having potentially life-threatening health problems like organ damage, psychotic behavior or heart failure. 

The MTF survey notes that  6 percent of students in 12th grade use marijuana on a daily basis, higher than the 5.5 percent who smoke tobacco cigarettes. While heroin use is down to just 0.3 percent for 8th graders and 0.5 percent for 10th and 12th graders, the abuse of prescriptions for ADHD such as Adderall is still high at 7.5 percent among high school seniors. 

It's important to note that drug abuse does not only mean using illegal substances.

Misuse of prescriptions like painkillers or amphetamines is common, and it's often much easier to get a hold of these drugs than other manufactured illicit substances like methamphetamine or MDMA. Familiarize yourself with some of the common drugs that teenagers may be using by visiting NIDA for Teens. Here you'll find information on what substances are trending, how they're used and what paraphernalia may be associated with each.

Drugs and the Teen Brain
The cells in a teenagers brain are constantly communicating. They send important messages like "breathe" or "move your left leg forward" that control daily functions necessary to survive. When a person injects, eats, smokes, inhales or otherwise introduces drugs to the body, these messages are interrupted. A teen who has smoked marijuana, for instance, may find him or herself easily distracted and unable to focus. Cannabis activates nerve cells that then send unusual messages throughout the brain. The teen may hallucinate, for example. Drugs like cocaine, weed and nicotine trick the brain into releasing large amounts of dopamine. This makes people feel "high" and causes feelings of euphoria, excitement and pleasure. When a person frequently uses drugs, the brain adjusts to these intense amounts of dopamine and requires increasing doses of the illicit substance to have the same effect. This is a large part of why drugs are addictive and can lead to neuron die-off which causes brain damage.

Potential Risk Factors
There are many factors that can add up to a teen becoming addicted to drugs. Because of their youth, many adolescents don't think of the consequences of their actions and instead believe nothing bad could happen to them. Other possible contributing factors include the following:

• Being friends with people who use illicit substances
• Feeling low about themselves
• Having limited social skills or interactions
• Not doing well in school or athletics
• Growing up in a household with people who used drugs
• Having experienced trauma such as death, an accident or abuse
• Mental or emotional conditions such as bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety
• Living with parents or caregivers that are not nurturing
• Experiencing stressful situations like divorcing parents or moving

A person's risk factors change throughout his or her life as he or she has different experiences. Where and with whom someone lives can greatly affect a person's likelihood to abuse or become addicted to drugs. 

Symptoms of Drug Abuse in Teenagers
About half of all new drug users are younger than 18 years old. Because many teens live with parents or caregivers during this time, it's important for these individuals to keep an eye out for potential drug abuse. There are some signs to look for that may indicate your teen is using illegal substances: 

• Secretive behavior such as not sharing where they are going or who they'll be with
• Not being interested in activities and hobbies that used to bring them joy
• Being particularly tired or hungry
• Smelling like smoke or emitting a chemical odor
• Not paying attention to their appearance or hygiene habits
• Coming home after curfew or being out later than usual
• Making a point to avoid eye contact due to bloodshot eyes
• Earning grades below their usual standards
• Being extra possessive of their belongings or bedroom

Not every teen who exhibits the symptoms above is doing drugs. If you suspect your children are possibly using, talk with them. Instead of yelling accusations, ask what is going on and they may open up to you. 

Treating Teen Substance Abuse

If you believe your teen has a drug problem and needs help, talk to a doctor. If the teen has a primary care physician, take him or her in for a checkup. Share that you are concerned about drug use, and the health care provider can offer some options.

He or she may suggest seeing a drug counselor, psychiatrist or therapist or attending a drug treatment program. Depending on your child's drug of choice and frequency of use, an in-patient program may be the best bet. Here, your son or daughter will receive round-the-clock care during a detox period and for several days or weeks afterwards.

These programs consist of medical monitoring, talk therapy and other group activities where individuals in similar situations can share their experiences and feelings to gain a sense that they are not alone. Out-patient programs include similar therapy and monitoring, but your child will be allowed to return home to sleep, attend school or even work. The first step to treating teen drug abuse is knowing that the youth has a problem, so watch for symptoms that your child may be using and don't hesitate to talk to him or her if you are concerned.

Preventing Drug Abuse in Teens  

Parents and caregivers have a unique opportunity to discourage teens from using drugs. Since you know your children well, you can keep an eye out for potential clues they may be using drugs, and can talk with them and explain why using illicit substances isn't a good idea.

Keep Teens Away from Drugs
Most teenagers who abuse prescription drugs get them from their friends or family members. However, NIDA also noted that one-third of 8th, 10th and 12th graders who partook in the MTF survey said their drug of choice is something they were prescribed. Misuse of amphetamines such as Adderall can still occur even if a teen's doctor has prescribed the drug. To prevent this from happening, have regular visits with your adolescent's physician to be sure the dosage and medication is working correctly and not overprescribed. Also keep an eye on any prescriptions in your home that do not belong to the teenager. Opioids, stimulants and depressants can all be tempting to a teen who is looking to get high. There are even some over-the-counter medications to watch out for, like cough and allergy medicines. You don't have to count every pill or mark the bottle where the liquid lines is, just be aware if the drugs seem to be getting used up quickly or are going missing.

Know Your Teen's Whereabouts and Friends
It's also key to know where your teenager is going and who they're hanging out with. Secretive behavior like hiding these facts may indicate drug use.

Ask your kids where they're going and how long they'll be gone. If they start spending time with individuals you are not familiar with, consider having a gathering at your home to get to know them a little. You'll feel better when you meet the new friends and can get a feel for how they act and what they're interested in. 

Discuss Your Experiences
Many teens will at some point ask their parents or caregivers if they have ever tried drugs. There is no point in lying, so be sure you're ready to talk about your experiences. If you've tried drugs or even were once an addict, what you've learned may be beneficial to helping your children stay away from drugs. If you prefer not to share, consider talking about someone you know who went through drug rehab or who was affected by the drug abuse of a family member. Discuss how it feels to watch someone you love make unhealthy choices and share the importance of developing ways to cope with negative emotions other than turning to drug abuse.

Create and Enforce Rules
Make sure your teenagers know drug abuse is not allowed in your household. Discuss situations in which your kids may encounter drug use and how they should react. Create rules about curfew, grades, riding in friends' cars and driving. For example, your children should never get in a vehicle with a driver who is on drugs. They should always be home at a specific time and let you know if something happens and they won't make it. If your teens are at a party where they spot someone using drugs, they should leave immediately to avoid potential peer pressure and not be associated with the individual if police become involved. Talk with your teens to create fair rules that forbid drug use or being around those who use.

Encourage Healthy Habits
Teens who turn to drugs are often bored. They have extra time on their hands and end up falling in with others who aren't busy. Your children don't need to have each moment of every day scheduled out, but regular hobbies and activities may decrease the likelihood that they will use drugs. Encourage your children to try after-school activities like clubs and sports. Teens who are old enough to have a job may benefit from working part time. They'll gain work experience and references, as well as insight into managing their own finances. Talk with your kids about budgeting so they know to save some of their money if possible. Working and committing to teams or groups promotes responsibility and takes up valuable time that your teenagers could otherwise be using to abuse drugs.