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Adolescent and Addiction

Treating adolescent substance abuse not only involves treating the abusive behaviors, it also involves identifying other important aspects of their lives. For instance, behaviors, mental health and family problems which can be linked to substance use in adolescents.

Although we provide services for early intervention and substance use disorders, the information below can help identify if addiction is prevalent in an adolescent's life.

DRUGS OF TODAY

Alcohol    |   Marijuana   |   Prescription Drugs   |   Inhalants

Brain Development

An  adolescent's brain is not fully developed until about age 25. Therefore, when substance abuse begins at a young age, they are not capable of understanding fully the consequences to their actions. Heavy drug use may cause permanent changes in the way their brain will function. And as a cause to this effect, the adolescent can get stuck at the mental age in which they began using drugs/alcohol. For example, if a person is 25 and they started using alcohol/drugs at age 15, they have the mental capacity of a 15 year old. 

RWCC provides various levels of addiction / substance abuse treatments for adolescents and adults in an early intervention program and provides referrals to facilities that serve a higher level of care beyond early intervention or in-patient facilities.

Risk Factors

Increased mood swings, behavior problems such as temper tantrums that are prolonged, excessive aggression towards themselves and others, and acting impulsively by participating in high-risk activities have a greater chance of developing substance abuse problems compared to those that do not behave in this manner.

Risk Reducers

There are many things a parent can do to help guide their children into the dangers of substance abuse/addiction.

  1. Early Intervention

  2. Be Involved

  3. Open and Honest Communication

  4. Get Help

Early Signs

Change in school performance

  • Change in sports or extra curricular activities

  • Associating with a deviant peer group, getting into legal issues

  • Sleeping more or sleeping less than usual

  • Finding drug paraphernalia in their possession

  • Appetite changes (lack of eating, or over eating)

  • Smoking cigarettes

  • Red, watery, glassy eyes or runny nose not due to allergies or cold

  • Breaking rules at home, school and in the community

At RockWater, we are experienced and trained in assessing adolescents for substance abuse problems that coincide with identifying other underling behavioral problems that may be present.