Adolescent Drug Abuse Therapy

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As children become teenagers and begin the transition into adulthood, they often want to push boundaries without consequence. For most teenagers, these years are the hardest of their life. Between pressure from friends at school and from their parents at home, they can come up with inappropriate ways to cope. These may involve using marijuana and cocaine and other types of drugs, and consuming alcohol.

teen with drug abuse

How to Identify Drug Abuse

Rebellion and distancing themselves is a way for teenagers to become independent. Because of this natural change in attitude and personality, it can be hard to identify symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse. Yet there are several physical, emotional, and social signs that can help. These include:

  • Changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia and hypersomnia
  • Changes in eating habits, weight gain, or weight loss
  • Paranoia and insistence on personal space and privacy
  • Sudden mood swings
  • Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability
  • Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and poor motor control

What You Can Do

If your teenager seems to be using drugs or alcohol, confrontation may only make the situation worse. This can leave you feeling helpless and lost. The best thing you can do for your child is to set up an appointment for drug and behavioral therapy. This allows your child to address the underlying issues at home, school, or their social life that cause them to seek something they can control. Therapy can help identify the problems they face and provide strategies to address them safely. It can help them cope with new problems that arise later in teenage and young adulthood.