Utah Adolescent Drug Rehab

The most commonly used drugs by adolescents are alcohol and tobacco. But, marijuana is considered a gateway drug that is accepted among teens but will often lead to experimentation with other drugs including cocaine and designer drugs such as Ecstasy. Even when young people don't have access to street drugs, they may have access to prescription drugs that are stored within the home such as sedatives and pain killers.

Adolescents become addicted to drugs by repeated use of the same class of substances such as uppers, downers, or hallucinogens. Eventually, the brain makes a transition from voluntary drug use to impulsive and compulsive use. Some factors that increase the risk of teen drug addiction in young people include traumatic experiences, physical or sexual abuse, environmental influences, lack of parental supervision, and having a genetic predisposition towards addictive behavior.

Abuse of prescription medications can be just as dangerous and just as lethal as illegal drug use. Teen addiction and fatal overdoses from opioid pain relievers that are crushed, snorted, or injected are on the rise in all populations. But, trends show young people are misusing prescribed drugs for conditions such as ADHD for the stimulant effect they have on the body. Parents should beware of any prescribed medications that offer a euphoric effect that can be misused for purposes other than prescribed.

Research has not shown a connection between adult substance abuse and the treatment of attention disorders in children and adolescents. Children that have taken stimulant medications for ADHD are no more or less likely to develop teen drug addictions when compared to those that were prescribed these medications. The real concern is the fact that children who do have ADHD symptoms are more likely to use illegal drugs to cope with the symptoms of the disorder and can go on to develop serious alcohol or drug abuse issues.

During the treatment and recovery process, parents can actively support their children by providing a good home structure and additional emotional support. It is also important for parents to provide the needed supervision as the adolescent moves through the early days of recovery and enforce household rules, discipline, and healthy boundaries. The family structure may temporarily change until a level of trust is developed with the recovering child. Also, parents should participate in all family therapy activities offered by the drug addiction rehab center.

It is crucial that all your child's medical professionals are made aware, so they can properly prescribe alternative medications with less potential for abuse. This can be accomplished at the point of care with proper medical screening and assessments. It may be a medical professional who spots the signs of drug addiction or relapse, and it is incumbent upon them to take the right steps for intervention. Finally, if your child needs a referral for drug addiction rehab, your primary care doctor can provide the necessary referral for an assessment and proper care

Yes, teen addiction to tobacco is no different from addiction to other substances. Nicotine is a drug that affects brain chemistry and will elicit a physical effect on the body. Common treatment approaches are similar to quitting other drugs, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and group counseling. Tobacco abuse has the added problem of being a widely available substance, and it can also be accompanied by other drug use.

When a child is assessed by a drug addiction rehab counselor, they may notice underlying mental, emotional, or physical impairments due to the use of heavy drugs and/or alcohol. These co-occurring disorders are typically handled by a professional. While there are medications to assist in the withdrawal from nicotine and other drugs, the decision on the best path forward is typically base on individual assessments.