Teenagers are more prone to addiction than adults. The most common drug of abuse among teenagers is marijuana, and the number of teens who smoke pot has increased in recent years. Other drugs that are popular with teenagers include alcohol, cocaine, prescription painkillers like oxycodone and heroin.
The best way for a teenager to recover from an addiction is by seeking professional help. Addiction treatment centers can be found all over the country. However, you must find one that specializes in treating adolescents because they offer resources specific to their age group.
Teenage specialized treatment resources include peer-to-peer counseling sessions and family therapy sessions where parents learn how to better support their child through recovery.
If you are not sure what type of addiction your teen may have or if you are clueless on how you can help them, here are a few areas:
- Stay close to them and make them feel loved: Regardless of the cause or kind of addiction, finding closure can be very effective in assisting addicts to recover from their illness. Most teenagers start to take drugs because they do not get enough love, attention, and supervision. Others do drugs to keep up the joneses.
However, attention from family and loved ones can be pivotal to assisting addicted teens.
- Get a counselor or a therapist to discuss their addiction problems:Whether one-on-one or in a group, talking to professionals like counselors and therapists is key. It has proven to be helpful in various addiction treatments.
- Rid them of anything that triggers their addiction: Another way to help them is to identify things that trigger their addiction and help them do away with it. Common triggers include places, friends, memories, and family members who take drugs as well.
- Educate them on the ills of addiction: Teens often do things out of curiosity and following the latest without having a hint of the consequences that may come thereafter. Parents and Guardians should ensure that their teens understand the effects that drugs can have on their physical and mental health.