Recent surveys of teens and young adults have turned up a startling new fact. More than one study finds most alcohol, drug abuse starts in teen years. Just when our young people should be getting educations and preparing for their lives, many are starting to abuse alcohol and drugs and risking addiction.
There are several situations that increase a teen’s risk for abusing drugs or alcohol. These are when:
- The young person is depressed
- He or she suffers from low self-esteem
- The young person manifests early signs of aggressive behavior
- He or she feels rejected socially
- Parents do not provide enough supervision or care
- The family suffers from poverty
- There are many drugs readily available, either in the home or close by
To prevent the situation where a survey finds most alcohol, drug abuse starts in teen years, as much as possible these risks should be prevented. The other way to reduce teen drug abuse is to educate the young on the serious problems that can result from substance abuse. When a teen sees his or her friends seeming to enjoy themselves or experience excitement or euphoria, this can look very attractive. Especially if he is bored or stressed by his experiences at home or at school.
The Right Time to Prevent Drug Abuse is Before Addiction Begins
Before a person is addicted, they have a much greater ability to set drugs down and walk away from them. If a person has just begun abusing alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, LSD or prescription drugs, if they can be inspired to leave them behind and create a healthy new life, this relieves the family of endless heartbreak and may even save that person’s life.
But young people so often keep their substance abuse habits secrets from family and school, and even from their sober friends. This is why a young person may change friends rather suddenly. If, for example, a young man associated with athletes and then gradually drops out of touch with them and begins to hang out with young people who are not doing very well in life, dress oddly and perhaps do not seem to care for themselves very well, there is a good chance that he has begun to abuse drugs. It is normal for the new drug user to seek out the company of people who are also abusing substances.
Drug Rehab Services Can Turn this Situation Around
When the young person is on a destructive path, it is likely that drug rehab services are going to be needed to put them back on a productive path. This is the service supplied every day by Narconon drug rehab services. In more than fifty centers around the world, Narconon centers help those who lost the battle with drugs to achieve productive, sober lives again.
Addiction is a terribly dangerous habit. Every day presents the risk of overdose death or accidental injury. Even if a person escapes this kind of harm, the addiction itself strips the individual of all self-esteem. He or she becomes someone who is able to harm loved ones and friends. The addicted person commits acts he or she never would have before.
Trust Narconon drug rehab services to provide a lasting sobriety for your loved one. In seven out of ten cases, Narconon graduates remain sober after they go home. Find out just how this alternative program that uses no drugs in treatment gets this result. Call 1-800-775-8750 today.
Resources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-drug-abuse/My01099
http://timetoact.drugfree.org/think-learn-risk-factors.html