Teenage Drug Abuse and Teenage Rehab

I'm Dr. Robert R. Perkinson        

I specialize in alcoholism treatment, drug abuse treatment, teen drug abuse treatment, and problem gambling treatment. I have been treating alcoholics and addicts for over 30 years and have written the leading treatment manual for addiction counselors in the world. I thought I would give you an opportunity to learn more about addiction.

The Chemically Dependent Adolescent

The tumultuous group of adolescents comprises 20% of the adolescent population. These adolescents come from family backgrounds that are not stable. There often are histories of mental illness in these families, the parents often have marital conflicts, and the families often have economic difficulties. The moods of these adolescents are not stable, and these individuals are more prone to depression. They have significantly more psychiatric disturbances, and they do well only with the aid of intense psychotherapy. They do not grow out of it (Masterson & Costello, 1980; Offer, 1986). It is in the tumultuous growth group that chemical dependency often develops.

In this country, the average first use of mood-altering chemicals for boys is 11.9 years and for girls is 12.7 years (U.S. Department of Justice, 1983). Adolescents almost always use alcohol or drugs for the first time under peer pressure. They want to be accepted and to be a part of the group. Children are likely to model after the chemical use of their parents. Children with alcoholic parents are at greater risk for becoming chemically dependent (Spalt, 1979).

Adolescents who continue to use will increase drinking to a regular pattern (usually weekends). They may experiment with other drugs. They begin to use drugs to communicate, to relate, and to belong. With regular drinking, tolerance develops. The adolescents need more of the drug to get intoxicated. Emotional changes may first be noticed here by their families. The adolescents may become irritable and more noncommunicative. They may begin to spend more time alone in their rooms. They may begin not caring for themselves or for others. Polarization of parents and children begins to occur (Morrison & Smith, 1990).

As chemical dependency further develops, adolescents no longer can trust themselves when using chemicals. The choice to use these drugs no longer is available to them; they have to use to feel normal. The continued use of chemicals eliminates the ability to think logically and rationally. Rationalization, minimization, and denial cut the adolescents off from reality (Soujanen, 1983).

Chemically dependent adolescents gradually change their peer group to include drinking and drug-using friends. They begin to use chemicals to block out the pain. They no longer use for the euphoric effect. They drink to escape pain. Blackouts and drinking alone are strong indicators of chemical dependency in the adolescent population. With the progression of the disease, family conflicts increase. The adolescents may run away, withdraw, or act out at home and at school. They withdraw from family and community activities. Problems with the police and school officials increase and become serious. The adolescents may become verbally abusive to parents and more rebellious to authority figures. Life begins to center around alcohol or drugs. Daily use begins, and these individuals begin to use to maintain rather than to escape. The adolescents make attempts to cut back or quit, but they are unable to stay clean and sober. Physical deterioration begins. Hiding and lying about drugs becomes more common. The adolescents feel more intensely isolated and alone. Concern is now openly expressed by parents, teachers, and even peers. Gradually, the adolescents lose all self-esteem and depression begins. Persistent chemical use leads to incarceration, institutionalization, or death (Chatlos & Jaffe, 1994; Morrison & Smith, 1990).

Chemical dependency halts emotional development. To develop normally, people must learn to use their feelings to give them energy and direction for problem solving. When feelings are consistently altered by alcohol or drugs, this no longer is possible. The major coping skill of chemically dependent persons is chemical use.

Adolescent chemical dependency can occur extremely quickly—within weeks—because these individuals’ emotional development is immature. Adolescents do not have the internal structure to bring themselves and their lives under control. They cannot delay the onset of chemical dependency for years as can adults.

Children believe that alcohol and drug use is safe. The average 18 year old has seen 100,000 television commercials encouraging him or her to drink. That's why 80% of high school seniors have tried alcohol, 32% have gotten drunk in the last thirty days, 43% smoke marijuana, and about one third are smoking cigarettes.

This is a national catastrophe!

If you think that you or someone you love has a problem with alcohol, drugs or gambling, the fact that you are reading this page is an incredible victory. It means you are thinking about getting help. Congratulations! An addict has only two choices get into recovery or die.

The first thing you need to do is see if there is an addiction problem. Answer these questions and be honest with yourself. You can answer the questions for yourself or the person you are concerned about. You have nothing to hide and nobody is going to know the results but you.

Has the person ever tried to cut down on his or her use?

Have people annoyed the person by talking to him or her about the use?

Has the person ever felt bad or guilty about his or her use?

Has the person ever used alcohol or drugs in the morning or broken the law to use?

Two or more of these questions answered yes indicates probable addiction. That means you are in trouble and you need help. Only 4% of addicts can quit on their own for the next year.

It is not just the addict who suffers. Everyone associated with an addicted person is under terrible stress. This will just get worse until you get into treatment.
If you or someone you love is addicted, you need to take action now! Don't let someone die because you stalled. I know you are afraid, but you don't have to be.

If you are an addict, or live with one, you are in great pain. Most addicts die of their addiction and they take their family members down with them. The first step in recovery is to get honest with yourself. Don't just sit there and think things are going to get better. Addiction doesn't get better. It gets worse until somebody dies. You need to take action and you need to take action now. The worst thing you can do is wait. How are you going to feel if this person kills someone in an accident or kills themselves? Don't let this happen to your family. It's time to get help. Call us for a free assessment at 1-800-992-1921. There is no obligation and you don't even have to tell us your name. We can help you get treatment in your area or we can help you come to our treatment center. We are a small treatment center where you won't get lost in the shuffle. We have a number of programs designed for specific populations such as duel diagnosis, cognitive deficits, gambling problems, a Christian program, an adolescent program, a young adult program, a Native American program and many more. We are very flexible about the cost of treatment. Most patients come into treatment at reduced rates. Many patients are state funded or come into treatment under Medicaid. If you are worried about the money, don't let that stop you. Money is the least of your worries. The money is not going to kill anyone and addiction kills everyone. Let us help you find a treatment you can afford. If you are an addict or if you live with one you are living in hell, you have no peace. Nothing you have tried works and you keep returning to the pain.

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