Being a parent to a teen user is extremely troubling. Prioritizing your teen’s well-being is already your biggest concern. If your child has a drug addiction, you may wonder where you went wrong. What can you do to find drug addiction help? Read on to find the answers you’re looking for.
Drug Addiction Help Starts with Understanding
Drug addiction is an illness. Like asthma or cancer, your child’s addiction is not your fault. Teens are extremely susceptible to substance abuse because of underdevelopment and life stressors. More and more teens are experimenting with drugs than ever before, which is risky. Most teens begin using because of:
- Stress from school, relationships, family or friends: There’s more for a high schooler to be stressed about than ever before, from getting into a good college, to school shootings, to health-related concerns. As a result, many teens turn to drugs and alcohol to cope.
- The desire to fit in: It’s the subject of many a teen drama. For many teens, the desire to fit in may overwhelm their good sense. As a result, if their friends are drinking or using drugs, your teen may also begin using drugs to fit in.
- Symptoms of mental illness: Mental illness is a common cause of addiction. A person cannot cope with their mental health problems, so they try to self-medicate using drugs or alcohol.
- Desired attention: With more people in the workforce, many families don’t spend time together anymore. According to a recent study, most American families spend about 37 minutes together each day. As a result, your teen may feel that they have to act out to get attention.
- A need to escape: If your teen is stressed out from school, dealing with relationship struggles, and juggling a job, they may feel like all they want to do is escape. Drugs and alcohol may be an “easy way” to do that.
Environmental factors likely led to your teen’s substance abuse problem. However, until your teen enters treatment, receiving a full assessment, understanding the cause of an addiction is difficult. No matter what, there is always a way for your teen to reach successful recovery.
Drug Addiction Help for Teens
When attending drug addiction treatment, your teen will be surrounded by peers. Studies show that young people are more likely to stay sober in peer groups. It’s difficult for young people to relate to older people, which can hinder recovery. By being surrounded by peers, your teen won’t feel alone in their struggles.
Group therapy sessions will allow your teen to open up without fear of judgment. Each person in the group has experienced similar thoughts, feelings, and difficulties. Individual therapy helps as well, and treatment professionals provide a safe place. Your teen’s ability to share without fear is crucial to successful recovery.
Get Help Before It’s Too Late
At Memphis Recovery, we dedicate ourselves to getting your teen drug addiction help. We provide a variety of addiction treatments, including:
Memphis Recovery provides a youth treatment program specifically designed for teens. We can help your child begin a new life today. Addiction is a progressive illness, so the sooner you get help, the better the chances of lifelong sobriety. Give us a call today at 901-272-7751 to learn more about our residential and IOP program.
