Teen drug use is on the rise. With many teens and adolescents turning to substances to cope with the pressures of being young. They may be peer pressured to abuse drugs, or they may be growing up in an environment where drug use is normalized. Drug abuse at a young age can have many negative effects, especially on the mind and body. It can also impact the relationship a teen has with themselves and others. Teens don’t often understand the entirety of the risks associated with drug use, resulting in a very dangerous situation.
Teen Drug Use Statistics
To understand the rising epidemic of teen drug use, we must be aware of the rates in which adolescents are abusing substances. 50% of teens have abused a drug at least once in their life. By the time a teen is in their senior year of high school, over 45% of them will have tried an illicit drug.
According to data from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics in 2023, nearly 600,000 teens ages 12-17 reported using a drug other than marijuana, and 83% of teens reported using marijuana within the last month when the study was conducted.
When it comes to the mortality rates of teen drug use, the numbers are devastating. Over 11.2% of overdose deaths occur in young adults aged 15 to 24. That amounts to around 5,000 adolescent and young adult overdoses per year. 788,000 teens meet the criteria for substance use disorder before they reach the age of 18.
Teen drug use is not something that should be taken lightly. Drug use amongst 8th graders increased by 61% between 2016 and 2020 – and is only becoming more common in more recent years. This data does not even take into account alcohol abuse by teens, which is just as dangerous to their developing minds.
The Impact of Drug Use
Teen drug use impacts their lives in many ways. Not only does it slow and alter the development in the brain – which can result in underdevelopment – but it also impacts the physical health of teens. Signs of drug use in teens include:
- Irregular behavior
- Irritability
- Physical changes such as weight loss
- Dental issues
- Lack of brain function
- Co-occurring mental health conditions
- Secretive behavior
- Lack of social skill
- Academic underperformance
Recognizing ways teen drug use may be affecting an individual is crucial for rapid response and early intervention that could save their life. Young minds are vulnerable, and they should be protected against drugs as much as possible.
Where Do We Go From Here?
To combat teen drug use, there must be early intervention. At Solution Based Treatment we offer intensive outpatient mental health treatment for teens that gets to the root cause of substance use disorder. We help teens become stabilized through different therapy methods and medication management. Our program takes place on weekday evenings, allowing teens to live at home and remain active in their school and community throughout treatment. In the program, they will learn ways to cope outside of drug use and will build the necessary skill needed to say no to drugs.
If you have a teen that is exhibiting signs of drug use, don’t wait until it becomes an emergency. Help them get the care and support they need to make a full recovery and lead a happy, healthy life. Give the team at Solution Based Treatment a call today.
About Solution Based Treatment
Solution Based Treatment is a national leader in detox and rehab programs. We offer inpatient medical detox, substance rehab, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, faith-based recovery, and sober living options. We maintain a 2:1 client to staff ratio to offer the best support possible to our patients within upscale living environments. At Solution Based Treatment, we support better living for brighter futures, all starting with our detox and rehab services. For more information visit our website at solutionbasedtreatment.com or give us a call at (833) 999-1941.