Teenage substance abuse can be distressing and difficult for parents to understand what their teen is going through. Counseling is an essential component both during treatment and as part of an effective aftercare plan.

Substance abuse counseling not only helps teens with their recovery but can provide them with skills to increase their quality of life and boost emotional wellness. Explore the benefits of substance abuse counseling for teens and how it can benefit their mental health.

Substance Abuse in Teens Statistics  

Teenage substance abuse is a widespread public health problem that affects teens as young as 12. Teens are at a naturally increased risk of drug & alcohol use due to vulnerable brain development. Regions that control reasoning skills and pleasure are still forming. This can make teens more curious or impulsive when it comes to using drugs.

The US has some of the highest rates of teen drug use on the globe. Alcohol and marijuana use are by far the most popular. This may be due to their easy accessibility and portrayal in the media.

●    35.2% of teens report using marijuana in the past year

●    Over 429,000 12-17-year-olds meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder

While not as popular as alcohol or cannabis, illicit drugs are also being used by teens. Reports show that the overdose rate among 15-24-year-olds has increased by 500% over the last two decades. Many of these are associated with opioid use disorder.

Causes of Teen Substance Abuse

The causes of drug use in teens can vary from one kid to the next. During treatment, counselors will explore the roots that drive your teen’s addiction. Factors that can increase the risk of teen substance abuse include:

 Biological

●    Genetics

●    Hormones

●    Chronic Illness

●    Medical injury or chronic pain

●    Age

●    Sex/gender

●    Ethnicity

 Psychological

●    Family history of drug use

●    Trauma

●    Anxiety

●    Depression

●    Learning disorders

●    ADHD

●    Personality disorders

●    Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

Social

●    Academic stress

●    Peer influence

●    Media

●    Growing up in a community with high drug use

●    Being a victim of bullying

●    Teen curiosity

Warning Signs

Sometimes the warning signs for teenage substance abuse can be tricky to spot. Symptoms can mimic other mental or physical health disorders. It’s important for parents to be mindful of the red flags of substance abuse in their teens to provide proper intervention & support.

●    Finding drugs or alcohol in their room

●    Visibly drunk or high

●    Irritability or aggression

●    Slurred or rapid speech that’s difficult to follow

●    Odd or erratic behavior

●    Social isolation

●    Sudden decline in academics

●    Depression

●    Anxiety

●    Frequent flu-like symptoms

●    Stomach problems or headaches

●    Sudden academic decline

Benefits of Substance Abuse Counseling

Substance abuse counseling is recommended as an essential treatment for teens experiencing drug & alcohol abuse. It can be distressing for both parents and teens to make an informed decision before entering therapy. Understand the life-saving benefits of how substance abuse counseling can support your teen with their long-term recovery.

Learn Coping Skills

Counseling teaches teens positive coping skills to support their mental health, reduce stress, and boost their emotional wellness. For teens struggling with substance abuse, coping skills are essential to learn for reducing cravings and finding new outlets to channel energy. Some coping skills can also provide a distraction from using drugs or alcohol.  

Common coping skills teens may learn from their sessions include:

●     Emotional identification

●     Problem-solving

●     Mindfulness

●     Deep breathing exercises

●     Body scanning

●     Meditation

●    Positive self-talk

●    Distress tolerance

Build New Perspectives

Teens will build higher levels of self-awareness and focus on breaking negative thinking patterns that drive their substance use. Counselors will help teens through cognitive restructuring identify how their thoughts & feelings drive certain behaviors.

Strengthen Relationships

Drug abuse can strain relationships and make it difficult for teens to form connections. Counseling can teach teens conflict resolution and how to effectively repair any damaged relationships. This is done through individual counseling and sometimes family therapy.

Develop Boundaries

Teens in active addiction may struggle with codependency or building effective boundaries. Boundaries can help teens with their self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and communication skills. For teens with substance abuse, boundaries can help teens learn how to say no and have more self-control around their drug & alcohol use.  

Relapse Prevention

Substance abuse counseling is an essential part of an effective aftercare & transition plan. If your teen enters an inpatient program, their healing doesn’t end when they exit. Counseling can help teens continue implementing the skills they learn in treatment and integrate themselves into their community.

Set Goals

An effective skill teens will learn in counseling is how to set goals and make a process to meet those goals. These goals will be related to treatment & recovery, but can also be applied as they transition back to normal life. Counselors can help teens explore their goals for school, friendships or even encouragement to get involved with a new activity.

Private Space to Speak

Teens can feel confident that they are able to freely speak and that their privacy will be respected. Unless there is a serious threat of danger to the teen or someone in their lives, counselors will keep sessions confidential. This can be helpful for teens who struggle with trust and don’t feel comfortable sharing their inner feelings with parents or adults in their lives.

Feel Understood

Sometimes teens may feel misunderstood by the people in their lives, particularly if they are struggling with substance abuse or mental health problems. Counseling can be a safe way for teens to feel heard, respected, validated, and understood. This can help them build more trust and open lines of communication that they can integrate into relationships outside of treatment.

Florida Counseling for Teens

Our addiction treatment programs at Lotus Behavioral Health are designed to support teens and their families with the tools they need to recover from substance abuse & co-occurring mental health disorders. We provide supervised care at our Florida residential treatment center or flexible outpatient services to meet teens & their families at all stages of recovery.

Sources

Drug Use Among Youth: Facts & Statistics. National Center for Drug Abuse