Substance Abuse Among Teens – What Parents Should Know

If you have a pre-teen or a teenager, you need to know the facts about teenage drug abuse. As a parent, you can help teach kids to say no, but you also must be aware that your teen will be offered drugs or alcohol before they graduate from high school – and in many cases, much earlier than that.

Quick Facts

According to the CDC, cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana are the substances teens use most commonly.

By the time they are in 12th grade, most teens will have been offered or tried harder drugs (including prescription narcotics).

A teen that begins using drugs early has a higher chance of having substance abuse problems in the future.

The fact is, most teenagers will be exposed to drugs. Some may use drugs and not have a problem, but others use and become addicts at an early age. As much as society and parents tell teenagers about the perils of addiction, they may feel invincible and use anyway. If that happens, and your teenager needs help getting off drugs, Breakthrough Recovery Outreach has two locations in Atlanta, GA, that can help them get back on track.

Breakthrough Recovery Outreach is especially dedicated to providing drug rehabilitation for teenagers. Helping teens find recovery early can save them from a lifetime of addiction and can save lives – and at Breakthrough Recovery Outreach, we are passionate about saving lives.

Warning Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse

When teens begin using drugs, their behavior patterns change. Some behavior changes to watch for are listed below:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Sudden drop in grades or missing school
• Isolating themselves, changing friends, or avoiding family events
• Poor hygiene
• Getting into trouble with the law or with people in authority
• Appetite changes
• Manipulative or defiant behavior
• Change in sleep habits (sleeping too much or too little)
• Lack of coordination

For a complete list of warning signs, read this detailed article provided by Drugabuse.com. If you are a teen worried about a friend, or a parent worried about a teenager, understanding these warning signs can help you decide if your loved one needs help. If they do, you can take the next step, and seek help. Breakthrough Recovery Outreach in Atlanta, GA, offers hope and help to addicted teens and their families.

Breakthrough Recovery Outreach’s Adolescent Programs

The Adolescent Program at Breakthrough Recovery Outreach in Atlanta, GA, is tailored to meet the specific needs of teenagers. It is highly structured, includes time for school work, and is run by licensed therapists, psychiatrists, counselors, medical doctors, and nurses – all augmented by residential program managers.

For teens in Breakthrough’s residential addiction recovery treatment, the day is filled with activities that focus on whole-body wellness. Our program includes recreation, 12-step meetings, and education. Also, treatment is tailored to the teen and includes important behavior modification modalities, like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Breakthrough Recovery Outreach has two treatment facilities in Atlanta, GA. Both offer residential treatment for teen addiction. For teens that are aged 14-17 we also offer an Evening Intensive Outpatient Program (EIOP) which has been designed to help teens struggling with addiction sustain and maintain their recovery.

Learn more about Breakthrough Recovery Outreach’s Adolescent Programs for teens facing addiction here.

Let’s Work Together To Overcome Teenage Addiction

We know that teenage addiction impacts every member of the family. Chris Jacobs has experience working with hundreds of parents and addicted teens. He and his team at Breakthrough Recovery Outreach know that teenage substance abuse can be heartbreaking, and can test the limits of family, faith, and hope. But, Mr. Jacobs has given hope a home at Breakthrough Recovery Outreach – not only because he wants to help teens overcome addiction, but because he has seen teens and their families recover.

If you are worried about a teenager that you suspect has a problem with drugs in Atlanta, GA, let’s work together. Join our team of families and teens who have looked into the darkness, walked through it, and come out the other side. Let’s team up to prioritize teens and teach them about the power and promise that a drug-free future holds.

Fill out the contact form below and a member of our team will get in touch with you.