For most of us, it is quite daunting to think about . The statistics reveal that majority of teenagers have been involved in at least some type of drug use even prior to their high school education. The younger the child is when they begin testing and experimenting with drugs, the higher the chance is that they become addicted and end up in some type of drug rehab facility.

Parents should be the front line in any move to combat drug addiction among teens and they can do so much to prevent their teen’s involvement in any type of harmful drug. But this does not happen in most of the cases. Parents are considered to be the most important people in a child’s life and they look up to them as role models. If parents abuse drugs, teens are likely to abuse drugs, too. If they become irresponsible there is a great probability that their teen will be like them also.

The teenage years are inclined to be a period of great emotional turmoil as it is the transition from childhood to adulthood. As they undergo this crucial stage in their lives, a lot of issues such as peer pressure, search for identity, romantic and family relationships as well as school performance beset them. It becomes a common option for teenagers to resort to drug abuse to get rid of such issues. Teen drug abuse has actually become a prevalent phenomenon. Statistics reveal that majority of deaths in individuals in the 15-24 age bracket are attributed to alcohol or drug abuse. Likewise, criminal acts committed by teens can be accounted for by as well.

Parents should be on the lookout for physical signs like red eyes, nagging cough, irregularities in eating and sleeping habits. They should be suspicious when their teens start to have a change in their behavior and attitudes.  Deteriorating school performance, becoming irritable and aloof to family members are also warning signs. They tend to suffer from anxiety or panic attacks, chronic bronchitis and chest colds, paranoia, hypothermia, muscle tension and many more. Teen drug abuse can ruin personal and family relations and can be a harrowing problem to parents.

It is essential that drug abuse by a teenager be prevented by providing emotional security, guidance and education by the family. It is also wise to seek advice and assistance from professionals who are equipped with the needed expertise to provide guidance counsel and treatment to your teen.

.

Adolescent rehab programs in the US have stated that drug and alcohol abuse among adolescents is a real problem that should be confronted. One of the prominent teen rehab in Pennsylvania states that parents have a huge responsibility to ensure that their kids are not being induced by drugs.  They should not be harsh with their kids but at the same time, they shouldn’t be too lenient and maintain a watchful eye because this phase of life can be quite vulnerable and be the base of how he or she would be as an adult.

The teen drug abuse statistics are alarming to say the least; just goes to show where the future of this country is heading thanks to the callous attitude adopted by adults and the open culture existence perpetrated by the media and the Internet.  In the US, there are about 3,500 teenagers who smoke every day. Nearly 27 percent of teenagers have confessed to abusing any one drug in the year 2004.  The drug that is most abused in this age group is Marijuana. Teenagers who socialize and frequent parties are known to abuse the Club Drug ‘Ecstasy’. A survey of 10th graders four years back showed that 15 percent used Marijuana, 13 percent of them used inhalants and 6 percent used a club drug

Why do teenagers abuse drugs? According to the reports put forwarded by teen treatment centers that have examined this situation and treated many youngsters, peer pressure and lack of confidence are the biggest reasons.  When a fellow teenager boasts about taking drugs and seducing a girl in his class, or when a group of drug-struck teenagers talk about the ‘highs ‘that they get by taking drugs, an impressionable teenager develops the interest in trying it out and that’s where the trouble starts brewing

Drugs are known to have dangerous effects that can harm a person’s physical and mental development. For one, it can harm the teen’s ability to absorb information and pay attention. Teenagers who have drugs are more likely to indulge in unprotected sex and even have physical relationships with a complete stranger. Teenagers who abuse drugs are usually the ones who are getting into this bad habit from a young age and if the person does not stop his or her addiction, it can be very difficult to get rid of this problem and even when treated, there are chances of relapse when quitting the drug addiction.

Anabolic steroids cause a lot of sexual problems in both the sexes. The reproductive organs are not developed properly, men tend to become impotent, and women suffer from hair loss and clitoral enlargement. Additionally, there are other repercussions like acne, skin diseases, baldness, stunted growth, stroke, liver diseases, cancer and risk of HIV/AIDS in both sexes, given the fact that some of the drugs can make a person promiscuous in nature

Substance abuse can affect the body systems and depending on whether the body is able to process the drug or not, there have been many instances of interrupted breathing from sedatives, permanent brain damage from inhalants and heart attacks from stimulants.  Needless to say, all of these drugs can lead to death as well.   Drugs according to teen rehab centers, may be taken by teens to mask their fears and anxieties but in retrospect, they actually increase these worries after the momentary ‘high’ is lost and due to increased depression, a person can actually commit suicide, kill someone or even become a homicide victim.

Teenage prescription drug abuse is becoming a prevalent problem these days. That is mainly because compared to illegal substances like marijuana, heroin or cocaine, prescription drugs are more readily available and can be bought easily from drugstores.

The reported figures regarding prescription drug abuse among teenagers are alarming indeed. According to studies, one out of five teenagers has abused medication prescribed for pain. One out of five teenagers has also used both tranquilizers and stimulants. One in ten, on the other hand, is into cough medication.

If you are a parent to a teenager, how would you know if your teenager has a prescription drug addiction? The common signs of prescription drug abuse are described below.

1. Health. People become unhealthy after a prolonged period of prescription drug abuse. You should be concerned when your teenager feels lethargic most of the time, to the point of refusing to get up in the morning. A sudden change in your teenager’s weight is another indicator of prescription drug addiction. Redness of the eyes, pupil dilation and shaky hands are other signals that you should suspect prescription drug abuse with your teenager.

2. Attitude. It is normal for teenagers to be rebellious, or at least try to dissociate themselves from the rest of the family. However, when your teenager consciously changes his behavior in such a way that you no longer recognize who he is, this should alert you to the possibility that he may be into prescription drug abuse.

Your suspicion should be heightened if he begins to be secretive and if he always asks you for money but without telling why he needs it. It can even go to the point that he may steal things from home to fuel his addiction. Missing school or doing poorly in school is another indicator of prescription drug abuse.

3. Appearance. Changes in appearance can be tricky signs of prescription drug addiction because it may mean that your teenager is responding to peer pressure. If the change is too radical or if your teenager has totally lost interest in the way he or she looks, then you should check for prescription drug abuse.

4. Other signs. Aside from the physical and behavioral changes that you might see in your teenager, you should also look out for other signs in the home. If someone in your family is in prescribed medication, you should see if there are any missing pills or tablets in the bottle. You should also check if there are any other unfamiliar drugs at home. Missing valuables is another sign you should look out for.

What to Do If Your Teenager Has Prescription Drug Addiction

Once you have confirmed your suspicions that your teenager is doing prescription drug abuse, you should act immediately. It all starts with a talk with your teenager, although you could do prescription Drug Testing later. However, rather than focusing on the prescription drug abuse, you should zero in on the problem causing it.

Your teenager may get angry at you for what he may see as meddling in his life, but it is important for you to impress upon him that you are doing this because you love him. In helping him deal with teenage prescription drug abuse, it is essential for you to be honest with him and to cultivate trust and credibility with him.

Drug abuse refers to the availing of a drug for purposes which the drugs are not intended to, or using a drug in excessive quantities. Drug addiction is a state of physical and psychological dependence on a drug. The physical addiction is often characterized by the presence of tolerance, such as needing more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms that disappear when further medication is taken.

Almost all sorts of different drugs can be abused, including illegal drugs, such as heroin or cannabis, prescription medicines such as tranquilizers or painkillers and other medications that can be availed off the supermarket shelf, such as cough syrups or herbal concoctions.

Natural Therapies

Diet alterations:

The first step of detoxification is to stop any further induction of alcohol into the addict’s body. Once the alcohol intake ceases, it will also expedite the effect of other healing therapies in getting the individual rid of his or her drinking habit. A prohibition on further intake of alcohol should be accompanied by organic diet consisting of vegetables and fruits. They will aid the detoxification process by removing toxins from inside the body. Also, intake of refined sugar should be minimized, which will result in a balancing of sugar and blood chemistry.

Physical work:

Physical exercises such as Yoga, Pilates, and other forms of exercise will also help in the removal of toxins from the body. Physical exercise also helps in the formation of a strong connection between the body and the mind. This is important so that the individual realizes the harm of drinking excessive alcohol and will work towards getting rid of this habit.

Proper water intake:

Individuals suffering from alcohol addiction are advised to drink as many as eight glasses of water every day in an effort to keep their bodies adequately hydrated. Drinking plenty of water also helps to remove the toxins from the alcohol addict’s body and aids in the proper functioning of the body as a whole.

Vitamin intake:

In the process of alcohol detoxification the individual may suffer from some nutrition-related deficiencies. Therefore, it is imperative that the individual takes vitamin pills to avoid those deficiencies and to build up the strength of his her body.

Homeopathic Opium –

This herb is effective for minor hangouts, or sudden spells of dizziness or floating, and should be taken in the morning after.

Passion Flower –

This herb can be taken as a tea or in a tincture; it also works as a bit of a depressant, though it has a mild narcotic effect.

Valerian –

Valerian can be taken as a tea or in a tincture, this herb is from where Valium was derived from, and acts as a good sedative. It is also calms the nerves while in the process of detoxifying.

ScullCap –

This herbal concoction can be taken as a tincture or a tea, and is effective for calming the nerves, nervous headaches & associated.

Natural Remedies

Natural alcoholism remedies are gaining immense popularity today. This is mainly because they have the ability to produce the same effects as allopathic medicines in terms of easing the withdrawal symptoms, without the side-effects. That means that natural remedies can be taken for longer durations and in higher doses if required. This has been translating into an increasing number of people finally being able to kick the habit!

Knowing the signs of addiction can make it possible for parents to get their children into addiction treatment, like drug rehab. mental.healthguru.com