Teen Drug Use: Helping Your Child Through Addiction

Anyone can become addicted to drugs at any age. Adolescent drug use and teenage drinking in the US is a serious issue. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Monitoring the Future Survey, overseen by the US Department of Health and Human Services, adolescents continue to report interest in using nicotine (particularly vaping), cannabis, and alcohol, and the risk of adolescent death by accidental drug overdose is also rising.

During adolescence, addressing substance use when the first signs present themselves can be helpful. The human brain continues to mature during adolescence, and regular drug use can impede or damage neural growth or cognitive function. Early intervention may give a child a greater chance at long-term recovery and living a life without health complications.

Why do adolescents use illicit drugs?

Adolescents may begin to experiment with drugs for a variety of reasons. While every individual instance of adolescent substance use is different, there are some factors that could cause an increased risk of drug use.

Mental health concerns in adolescent drug use

Teenagers experiencing mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety may turn to drugs as a form of self-medication.

Environmental stressors

Stressors in other areas of an adolescent’s life, such as low grades in school or experiences with bullying or cyberbullying, also can heighten the risk of substance use. 

Protective factors against use of illicit drugs

There are also components of an adolescent’s life that may reduce their likelihood of drug use or increase the likelihood that they will limit their engagement with substances to occasional recreational use as opposed to developing a substance use disorder. These preventive factors include strong bonds with family and active participation in school or community organizations.

Signs of adolescent drug use

Recognizing destructive patterns stemming from adolescent substance use can be challenging for loved ones because many typical teenage behaviors can mimic symptoms of drug and alcohol use (i.e., confusion, moodiness, and fluctuating energy levels).

Behavioral changes

If your child experiences a negative change in mood or behavior, such as beginning to act hostile or withdrawn or feeling tired or depressed all the time, these changes can be a sign that they may be developing a mental health condition or substance use problem. 

Warning signs in adolescents to look for 

Signs of adolescent substance use are often missed or overlooked, as parents attribute them to being a normal part of growing up. However, if these signs are coupled with any of the following, then it may be a cause for concern:

• Socializing with a different group of friends

• Neglecting their appearance

• Skipping class

• Earning failing grades

• Getting in trouble at school or with the law

• Experiencing deteriorating relationships

• Requesting money more frequently

• Using candles or air fresheners (to mask smoke and other odors associated with substance use)

• Having bloodshot eyes or small pupils or using eye drops frequently when they have never needed them before

• Experiencing unexplainable nosebleeds (which could indicate they have been snorting a substance)

• Experiencing seizures with no history of epilepsy

• Showing signs of injuries, accidents, or bruises that they cannot remember or won't discuss

• Smelling unusual

• Having impaired or unstable coordination

• Speaking incoherently or slurring

• Shaking or experiencing body tremors

• Possessing drug paraphernalia (rolling papers, baggies, vials, syringes, etc.)

Early intervention can often lead to successful treatment. If you notice any of these signs of potential addiction, the next step is to assist your child in seeking help.

Seeking help for your teen’s substance use disorder

To seek support for a teen’s potential drug use, consult a professional. You can bring your child to their doctor so that they can be screened for signs of substance use, including health conditions related to using drugs. You may check with your doctor to ensure they are comfortable conducting a drug test. Otherwise, they may be able to refer you to a doctor who specializes in this area.

Consulting an addiction specialist for a substance use disorder

You can also call an addiction specialist directly. In the US alone, 3,500 board-certified physicians specialize in substance use disorders. You can find a doctor by clicking the "Find a Physician" link on the American Society of Addiction Medicine website. You can also use the "Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder" on the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. In both cases, you and the doctor can decide whether your child should be referred for treatment.

Medical evaluations and treatment considerations for teen drug use

In addition to asking your child a series of questions to evaluate whether they may have a drug-related issue, the doctor may also conduct blood and urine tests to check for the presence of substances. If any drugs are present, these tests help the doctor realize the extent of the child's drug use, and they can begin to treat them accordingly.

At first, you may be apprehensive about seeking treatment for your child during the school year. For instance, treatment might impact milestones for high school students, from scholarly pursuits to athletic tournaments. However, drugs can also have consequences. Treatment may help your child regain control over their life by diminishing or eliminating the effects that addiction can have on their body, brain, and behavior. In addition, early intervention can support teens before they graduate and head out into the world where they may be exposed to more frequent substance use. 

Adolescents and intervention

You may have watched interventions on television before. Often, in these media portrayals, friends and family surround their loved ones, giving them a hard dose of reality by forcing the person to admit they have a drug problem and agree to seek treatment for it. However, there is no evidence to prove that this type of confrontation is effective at convincing someone to enter treatment. Confrontations like these can backfire, leading to violence or other negative and unexpected results.

The limitations of confrontational interventions

Many adolescents will enter treatment only when they are forced to go, such as when their parents bring them or when they run into trouble with the law and the justice system interferes. Therefore, parents may focus on incentivizing the child to consult a doctor. During the appointment, try to allow the teen secrecy, as they may not be open to talking to their parents about the issue. 

If drug use is confirmed, your child may have fears and concerns about treatment. You can reassure your child that, should they go through detox, the treatment center can keep them safe and comfortable. Reaffirm that the teen’s family and loved ones will still be there to offer love and support as they go through this change. In addition, look through treatment options with them and allow them to have a say in where they go. 

Read reviews of each treatment center from adults who had gone there as teens, and make yourself aware of common controversial treatments that may do more harm than good, such as “wilderness programs” that have been associated with cases of abuse in some areas. When looking for a treatment program, keep your teen’s mental health in mind, too, as being away from family for long periods can be traumatizing. Visit them often if they must stay in a residential center, and remind them of your love and support throughout the process. 

Medication as a treatment for drug addiction

Adults who are living with an addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and opioids, including heroin, are typically prescribed certain non-habit-forming medications to help wean them from their addictions by reducing the effects of withdrawal symptoms. These same medications may also be prescribed to teens and young adults but in smaller amounts. 

Medication may be used in conjunction with behavioral therapy. For instance, medication may be prescribed to treat depression or anxiety, which can be a cause of substance use in some teens. Your treatment provider can recommend the medications that might work most effectively for your child's specific needs. Only seek medication under the guidance of a medical doctor or psychiatrist.

The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. You should not take any action (including starting, stopping, or changing medication) without consulting a qualified medical professional.

Don't blame yourself

You may be worried that your child’s substance use is your fault. However, instead of looking at the idea of blame, look at ways to support your child through this challenging moment. Some professionals may recommend separating the teen from their parents while undergoing treatment for a substance use disorder if the parent(s) have addictions themselves. However, if the parents are not actively using and are willing to be a part of the solution, family support can be helpful for teens. Adolescent alcohol and substance use is not an easy subject, as many risk factors can lead to a child developing an addiction.

Parents often have significant influence over their children. Doctors, therapists, and friends can all play a role in recovery, but parents can provide parental love and support. Even if your child is tense or withdrawn, a deep-seated connection remains between parents and their children. For this reason, therapists may recommend family therapy to support a child. 

Parenting as a team effort

Whatever your family composition, demonstrating a united front can be a powerful way of helping a child living with an addiction. All family members can work together to discuss the child’s care. You can collaborate to create an action plan to work together to address the problem, ensuring your child is included in the discussion and consulted on details involving their care. 

In some cases, parents and other family constituents will agree on how best to approach the situation. Other times, they may look to reach a compromise. Regardless, recognize that each of you may handle the situation differently on your own, but in working together, you may put your differences aside and devise a parenting plan that can benefit the child most in the long run.

Support options 

Therapy can be helpful for parents or teens. However, barriers to in-person care may prevent some people from seeking help. In these cases, online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp for adults or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19 may be more accessible. Through an online platform, parents can schedule sessions with a therapist at a time that works for them and participate in therapy from the comfort of their home or office. In addition, teens who use online therapy may appreciate the option to use live chat with their therapist for sessions. 

How online therapy can help with mental health and substance use

Online therapy is available to individuals, couples, or families. One study assessed the efficacy of a telehealth intervention for families, comparing the results to those of face-to-face therapies. Researchers found “equivalent outcomes” between web-based interventions and traditional therapy. In the case of depression, the telehealth treatment was even found to be superior, with parents experiencing an even more significant reduction in their depressive symptoms than those going through traditional, face-to-face treatments.

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