The great American poet e. e. cummings once said “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” Perhaps this maxim is even more true when it comes to being a teenager. Those of us who have gone through our teenage years can probably agree on one thing: Being a teenager is hard. Now, imagine how hard it is for teens struggling with addiction.

Understanding Teens Struggling With Addiction

The truth is that substance abuse among teens remains a very serious issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “15% of high school students reported having ever used select illicit or injection drugs (i.e. cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy).” What’s more, “14% of students reported misusing prescription opioids.”

Experimentation vs. Addiction

While that substance misuse and abuse will remain at the “experimentation stage” for some, for other teens it will create a vicious cycle of addiction. According to the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines:

“Adolescent substance use is heterogeneous, ranging from normative early experimentation with substance use to heavier and higher-risk patterns of use. Most youth who use substances do not become addicted; however, the prevalence of substance use disorders is still quite high, with 15% of youth meeting diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and 16% for drug abuse by age 18.”

Ultimately, a large percentage of people who struggle with long-term addiction start abusing substances when they are still in their teenage years.

The Warning Signs of Teens Struggling With Addiction

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic mental health disorder. What the “chronic” term implies is that SUD is only going to get worse, not better, if not treated by a professional. It is perhaps helpful to think of SUD as other chronic health issues like diabetes or cancer. Without treatment, they are unlikely to get better on their own.

This means that staying vigilant about teens and addiction is critical. As with other chronic disorders and diseases, the earlier it is detected, the better the chances of a successful recovery without long-term consequences.

The following are just a few of the warning signs of a teen struggling with addiction:

  • They may begin to suddenly lose interest in hobbies and activities they once enjoyed.
  • A teen may suddenly begin hanging out with a new friend group that seems uncharacteristic of them.
  • They may begin to show an unexplained decline in academic achievement.
  • A teen may begin to push against boundaries regarding curfews and household rules.
  • They may smell of alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana.
  • A teen may start to engage in risky behaviors and show excessive mood swings.

The Symptoms of Untreated Addiction

One of the most important reasons for detecting the warning signs of teens struggling with addiction early is that the symptoms of untreated addiction can be quite severe. In fact, these symptoms can lead to the severest outcome of all: death. While that may sound harsh, make no mistake that addiction is a deadly disease. That includes addiction that starts in the teenage years.

The following are just a few of the symptoms of untreated addiction that can potentially be avoided if proper treatment is sought soon enough:

  • An individual will begin to lose all interest in academic, professional, and social connections.
  • They will start to experience physical symptoms (depending on the substance) that can range from gastrointestinal problems to malnutrition and a lowered ability to fight infection.
  • An individual is much more likely to acquire a comorbidity of mental health, such as bipolar disorder or an anxiety disorder.
  • Individuals struggling with addiction are more likely to become entangled in criminal and legal troubles.
  • For adolescents, due to the lack of full brain development, mental functioning can become impaired.
  • There is a very real potential for overdose and a very real possibility of death from an overdose.

If any of the previous warning signs or addiction symptoms are present in a teenager you know, it’s important to act. We here at Clearview highly recommend reaching out for professional help as soon as possible The good news is that help is out there and the treatments for SUD are evidence-based and effective.

Our Recovery Mission at Clearview

Here at Clearview, we have helped countless teens struggling with addiction get on the road to recovery. We have recovery professionals and treatment modalities that help our students through their addiction issues in the present moment. Our professionals also equip students with techniques and tools that can help them stay recovered in the long term.

The great American writer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow famously said that “Youth comes but once in a lifetime.” For millions of teens, addiction tries to steal that youth. Here at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we aim to give it back.

Being able to recognize addiction in adolescents early on is crucial for avoiding negative consequences. This is why parents who suspect their daughter may be struggling with alcohol and/or illicit substance addiction need to learn the warning signs and symptoms. Seeking help sooner rather than later can be the difference between having only short-term side effects and longer-term negative outcomes. If you feel like your daughter may be dealing with substance use disorder (SUD), please know that your family is not alone. We can give you and your daughter the help you both need. For more information about the common behaviors to look out for in teenage addiction, please reach out to Clearview Horizon today at 866-584-4788.