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Adolescence is a challenging period for teenagers and also for the entire family. During this period, teens experience physical, psychological, social, and behavioral changes that sometimes result in difficulties for them and those around them that is why help from a dual diagnosis treatment center can help promote lasting recovery.
Due to these changes, it can be difficult to identify if these changes are as a result of drug use or are simply related to puberty. Teenage drug use can be serious and even life-threatening and can require a teen addiction treatment center to step in and help. Since their brains are still developing, drug abuse can have long term cognitive and behavior changes. Is your teenager using drugs? Understand the signs of drug use and end an imminent problem before it begins.
Behavioral Changes
While adolescence may cause behavioral changes in the teen, there is an extent that can serve as red flags for teenage drug use. For instance, teen’s behaviors such as aggressive arguments with siblings, extreme moodiness, and anger can be related to being under the influence of drugs. Take note of how outbursts affect stable relationships with family members these outbursts often are indicators of deeper issues that may require experiential therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or even dialectical behavioral therapy to help treat the deep rooted issues. Though blatant disobedience is normal teenage behavior, extreme extents such as staying out all night, reckless driving, and misuse of money can hint out drug abuse. Other behavioral changes to watch out for in your teen include:
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Sudden change in appetite
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Change in friend groups
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Complaints in school about misbehavior
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Poor performance in school
Depending on the substance they may be using, their behaviors may vary. Trust your gut when you notice there is something off with your child’s behavior.
Physical Changes
It may be hard to identify changes in physical appearance, however, look out for:
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Bloodshot eyes
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Flushed cheeks
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Shaking or tremors
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Soot fingers or lips
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Runny nose without a cold
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Unexplained track marks on the arms
Emotional Changes
Teens often experience shifts in emotional stability. When drug use is topped up, these mood swings may be augmented. If your once an exuberant child starts acting withdrawn or depressed, they may be dealing with mental issues, and these may be signs of being under the influence of drugs. Often it is best to get the teen out of their current environment and into a residential treatment center where they can focus exclusively on recovery.
While it can be hard to gauge the underlying reason behind the behavior of a teenager, it is important to observe their mood changes. Unexplained restlessness, excitability, and emotional upheavals may be signs that they are involved in drug-related activities.
Health and Hygiene
During adolescence, teens experience rapid growth and the changing hormones may take a toll on the teenager. However, some signs could point out the possibility of drug use. For instance, if your teen experiences frequent headaches together with unhealthy sleep patterns, they may be misusing drugs.
A drastic change in their grooming could indicate a shift in focus to other things. Notice if the teen lacks regard towards their hygiene or no longer minds his/her appearance, it could be a sign of mental health issues together with drug use.
Changes at Home and School
Unexplained sudden decline in the teen’s grades is a red flag to take note of. At home, keep an eye out for any unusual changes that may serve as subtle signs of drug use. Such include:
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Strange or unusual containers
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Drug paraphernalia like smoking devices, butane lighters, syringes, and eye drops
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Missing prescription drugs
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Alcohol bottles
Is Your Teenager Using Drugs? Find Help for Your Teen at The Detox Center
With the right treatment and support, teens struggling with substance use disorder can recover and move into productive lives. Often the best treatment is individualized and catered to your teen and usually combine these treatment options.
Due to the changes taking place during adolescence, teenagers who are struggling with addiction are likely to have a co-occurring mental health issue such as anxiety or depression. These Informative blogs below can help find the right help for your son/duaghter.
The power of addiction
The word “addiction” is derived from the Latin term “to enslave”.
Addiction rearranges the brain. It changes the way a person processes information for learning and motivation. Certain activities that are intensely pleasurable at the onset can actually commandeer the brain, fundamentally changing positive functions to compulsions this can create the unique issue of facing mental health disorder and addiciton. For Teens this can be especially dangerous in their adolecent years that is where a Teen Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center can help teens find lasting recovery
Addiction is a strong craving, subsequent loss of control over using a substance and continual use even with dire consequences. Sometimes these can metastasize mental as personality disorders like manic depression which makes entering a boys bipolar disorder treatment center even more important
Today we recognize addition as a chronic condition.
Interrupting the compulsion
You want a rehab that invokes the highest standards for treatment, not only for addictions, but the mental disorders that often shadow addictive compulsions usually this will include trauma treatment programs and depression treatment programs
Most Rehabs provide a complete physical examination upon arrival at the center to determine any illnesses, as well as psychiatric evaluation to determine thought disorders often then they will have an idea of treatment programs to offer to you which can include Amphetamine Abuse Treatment, Benzo Addiction Treatment, Cocaine addiction Treatment and even some not so normal ones like DMX substance abuse treatment. Dietary history is recorded to discover underlying nutritional habits or deficits that contribute to illness. It is important to understand any concealed issues that drive addictive behaviors.
Changing course
Addiction wellness begins with the understanding that all of life cannot be pleasurable. It means saying “no” to addiction, and replacing that with “yes” to other activities that build positive physical and mental strengths this is usually a concept that is better taught in detail in an addiction treatment center
Some Rehabs offers medical detoxification under a physician, behavior therapies, group sessions, meditation programs and physical fitness programs. Family therapy is an important adjunct, because all social interaction is disrupted and corrupted by addiction. Some instances people will even respond better to adventure therapy or other forms of addiction treatment like…
Addiction wellness
Addiction wellness means understanding the chronic nature of addiction, and becoming prepared through support to live a positive lifestyle. For instance, diabetes is a chronic condition, so a diabetic person is prepared with medical support and therapy to cope with the disease and lead a productive life.
Sober living communities assist people in learning how to live a positive and rewarding lifestyle without the bondage of drugs or alcohol. Structure is important. People are encouraged to schedule their lives and fill them with work, chores and nutritious meals. Sober living fosters vital communication skills and the ability to reach out and interact positively with others. Contribution to society through volunteer work is encouraged.
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