A few weeks ago, John Stamos was arrested for driving under the influence. At first, he didn’t check into a treatment center to help him with his substance abuse, but two days ago he did according to People magazine. Stamos took the brave step toward recovery that many do not. It’s important to get help as soon as possible in order to provide the best outcomes.
Substance abuse is also a teen issue
Though alcohol and cigarette usage have been declining among teenagers, illicit drug use has actually grown since 1994. According to a study, done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2014, 37.4 percent of 12th graders had drank alcohol in the past 30 days. While alcohol use is still higher, 23.7 percent of 12th graders had used illicit drugs in the past 30 days. This study is a prime example of substance abuse still being a large issue among adolescents, especially in high school.
Signs your teen has a substance abuse issue
Substance abuse is a serious issue and should be treated immediately. Substance abuse doesn’t always lead to addiction, but it always has the potential to. It’s important to know the indicators of drug abuse in teenagers in order to catch it early and get treatment as soon as possible.
From the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, signs that your teen is using drugs or alcohol include:
- Sudden secretiveness
- Mood changes/emotional instability
- Using gum/mints more often to cover up smell of breath
- Clothes/belongings smell like smoke
- More tired than usual
- Changes in friends
- Decline in school performance/attendance
- Loss of interest in usually enjoyed activities
- Red eyes
- Increased clumsiness/loss of coordination
Wilderness therapy can help
Sometimes teenagers need a larger intervention than parents and traditional therapy can provide. That’s when blueFire Wilderness Therapy can help. blueFire is a wilderness therapy program that treats teens that struggle with anxiety, depression, substance abuse and many others. At blueFire, we can help not only your child, but your whole family.
For more information about how blueFire can help your teen with substance abuse, contact us today at 844-413-1999.