With the back-to-school season upon us, it’s natural for parents to worry about their children and especially the presence of drugs in high school. It’s a sad but true fact that many cases of addiction begin in the teenage years. While we’d like to think schools are safe, unfortunately, there’s some extent of exposure to drugs and alcohol. If you suspect your child of drug use, keep reading to learn what you can do to help.
Facts on Teen Drug Use
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021 gives some insight into the data and impact of substance abuse in teens. Here are some of the highlights from the report:
- In 2021, 13% of students reported using illicit or injection drugs — cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens or ecstasy — at least once.
- 12% of high school students said they’ve misused prescription opioids.
- Youths who use opioids are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors.
- Students who report misusing prescription drugs are more likely to be victims of physical or sexual dating violence.
Overall, the CDC study found that drug abuse in teens was associated with sexual risk behavior, violence, mental health and suicide risks.
According to the Department of Justice, trying drugs at an earlier age increases the risk of having a substance abuse addiction later in life. For example, one study found that of the individuals who tried marijuana at 14 or younger, 13% had an illicit drug addiction later on. In comparison, only 2.8% of adults who tried marijuana later in life reported having a substance abuse disorder.
Why Adolescents Are Vulnerable to Drug Use
Some reasons teenagers are so susceptible to drug use include:
- Lack of understanding. Teenagers have a natural curiosity that can result in experimentation. They’re at a point in their lives where they don’t yet grasp the concept of serious consequences.
- Frequent exposure. Teens are frequently exposed to drug use, and the recurring exposure can desensitize them to substances, making them feel “normal.”
- Peer pressure. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure. When a young person is struggling to fit in and wants to be accepted, it’s more difficult to have the confidence to turn down drugs at a social gathering.
- Easy access. Many teenagers experiment with prescription drugs simply because they’re so accessible. If a parent has a prescription, it can be easy to sneak into the medicine cabinet and steal a few pills.
Commonly Used Drugs Among Teens
Across the country, teenagers tend to flock to the same types of substances. The most commonly used drugs among teens are:
Impact on Brain Development and Academic Performance
For parents, one of the scariest parts of teenage drug use is the long-standing consequences it can have. Notably, since a teen’s brain is still developing, frequent drug use can have particularly negative side effects.
Long-term drug use alters the brain and sets the teenager up for addiction and other problems. Once addicted, the teenager prioritizes drugs above all else. They often start performing poorly in school, lose interest in hobbies and engage in increasingly risky behavior. Without professional intervention, an addiction can last for years.
Warning Signs for Parents and Educators
Some telltale signs that your child is getting into drugs are:
- Drug paraphernalia around the house
- Red eyes
- Dramatic changes in behavior, moods, sleep patterns and eating habits
- Isolation
- Sudden loss of interest in hobbies, friends and school
- Increase in risky behavior
- Problems at school
Keeping Kids Safe From Drugs in High School
While every parent strives to keep their kids as safe as possible, they can’t be with them 24-7, and a certain level of trust is necessary. Yes, kids are exposed to alcohol and drugs in high school, but it doesn’t mean they have to develop a full-blown addiction.
The problem with this age group is that there’s a lot of peer pressure to give in to what other kids are doing. Students can come to school with anything from prescription pills they stole from their grandma to alcohol, ecstasy and everything in between. The exposure is there, but how a child reacts to the temptation makes all the difference.
Parents: How You Can Help
There are several things parents can do to help prevent their children from falling victim to addiction. One of the most important things to do is educate yourself on teenage drug use and know the facts and figures. Information is power, and the more awareness you can create, the better.
Here are some things you can do to help keep your teens safe:
- Stay informed. Stay knowledgeable and realistic about things that may go on, from drug trends to alcohol abuse.
- Talk to your children. Educating them about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse might just prevent them from picking up a substance. Fostering these kinds of conversations creates an open door for trust and more discussion.
- Know your child’s friends. If you know the company they keep, you can tell if there may be potential problems. You can also tell if someone is a bad influence.
- Encourage your child to talk. If they know they can come to you for advice, they’re more likely to do so. This isn’t an appropriate time to use scare tactics or threats. Instead, compassionately listen and offer advice.
- Talk to teachers and authorities at your children’s school. The more people you can network with, the more you can stay informed about what your kid is up to. These people can be your eyes and ears during the school day, so develop those relationships.
- Talk to the parents of your child’s friends. Make sure you’re all on the same page about drug and alcohol use and prescription drugs are out of reach.
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure
The truth is that the more communication you can establish, the more you’ll be able to prevent your child from getting involved with drugs or alcohol in the first place. If they do start using, there’s a greater chance they’ll tell you before it becomes a problem.
Remember that creating a loving, supportive and happy environment at home significantly reduces the chances of your child using drugs or alcohol. Make the effort to get to know your child, their friends and other people in their lives. Regularly talking to them about the dangers of alcohol and drugs in high school helps curb any issue before it gets out of hand.
FHE Health
If your teenager is using drugs, consider seeking professional support. Rehabilitation can help them get their life back on track before the addiction spirals out of control. FHE Health offers substance abuse recovery programs tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your teenager.
