When does drug abuse start?
Studies such as the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, formally called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, indicate that some children are already abusing drugs at age 12 or 13, which likely means that some begin even earlier. Early abuse often includes such substances as tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, and prescription drugs such as sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medicines. If drug abuse persists into later adolescence, abusers typically become more heavily involved with marijuana and then advance to other drugs, while continuing their abuse of tobacco and alcohol. Studies have also shown that abuse of drugs in late childhood and early adolescence is associated with greater drug involvement. It is important to note that most youth, however, do not progress to abusing other drugs.
Young Adults and Drug Abuse
For those who do progress to abusing other drugs and develop full-blown addictions – it can be a long and arduous road to recovery. It’s not a life that many want to live but that has come to be whether by force, choice or a bit of both. There’s no point in placing blame or re-opening very deep wounds. Addiction is a life-long condition that can with proper detox, treatment and maintenance be put into remission. Once the choice has been made to stop abusing drugs, the road to recovery begins. There may be slips along the way and addiction may seem to be winning but if you keep at it you will have the upper hand and it will no longer run your life.
Our brains are still developing into maturity until we’re 25 years of age. Up until 25 years of age we’re going through a lot of changes, graduating high school and going off to college or in some cases dropping out of high school and getting our G.E.D or trying to figure out what to do with our lives. What about those of us with no families? Or those of us who have kids young? What if we migrated to this country and don’t speak the language well and can’t get a job? Life can be very different and harder for some than others – so when you throw in addiction into the mix things can just get overly complicated. In addition to that, being young and immature can lead us down a dark road searching for the light.
Drug Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
Young adults (18 and over) have the option of checking into full inpatient and outpatient residential drug rehabilitation centers. If you are the parent of a young adult with a drug problem you should look into sending your child to a full rehabilitation program. Addiction is not something you can sweep under the rug and hope for it to disappear. Addiction has to be confronted head on so that rehabilitation can begin sooner rather than later. The more abuse done to the body and the brain, the harder it is for a person to be receptacle to change. Behaviors are learned and in addiction, there’s a chemical reward system in the brain that is being targeted. Using drugs becomes the only source of happiness and any consequence is acceptable. Addiction programs for young adults include:
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Medical Detoxification
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Residential Addiction Treatment
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Group and Individual Therapy
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Comprehensive Family Program
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Outpatient Addiction Treatment
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After Care Services
If you know a young adult who is need of drug addiction treatment please give us a call at 1-833-596-3502.
