One of the fastest growing teen drug problems in the United States is prescription drug addiction. Every day, kids are abusing dangerous, addictive drugs such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Adderall – falsely believing that because they come in pill form – and are originally prescribed by a doctor – that they are somehow safer than illicit street drugs such as heroin or cocaine when in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
Why do Teenagers Develop Prescription Drug Addictions?
There are a number of reasons why young people develop prescription drug addictions that are unique to their age group. For example, teens may turn to drugs because of peer pressure, or even academic pressure over fear of disappointing their parents or not getting into a good college. Other kids may abuse prescription drugs as a means of self-medicating the emotional pain associated with problems at home, self-images issues or other concerns common among young people. Regardless of the reason why a teenager starts using prescription drugs, few are prepared to deal with the addictive nature of these products – and soon find that they have taken over their lives in more ways than one.
What are the Most Common Teen Prescription Drug Addictions?
Currently, prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin are the most abused prescription drugs by teens in the United States. Young people obtain these powerful opiates from the medicine cabinets of friends and family – or more insidiously on the Internet, where illegal pharmacies selling medications to anyone with a credit card and a mailing address.
The Elements of Adolescent Prescription Drug Treatment
There are three core elements involved with prescription drug treatment for teenagers: detox, counseling and aftercare. Each one represents a different aspect of helping the individual overcome the physical and psychological components of drug addiction. Detox helps the individual address their physical dependence on drugs – cleansing the system of harmful toxins. Counseling and aftercare, on the other hand, address issues of the mind, reshaping the individual’s behavior so that they make better decisions and respond more positively to “triggers” that bring about prescription drug use.
Families and Teen Drug Rehab
Families play an important role in the recovery of teen prescription drug addicts. In addition to being the ones who are most likely to help the individual get into a rehab program, loved ones can also play a vital role during and after treatment. During teen drug rehab, families need to visit often – always providing love and support to the young person who has embarked upon this difficult journey. They should always take part in family drug counseling programs – which provide a chance to open the lines of communication and heal the wounds inflicted by the teen’s prescription drug addiction. Young people who come from strong families that support one another stand a much better chance at achieving recovery.
Author Resource:
Samantha Vargas is the author of this article on Teen prescription rehab .
Find more information about Prescription drug rehab here.
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