Addiction does not exempt anyone, whether you are wealthy, poor, old, or young, addiction can consume and take your life.
Since the 1990s, prescription drug misuse or abuse has been an epidemic in the US. It started when the prescriptions of pain-relieving drugs significantly increased. The problem of prescription drug addiction does not only affect adults but teenagers as well.
Based on National Institute on Drug Abuse statistics, for young people ages 15-24, prescription drug overdoses have been continuous for the past decade. And 62% of teenagers who abuse prescription drugs typically get it from their parent’s medicine cabinets.
Also, the top five reasons why teenagers misuse prescription drug has to do with accessibility.
How Can Drug Use Permanently Impact Teenagers?
Any drug misuse and abuse are dangerous to anybody. But it significantly and permanently does more damage to a teenager’s body.
A teenager’s body and brain are still developing. Prescription drug abuse can impede this development. According to SAMHSA, our prefrontal cortex develops further during adolescence, allowing us to set priorities, formulate strategies, allocate attention, and control impulses.
These developments help us to become more cultured at processing information and understanding rules, laws, and codes of social conduct.
During adolescence, our brains start to make connections of pathways, and the routes that are encouraged are the ones that stick. Addiction to a substance can be a pathway. And teenagers who feed their addiction consistently can have serious and lasting effects.
Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse
Early intervention is the key to preventing your child from sinking deeper into addiction. Spotting the symptoms as early as possible can help. You might want to look for some of these symptoms if you suspect your teenager is abusing drugs.
- Acting irresponsibly
- Acting secretive
- Anxiety
- Avoiding eye contact
- Damaging relationships
- A decline in performance at work or school
- Dropping old friends for a new social group
- Frequent anger or aggressiveness
- Isolating from family or seemingly avoiding family
- Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Lying
- Sleeping more than usual or less than usual
- Stealing
- Wearing long sleeves during inappropriate weather
- Poor hygiene
- Bloodshot eyes
- Glassy eyes
- Nosebleeds
- Paranoia
- Bruises on arms or legs
- Pupils that are too large or too small
- Shakiness
- Sweaty palms
- Marked weight loss or weight gain
- Frequently sick
If you suspect your teenager is addicted to drugs, intervene as early as possible. Addiction is curable, especially if your child is willing to recover.
If you want to help your teenager to recover, Skyward Treatment in Sugar Land, Texas, is the right choice. We also cater to residents from Dallas, Texas, and other nearby cities.
We have world-class facilities, professional health providers, and complementary therapies. Most importantly, we ensure that our patient’s objectives are also our goals.
If your loved one is suffering from prescription drug abuse, call us, we can help.