{"id":2074,"date":"2022-09-09T11:54:47","date_gmt":"2022-09-09T11:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/?page_id=2074"},"modified":"2024-01-18T14:53:31","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T14:53:31","slug":"substance-abuse-and-addiction-in-teenagers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/substance-abuse-and-addiction-in-teenagers\/","title":{"rendered":"Substance Abuse and Addiction in Teenagers"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>Substance Abuse and Addiction in Teenagers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Between 2016 and 2020, drug use among 8th graders increased by 61%. Overall, at least 1 in every 8 teenagers misuses an illicit substance each year. While not everyone gets addicted, substance abuse can have devastating effects on a young person\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

Substance abuse and addiction in teenagers can have long-term cognitive and behavioral consequences that can impact their lives for years to come, so it\u2019s important to be able to spot the signs of teen substance abuse as well as when it\u2019s time to get help.<\/p>\n

<\/span>How Common is Teenage Substance Abuse?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Addiction is often thought of as a young adult problem, but substance abuse often starts during the teenage years.<\/p>\n

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics<\/a>, 50% of teenagers have abused a drug at least once, and 62% of teenagers in 12th grade have abused alcohol. The actual numbers may be higher because much of this data is self-reported and relies on the honesty of teens, who may be afraid of telling the truth about their substance use.<\/p>\n

California teens especially have high rates of drug abuse. Teenagers in California are 24.46% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen but are less likely to abuse alcohol.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, early drug abuse is directly correlated with substance abuse and addiction problems later in life. Teenage substance abuse not only increases the risk of addiction but also comes with dire consequences. In 2020, 4,777 Americans aged 15 to 24 years old died of a drug overdose and 11.2% of all overdose deaths are among people ages 15 to 24 years.<\/p>\n

With fentanyl becoming such a problem and being found in all types of drugs, including counterfeit pills and marijuana, the risk of overdose in young people has never been higher.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Most Popular Drugs Among Teenagers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some substances are more popular among teenagers than others. Teenagers are more likely to use drugs that they perceive as safe, such as alcohol, marijuana, or prescriptions. They are also likely to experiment with substances that are easy to obtain, such as those found in their parent\u2019s medicine cabinets or given away by friends at school.<\/p>\n

Some of the most widely used substances among teens include:<\/p>\n