What is Adolescent Substance Use Disorder?
Adolescence is a time of cognitive development and critical changes in a young person’s brain structure, and is marked by periods of significant growth in so many areas of life.
In an already complicated time of change: hormones, stress of peer relationships, fitting in, academic challenges, self discovery and entering young adulthood – adolescent substance use disorder can be detrimental to a young person’s life and have negative long-term effects that are complex to treat.
Adolescent substance use disorder is a pattern of substance use that often has a negative impact on many areas of a young person’s life. It is characterized as a repeated use of substances that leads to impairment and the inability to stop or control the use of a substance.
It often leads to issues with:
Emotional regulation
Academic performance
Athletic performance
Relationships
Self esteem and self worth
Teens and adolescents may experiment with substances such as alcohol, cannabis, prescription opioids, anabolic steroids, tobacco and e-cigarettes, heavy alcohol use, and potentially the use of other illicit drugs. Keep reading to learn more about adolescent substance use, its effects and risk, substance use prevention and available treatment options.
Risk Factors of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder
If you are navigating the challenges of adolescence or are a parent or loved one of a teen, it may be helpful to learn about the potential risks and signs of adolescent substance use disorder.
There are many things that increase the risk of developing adolescent substance use disorder, such as:
Lack of parental supervision
Trauma or adverse childhood experiences
Family history of substance abuse
Peer pressure
In addition, adolescents are more susceptible to having cognitive deficits and making impulsive decisions while the brain is still developing. Other factors can lead to an increased risk of developing substance use disorders such as: gender differences, mood disorders and socio-economic status.
Whatever the risks may be, we want you to know that there is support and help available to you. At Insight Northwest Recovery, we offer Teen Treatment for teens and adolescents who are struggling with substance use or mental health conditions. If you or someone you love is struggling, we understand it can be a daunting step to begin treatment. However, we also understand the tremendous strength and awareness it takes to seek help and begin the process of recovery. Our team is here to help you take that step and feel confident choosing the right treatment program for you.
Effects of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder
Substance use during such a critical developmental stage in a young person’s life can have long-term, detrimental effects. It is our mission to provide access to treatment for vulnerable populations and provide the opportunity for early intervention.
Substance use disorders among adolescents can have a significant impact on the developing brain. The prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain responsible for impulse control and decision-making and is still undergoing development. The use of drugs and alcohol during this period can disrupt normal brain function and lead to long-term, critical consequences. Teen drug abuse can impact decision-making and lead to impulsive, risky behavior that can have serious consequences that affect a teen’s social, familial and academic life and can sometimes lead to negative legal outcomes.
Not only are substance use disorders in adolescents associated with impulsive behavior like driving under the influence or having unprotected sex, it can also significantly impact emotional regulation, cognitive development and overall mental health.
Typically adolescents suffering from the symptoms of substance abuse will face a decrease in their mental health, experience challenges when navigating relationships, struggle with their self worth, and experience a decline in academic performance. Struggling with substance abuse and balancing school can lead to a drop in grades, poor school attendance and a general decrease of attaining educational information. This can result in lower IQ and impair cognitive flexibility and have long-term impacts on career and education.
Research shows that adolescent drug usage can impair cognitive skills such as:
Attention span
Memory
Problem-solving
It can also worsen mental health disorders such as:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety
Depression
Substance use in adolescence can also affect physical health and lead to issues with liver function, respiratory issues and an increased sexual risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Additionally, adolescents with substance use disorder are at an increased risk for developing co-occuring mental health disorders which can worsen their emotional well-being.
It is important to seek professional help to mitigate the negative effects of substance abuse.
Dealing with any number of these challenges is incredibly difficult. As struggles with addiction or substance use continue - these effects can pile on and leave you feeling defeated, alone, and overwhelmed. We want you to know that you are not alone. There is hope – and with the right support and resources, recovery is possible.
How Insight Northwest Recovery Can Help
We understand the unique challenges that adolescents and young adults face throughout their recovery journey including stress from school or work, social isolation, and peer pressure. We are here to support you and our programs are tailored to address these struggles and provide evidence-based treatment to overcome substance abuse and mental health issues.
We know that seeking therapy can be a vulnerable and unfamiliar process, and we are here to make it comfortable and as convenient as possible. Our structured, yet flexible programs are there to provide clarity on your path to recovery while supporting your unique needs and schedule. Insight Northwest Recovery has an experienced team of supportive providers who are committed to being by your side through your healing journey.
If you feel ready to take the first step on the path to recovery, we invite you to book a free consultation today.
We offer support for those seeking treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders. We also provide support for a wide range of behavioral addictions and substance abuse disorders, addressing the use of electronic cigarettes and tobacco products, adolescent alcohol abuse, and more.
We aim to provide the best care for adolescents and young adults in need of support for their mental health and substance use concerns.