Can Teens Struggle with Addiction?
Can Teens Struggle with Addiction?
You may have noticed recent changes in your teenager that are concerning. Sure, teenagers experience hormonal changes and want to rebel a bit, but what if their behavior starts spiraling out of control? Is it possible that your teen struggles with addiction? If so, what signs should you look out for? And is treatment available for teenagers that are in school?
Below is more information about teenage addiction.
Can Teens Struggle with Addiction?
Yes. Just like adults, teenagers can struggle with addiction.
As they are already going through a lot of life changes, it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between your child “going through a phase” and having a serious condition that needs to be addressed (whether it be a mental health condition or substance use disorder).
If you suspect that your teen is suffering from addiction or a mental health disorder, speak with a mental health professional. They will be able to better determine whether or not your child needs professional help, and to what extent.
What Signs Should I Look Out For?
There are some telltale signs of addiction that can be seen in people of all ages—including teens.
Some things to look out for include:
· Neglecting school
· Physical changes in weight and appearance
· Risk-taking
· Anxiety and paranoia
· Signs of lack of sleep
· Isolation
· Inability or unwillingness to meet obligations
· Unusual smells
· Irritability and changes in mood
· Mood swings
Remember: one or two of these symptoms may not be indicative of mental illness or addiction. There are a lot of reasons, for instance, that your teen may be neglecting school, and mood swings can be caused by hormones.
If a lot of these symptoms are apparent or if the few that you notice are severe, reach out to Front Door Health. We will meet with your family to determine whether or not the issue is related to mental health or substance use.
Treatment As Usual
Your initial instinct may be to go the “treatment as usual” route. The problem with “treatment as usual” is that it can get in the way of your teen’s studies. Inpatient centers often require your student to take a semester off—causing them to fall behind. Even outpatient treatment has its issues. As your child will need to visit a treatment center for hours at a time, multiple days a week, it can be easy for them to fall behind on their schoolwork.
So, what option is best for your teen?
At-Home Treatment for Your Teen
At Front Door Health, we offer in-home treatment for patients of all ages, including teenagers.
We understand that it can be difficult for your teen to put their life on hold and take time off school. Our in-home treatment allows patients to continue to meet their school, family, pet, and other obligations while receiving the treatment they deserve.
We take a scientific approach to treatment, and we create custom treatment plans for our patients to increase their chances of success. Our team believes patients should get the treatment they need when they need it. That’s why we offer immediate treatment for patients. We also provide 24/7 treatment services for our patients. We are here when patients need us!
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, contact Front Door Health today. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide your child with the help they need.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
