Signs of drug or alcohol addiction in teenagers – Teenage drug opiate addiction in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta and British Columbia – Alcohol and Drug Addictions – Options Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating drug opiate, fentanyl, heroin and alcohol addiction and addiction recovery programs.
Teenager Drug Addiction in Alberta & BC
Drug addiction is serious at any age but is particularly problematic for teens. On a physical level, drugs impact teenagers differently than adults. People who use drugs during their adolescence are also more likely to struggle with sobriety later in life.
Drugs are being introduced to today’s children earlier than ever, with up to 37% of kids having tried drugs by the time they reach 8th grade. The addiction rate among teens is somewhere around 22%, which is far higher than it should be.
Teenage life is far from easy, putting kids in this age group at a higher risk of developing a drug addiction. Teens often struggle with issues like anxiety, poor self-worth, feelings of being out of control, or difficulty expressing their emotions. Problems like these increase the likelihood of teens turning to drugs. Unfortunately, what starts as casual drug use often leads to addiction.
Drugs provide relief by lessening any pain that teens are feeling on either an emotional or physical level. They alter the way that they view the world, keeping them from feeling as lonely or hopeless. Being high dulls their emotions, offering a reprieve from pain.
If you have a teenager, it is important to watch for signs of addiction. Several signs that could indicate a problem include:
- Unexplained behavioral changes
- Eyes that looked glazed-over or dull
- Always feeling tired
- Poor academic performance
- Telling lies or taking items that don’t belong to them
- Isolating themselves from their friends or giving up activities that they once enjoyed
If you think your teen may be addicted to drugs, there are some important steps to take.
Start by listening to your gut. If you suspect something is wrong, you probably are correct.
Discuss your concerns with your teenager, choosing a time and place where they feel safe and supported. Remain honest and open throughout the conversation, really listening to what they say. Try not to judge. Instead, try to see things from their perspective to get a better sense of how they are feeling.
Use this opportunity to let your teenager know how their addiction makes you feel. You most likely are scared for them, concerned about their well-being and their future. Approach this conversation in a non-judgmental way. Otherwise, your teen probably won’t listen to what you have to say. If you have any experience with drugs or if you have observed others using them in the past, talk about it with your teen. While approaching a subject like this is uncomfortable, it can help your teen feel more connected, making it more likely that they will listen.
When you love someone and are extremely close to them, it is often difficult to acknowledge that they have a problem with drugs. This is one situation, however, where you can’t turn a blind eye. You need to act quickly to ensure that they get help. You may have to try to reach them multiple times before you connect. Once you do, however, you can help your teenager get on the path to recovery.
Addiction is a Trap and the Bait is having the Conviction that you won’t get Caught.
Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.
Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.
Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.
Our (Kelowna) Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program Location:
(Not Mailing Address) – Contact Us – Web Page
For Mail Delivery :: Please contact each center for correct mailing addresses, also this location is the location of our residential treatment programs in Kelowna. Please call Toll Free 1-855-335-0331 – to contact the treatment center you are going to for the address and directions.
Options Okanagan Drug and Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331
