Addiction to substances such as drugs and alcohol is a challenge for teens. More than 600,000 young adults struggle with an illicit drug use disorder. If you believe that your teen has a substance use disorder, it is time to find the proper support to help them become sober. At Destinations for Teens, teen substance…
It’s no secret that teen drug experimentation often begins recreationally. In time, teens will desire the feeling they get from being high and abuse drugs more often. Teen drug use puts them at risk emotionally, mentally, and physically. As a parent, it is your responsibility to notice the signs of your young adult using drugs.…
Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. When taken in small doses, Vyvanse can be effective. However, like all psychoactive drugs, Vyvanse can be misused and overused. If you believe that Vyvanse use is causing harmful side effects, a good drug treatment program can help you build the skills…
When you’re young, it can seem impossible to get someone to listen to you. Many teens turn to alcohol to deal with depression and other issues that seem to dominate their lives. While alcohol abuse rates have steadily declined among teens over the past few decades, it remains an issue that threatens that age group’s…
COVID-19 has turned our worlds upside down in a split second — for people of all ages. Perhaps no change has been more disorienting than online learning. Without warning, our teenagers were ushered out of school and forced to resume with teachers and classmates through computers and cellphones. The expectation was that they would keep…
Substance abuse does not discriminate. It can affect anyone. It does not matter your age or your gender, you can develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Teens are very delicate individuals who are still developing mentally. This makes them curious about many things, including drugs and alcohol. Parents should talk to their teens about…
Talking with your child about drugs and alcohol frequently will keep the child aware of your position regarding drug abuse. Being interested in what your child does, who his or her friends are, and where they go is vitally important to ensure that the child will not associate with drug users.
Although the basic organization of the brain occurs when a baby is in the womb, the brain continues to refine its connections throughout childhood and adolescence. Some experiences, such as learning a new language, or playing a musical instrument, strengthen key connections in the brain. However, other choices, such as using drugs or alcohol, are…
Although drug abuse has declined in the past 20 years (1), teens are using certain substances, like marijuana, more than ever. Mental illness and substance abuse in teens requires treatment, as co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to live a healthy and normal life. While all teens and adolescents experience anxiety, stress, and sadness, some…
Teen depression and substance abuse are closely linked. Mental health problems can lead to self-medicating, where you use drugs and/or alcohol to alleviate symptoms like sadness. About 8% of adolescents suffer from depression, and 11.5% of high school seniors use illicit drugs other than marijuana at least annually. (1) The teenage years are stressful, awkward,…