***SAMHSA’s Treatment and Referral Center (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration)
National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 confidential, free, Open 24Hrs/365 days/yr
Drug and Alcohol addiction has steadily been on the rise for the past decade. It can affect families of all ethnicities, all ages, all sexes and people of all socio-economic statuses. In 2019, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) reported 70,989 overdoses occurred in the US, 50,042 of which were from opioid use (Oxycodone, Morphine, Hydrocodone) which is an increase from 67,367 cases in 2018. Approximately 824,196 calls were made to The SAMHSA Hotline in 2018. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration with a 24/7 Open 365 Days/Yr. The National Hotline & Referral Center for Drug and Mental Health is available for all Supportive needs whether you have Insurance, No Insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.. EVERYONE! Drug addiction for most usually begins from social situations and peer pressure with the use of recreational drugs and then escalating use to again feel the hypnotic "high feeling." Not all drug use will lead to addiction but research has shown the earlier the drug use starts the higher the likely hood for addiction (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112).
This is increasingly a challenge for teenagers. We know during the Teenage years, the brain in the area of decision making (frontal & temporal lobes as well as limbic system) are still underdeveloped; so teenagers lack full self-control, judgment and decision abilities are not fully functional as an adult. Add in hormonal changes and you have a Teenager. Per the NIH, the brain development may not be completed until the age of 25 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621648/)
Not all teenagers will have substance abuse issues and not all teenagers make bad decision, but the accumulative effect of brain growth, body growth hormones added with peer pressure does put them at a higher risk for risky behaviors & poor decision making. So as they experiment, some may enjoy the "high" feeling, then may require more to obtain that feeling. As some escalate to more frequent use and experiment with other drugs to "feel good," they may feel challenged if they try to go without. Addiction of any type affects the entire family and family dynamics. The cycles and variations in mood swings of the addict especially in parents can have long term lasting affects on each member of the family and many times it is combined with Co-dependence. Co-dependence related to addiction is a person within a relationship that enables/goes along with situation. Sometimes the co-dependent is also a user but continues to enable the situation. In order to break the cycle, it easiest to not starting it. A possible way is by opening conversations with teens, preparing them for the peer pressure, the "high" feeling then the "low" feeling, the escalations, the physical symptoms associated with withdrawal, the rehabilitation and explain yes for some, there is death. Early intervention vs years of allowing addiction also helps stop the cycle and allows all to heal. SAMHSA is available to able to help with National Referrals for local treatment options and support for the entire family and finally breaking the cycle; helping You and Your Family Live the Best Life YET.