The experts tell us that teen drug abuse statistics are looking better. And, overall, they do. They also show a shift in the substances that teens abuse now. Moreover, statistical rate drops don’t mean anything to you if your teen is struggling with an addiction.
There are many things to consider before talking about teenage drug abuse statistics. Not all teens will become addicted to drugs if they experiment, but some could become addicted even after only one time trying it. Addiction is a disease and does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter what social or financial background your teen comes from, addiction can happen to them. This means that if you suspect that they are struggling with drug abuse, then it’s entirely possible that they are.
Do you know the signs of teen drug abuse and addiction that are red flags for you to take action? Do you have the tools to help your teenager through their struggle? If not, then please continue reading so that you can be better prepared for this conversation.
If you need immediate answers about a substance abuse rehab center, call us at 866.957.7885 today.
Statistical Evidence Shows Decrease in Substance Abuse and Shift in Thinking
The National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teachers (NIDA) released an infographic summarizing its 2019 teen drug abuse survey findings. It’s crucial to note that they feature responses by teens in grades 8, 10, and 12. Nearly 400 schools participated, which resulted in a response from around 42,500 students.
- Marijuana use is up for younger students. Data shows that over 6.6% of 8th graders and 18.4% of 10th graders use marijuana. Both trends show a upward motion. However, nearly 23% of 12th graders use the drug, which is an upward trend.
- Older students don’t see marijuana as harmful. In fact, 70% of 12th graders don’t believe that regular use is detrimental even though 69% claim they don’t approve of it.
- Alcohol consumption is prevalent among high school seniors. Although drinking among teens is going down overall, high school seniors are abusing the substance at a rate of 58.5%.
- Prescription drug abuse rates have also dropped among 12th graders. The misuse of prescription opioids has dropped from 4.8% in 2014 to 1.1% in 2019 of high school seniors.
What Statistics on Teen Drug Abuse Don’t Say
Even as smoking among high schoolers is decreasing, vaping is on the rise. This shift in nicotine delivery system can make it sound like the anti-smoking message is working for teens. It’s much more likely that the popularity of a new nicotine product with a certain coolness factor is taking over. This makes it questionable whether there isn’t a new delivery system for other drugs, too.
Another set of NIDA statistics marks a two-fold rise in overdose deaths nationwide. When breaking it down by drug type, opioids had the largest increase. While prescription drug overdose fatalities remain steady over the years, heroin deaths marked the biggest boost. On another note, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World explains that alcohol leads to more teen deaths than the combination of other drugs.
Consider also that for all the teens who do speak openly about their drug use, there’s a shadow population that doesn’t. They may not feel safe or simply don’t want interviewers to pry into their lives. It’s also difficult to gauge how representative the sample of survey respondents may be. In short, if you’re the parent of a teen, don’t assume that a low statistical likelihood means your child is safe.
Teen Drug Abuse Treatment
At San Antonio Recovery Center, we know that teen drug abuse is a disease. That’s why we treat a variety of substance addictions—we want to help your teen overcome the disease that is addiction. Our teen drug abuse treatment centers offer rehab programs that can help you.
From withdrawal and detox on through to therapy, San Antonio Recovery Center is with you every step of the way. No matter the substance, the intensity of your teen’s addiction, or how long your teen has been addicted, we can help your family. Forms of teen drug abuse treated at San Antonio Recovery Center include:
- Adderall Addiction
- Alcohol Addiction
- Ambien Addiction
- Benzo Addiction
- Cocaine Addiction
- Codeine Addiction
- Crack Addiction
- Crystal Meth Addiction
- Fentanyl Addiction
- Heroin Addiction
- Hydrocodone Addiction
- Klonopin Addiction
- Marijuana Addiction
- MDMA Addiction
- Meth Addiction
- Methadone Addiction
- Opiate Addiction
- Opioid Addiction
- Oxycodone Addiction
- Oxycontin Addiction
- Percocet Addiction
- Polysubstance Addictions
- Prescription Drug Addiction
- Tramadol Addiction
- Valium Addiction
- Vicodin Addiction
- Xanax Addiction
A Teen Outpatient Drug Treatment Center Can Help
Whether you’ve caught your teen abusing a drug or he or she confessed to drug use, there’s hope. Affordable addiction rehab programs give your teen the opportunity to recover with a customized treatment protocol. If you’re a teen currently trapped in the cycle of drug addiction, don’t give up. Remember that quite often health insurance covers addiction rehab. Call 866.957.7885 today, and reach out to the knowledgeable and friendly therapists at San Antonio Recovery Center for help.
