It can be quite common for teenagers and adolescents to try alcohol, drugs, and other chemical substances recreationally. This is not necessarily a cause for concern and does not always result in chemical dependency or abuse.
Read ahead to learn more about chemical dependency, the risk factors for your child developing a chemical dependency, signs you should look out for, and the appropriate treatment approaches.
What is Adolescent Chemical Dependency?
Adolescent chemical dependency is when young adults use chemical substances like drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for everyday stress and problems. This extends beyond recreational use of drugs and alcohol and can result in the emergence of lifelong chemical dependency, drug abuse problems, or addiction.
Adolescents are especially vulnerable to developing chemical dependencies because of their age and the stage of mental development.
Risk Factors for Developing Chemical Dependence Tendencies
There are several reasons why an adolescent may develop a chemical dependency. We call these reasons to be risk factors. Some common risk factors for adolescents include:
- Lack of parental supervision
- A poor relationship with their parents and family
- Conflict in family lives and friend circles
- A history of chemical dependency in their family
- Psychological distress or PTSD
- Unstable mental health
- Impulsive personalities
Signs to Look Out for if You Think Your Child May Have Chemical Dependence Tendencies
The earlier a problem like the chemical dependency is detected and the earlier you can help provide treatment for your child, the more likely they will be to overcome their dependency and live a normal and happy life.
It is up to you, as a parent, to understand whether your child is simply experimenting with drugs and alcohol or if they are falling down the path of chemical dependency.
If you think that your child may be developing chemical dependency or substance abuse problems, here are some signs you can look out for:
- Drugs, alcohol, or drug paraphernalia in the home
- A sudden or unexpected change in their behavior at school or a drop in their grades
- A sudden change in who they spend time with or changes in their friend circle
- Behavioral changes like extreme irritability or unprovoked hostility
- Behavioral changes like introversion, isolation, depression, or distancing
- Problems with memory and increased forgetfulness
- Physical changes like losing weight, red eyes, sore throats
- Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
Treatment Approaches for Adolescent Chemical Dependency
There are various forms of treatment when it comes to adolescent chemical dependency. The most common treatment options include therapy, individual or with the family, and rehabilitation programs at residential recovery centers.
Therapy has made a big difference in the lives of adolescents who suffer from chemical dependency. However, therapy is best when combined with rehabilitation programs. There are a few different kinds of programs that can be considered, including partial hospitalization (PHP) for psychiatric care, intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for comprehensive therapeutic services, and outpatient programs (OP) for continued support once your child is back home.
As a parent, you can play a huge role in your child’s path. If you spot any signs of chemical dependency, you must act on it and try to first openly communicate with your child. Inaccurate or harmful accusations can cause more harm than good, but a parent’s intuition is not something to be ignored.
Akron House Recovery – Your Home on the Road to Recovery
If you or your loved one are suffering from a chemical dependency and feel like you might benefit from a rehabilitation facility, you should consider Akron House Recovery in Cleveland, Ohio.
Akron House Recovery is an intensive outpatient and day-treatment program delivering evidence-based interventions and therapeutic modalities to improve the lives of those suffering from addiction and mental health co-occurring disorders.
The team at Akron House is fully committed to providing our clients with the best possible chance of long-term recovery. Using progressive and holistic approaches, we provide the right atmosphere to allow you to heal and recover.
If you wish to get in touch with us, we are located at 24 North High St Akron, Ohio, 44308. You can also call us at 888.202.4232 to set up a free consultation or message us at [email protected].
