Teens experience many changes and challenges in adolescence. They can be impulsive and might engage in risky or dangerous behavior. A teen’s brain is rapidly developing and growing, and it receives and retains a large amount of information every day. Some teens are susceptible to peer pressure, which puts them at high risk of trying drugs or alcohol. Depending on the drug, your teen can become addicted after just one try.
If you are concerned about your teen’s drug and alcohol use, our team can help. At Fort Behavioral Health in Fort Worth, Texas, we offer an outstanding female-only teen addiction treatment program that gives young women a strong foundation for recovery. Our rehab program promotes a healthy lifestyle free from teen drug and alcohol use.
Household Products and Teen Addiction
Teen drug and alcohol use might not be visible in your teen’s bedroom, but there are many household products that some teens use to get high. For example, kids are drinking alcohol extracted from hand sanitizer, which results in serious health complications.
Nutmeg is a spice that is ingested or smoked in large quantities for its euphoric effects. Mikaela Conley wrote an article on nutmeg being used as a hallucinogenic for ABCNews, (2010), which states, “Nutmeg contains myristicin, a natural compound that has mind-altering effects if ingested in large doses. The buzz can last one to two days and can be hallucinogenic, much like LSD.” It causes seizures, cardiac damage, and death.
Cough syrup contains an ingredient called dextromethorphan (DXM), which is a legal cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cough syrups. It acts as a “dissociative anesthetic” like ketamine or PCP in high doses. According to an article published for the University of Maryland, Center for Substance Abuse Research, “high-dose chronic use of DXM can lead to the development of toxic psychosis – a mental condition characterized by a loss of contact with reality along with a confused state – as well as other physiological and behavioral problems.”
Signs of Teen Drug Use and Alcohol Use
Teen drug and alcohol use can cause your teen to become verbally abusive and aggressive. They could become destructive and destroy things in your home. Another of the signs of teen alcohol use or drug use is when your teen withdraws from family and friends and spends a lot of time alone. Sudden unwanted behavior in school can be indicative of teen addiction. Depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions can lead to drug use as a way to cope. Further signs of teen drug use or alcohol use include:
- Isolation
- Changes in physical appearance, including changes in weight
- Dilated pupils or bloodshot eyes
- Shakes, tremors, or seizures
- Disruptive sleep patterns
- Problems at work or school
- Frequently gets in trouble
- Mood changes
If you notice these signs of teen drug use or alcohol use, it may be time to reach out for help. At Fort Behavioral Health, our female-only addiction treatment and rehab programs are designed to guide young women through the recovery process. The compassionate Fort Behavioral Health team is committed to helping your teen end their dependence on drugs or alcohol.
Fort Behavioral Health’s Addiction Therapy Programs
At Fort Behavioral Health, our team recognizes that a holistic approach to addiction treatment is often the most effective method. As such, we provide a range of addiction therapy programs so that each person in our care receives the personalized treatment plan they might need for genuine, long-lasting recovery. This type of comprehensive care is also used in our adolescent treatment program so that teens can identify and heal from the underlying causes of their addiction, including mental health disorders or trauma.
Our addiction therapy programs include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Somatic experiencing program
- Motivational interviewing program
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
- Trauma therapy program
Because we provide such an extended range of therapy options, our clients have a higher chance of success in their recovery journeys. Reach out to Fort Behavioral Health today to find out how we can help your teen find healing and support in our therapy programs. We
Find Solutions for Your Teen’s Drug and Alcohol Use Today
Teen drug and alcohol use can have detrimental effects on your teen’s brain. It is essential to remember not to shame your teenager. Shame will only accelerate teen drug and alcohol use. If your teen is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, it is crucial that you get them into an addiction treatment program specifically designed for young females today, such as the rehab program at Fort Behavioral Health. Our modern facility in Fort Worth, Texas, gives young women a safe place to experience life without drugs or alcohol. Addiction can be isolating, but your teen is not alone. There is hope for recovery at Fort Behavioral Health.
The Fort Worth Recovery umbrella covers medically supervised detox, as well as residential programs for men and women alike. Our programs are abstinence-based and combine a 12-step approach with a strong mental health component, integrating cutting-edge techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization, and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), somatic experiencing, and motivational interviewing. For more information or to start your healing journey, please fill out a contact request form or call 844.332.1807, and one of our recovery experts will connect with you shortly.