Teen alcohol and drug use is a significant concern in the United States, with alcohol being the most widely used substance among young people [1]. Many young people have their first encounter with drugs and alcohol during puberty, leaving their parents to navigate through both of these challenging times at once. At Ember Recovery, we aim to empower parents with the tools they need to help their teens steer clear of all substances. This guide can help parents when it comes to puberty and substance use and keeping their teens on the right path.
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Puberty and Substance Use: How Common is Drug and Alcohol Use Among Teens?
Statistics reveal alarming information when it comes to the first time boys and girls try drugs and alcohol. The average American girl has already had her first drink by age 13 and boys by age 11 [2]. Young people who start drinking during that time are six times more likely to become dependent on alcohol or misuse it later in life compared to those who start drinking at the legal age of 21 or after.
Tobacco and marijuana are also popular drugs among teens. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the average age of a teen’s first marijuana use is 14 [3]. Besides marijuana, many teens may also experiment with prescription drugs, which are the second most commonly abused behind marijuana [4]. Prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, Vicodin, Xanax, Valium, and Adderall are the most common. These types of drugs are more likely to be abused than street drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines.
Peer pressure is one of the main reasons why teens may start to use drugs and alcohol. The pressure to make friends and fit in can lead them to make dangerous choices. Many teens are also exposed to images of drug and alcohol use on social media, which makes them curious to see what the hype is about. But these images rarely give accurate portrayals of the consequences of drugs and alcohol and lead teens down a dangerous path.
The Dangers of Alcohol and Drug Use for Teens
An adolescent’s brain is still developing, so when young adults start doing drugs and drinking excessively, they are interfering with the developmental processes that occur in the brain [5]. This is because young people’s brains are still growing and developing until their mid-20s, so anything that interferes with that can hinder development.
Their decision-making skills can also be impacted. When a teen is doing drugs or binge drinking, they may be more likely to engage in risky behavior such as dangerous driving and unsafe sex. The earlier young people start using drugs, the greater the chances they will continue using them and become addicted later in life.
When teens take drugs and alcohol, they can have problems in school. Their grades may decline as their addiction worsens, and they pay more attention to substances rather than their school work.
A substance abuse disorder can also lead to mental health issues. For many teens, drug and alcohol use can cause depression and anxiety. When this happens, teens need to be treated for both addiction and mental health issues simultaneously.
How to Help Your Teen Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
Encourage Open Communication About Puberty and Substance Use
It’s important to talk to your teen about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Be open about the negative impact they can have and that even experimenting can lead to substance use disorders. Explain that experimenting at this young age can lead to a high risk of long-term substance use.
They should feel comfortable coming to you to talk about tough topics like puberty, drugs, and alcohol. The more comfortable they feel, the more they will come to you to ask any questions they may have. You want them to get the correct answers from you rather than the wrong answers from friends.
Stay Involved Without Being Intrusive
Find the right balance of staying involved in your teen’s life without intruding. You want to know who they are going out with and what they are doing. Many times, teens can get in with the wrong crowd, which can lead them to use substances.
Tell your teen why you want to know who they’re with and where they’re going so they don’t think you’re intrusive. While this can be a delicate balance, you want to stress that you care about them and are interested in their actions and with whom.
Help Them Find Activities
Boredom can lead to drug or alcohol use [6]. Encourage your teen to find activities they are interested in to avoid boredom. Whether it’s a sport, club, or hobby, help them look for activities that make the most of their talents and include interests they want to explore. This will not only keep them busy and prevent boredom but can also help them make new friends.
Be Empathetic & Supportive When Navigating Both Puberty and Substance Use
We were all teenagers once. Try to remember how difficult these years can be and offer support. Be empathetic to the challenges teens face now because they are likely far more complex than the ones you once met. Remind them that while everyone struggles, drugs and alcohol aren’t the answers to coping.
Talk to Them About How to Say No
There is a strong chance that your teen will face peer pressure to drink or try drugs sometime during puberty. Talk to them about how they’re going to say no. Many teens don’t know what to say if placed in the situation and may end up just trying a substance so that they don’t get harassed. Having a game plan in their back pocket can help them be more prepared.
Seeking Substance Abuse Treatment at Ember Recovery
If your teen is dealing with a substance abuse disorder, Ember Recovery is here to help. Our programs focus solely on young adults and the challenges they face. We get to know your teen and their specific issues so that we can devise a treatment plan that will give them the best chance at a successful recovery. Call us today or contact us online to learn more.
Sources:
[1] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/underage-drinking [2] https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/Prevention-Unit/Prevention-Files/Underage-Drinking [3] https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Teens-Alcohol-And-Other-Drugs-003 [4] https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/161/Teen-Prescription-Drug-Abuse [5] https://medlineplus.gov/drugsandyoungpeople.html [6] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/heartache-hope/201304/boredom-possible-road-addiction
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.