In the last year, over 400,000 people between the ages of 12 and 17 met the criteria for an alcohol use disorder, and roughly 800,000 met the criteria for an illegal drug use disorder. Not only that, but approximately 50% of all teenagers have misused a drug at least once in their life.
Teen drug addiction continues to be an enormous problem that puts millions of teenagers at risk of slowed development, self-harm, and even death. The good news is addiction can be treated, and teenagers addicted to drugs can recover – preventing the addiction from getting any worse.
While addiction can be treated, the real question is, how many teens affected by addiction actually get the help they so desperately need and deserve? Better yet, what can we do to put teenagers in a better position to recover from drug addiction and regain control of their lives?
Teenagers addicted to drugs need immediate treatment if they’re going to overcome their addiction in a safe and effective manner. Unfortunately, a lot of teens affected by addiction won’t receive the help they need. As a result, the addiction and consequences will grow worse.
The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics estimates that while there are over one million teenagers that require treatment for drug addiction in the US, only about 160,000 (16%) of those teenagers will get the help they need. That means there are over 840,000 that don’t get help.
That’s a staggering number that should incentivize parents, friends, family members, teachers, and other key role models in a teenager’s life to lead by example. Not only that, but it’s important we detect these problems early and take action immediately to prevent them from growing worse.
It’s no secret that drug addiction in teens is a big problem in the United States today – as it has been for decades. This is extremely concerning, especially considering how important our teenage years are to our overall growth and development. The result could be life-altering.
For those of you that were shocked by the statistic we gave you earlier about treatment rates, be prepared for more shocking statistics and facts about drug addiction in teens below:
If we want to live in a world where teenagers grow and develop in a drug-free environment, we must first recognize the problem and identify areas of improvement moving forward. We need to make sure teenagers addicted to drugs receive the treatment they so desperately deserve.
Drug addiction and substance abuse can have a severe impact on a teenager’s mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social health if not treated in a timely manner.
Thrive Teen is a mental health treatment center in Santa Monica, CA. Our treatment programs are designed specifically to meet the needs of teens and adolescents in Southern California. We understand that each teenager requires a unique, personalized, and custom treatment plan to meet their individual goals. At Thrive Teen, we utilize a combination of modern and traditional therapeutic practices to promote a sober life and improve overall health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about our Santa Monic teen program or get your son or daughter started with the teenage addiction recovery process, don’t hesitate to contact us today – we can’t wait to help!
