Adolescence and Statistics Defined
Adolescents are young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years of age involved in significant changes taking place in their physical, intellectual, sexual, social, and personality development. Often, the most important learning task of an adolescent is a search for their own identify and a struggle for independence. By the 8th grade, 28% of adolescents have consumed alcohol, 15% have smoked cigarettes, and 16.5% have used marijuana. Adolescent users are at significantly higher risk of developing an addictive disorder compared to adults, and the earlier they began using, the higher their risk.
Addictive Behavior
There are several warning signs your adolescent is abusing alcohol or other drugs:
1. Drastic changes in appetite or sleep patterns, such as performing either less or more.
2. There is a change in their physical appearance. Generally, adolescents are concerned about how they look, but if they are abusing substances, then they focus less on their appearance as their addiction increases.
3. Withdrawal from school activities, friends, and family.
4. Needing more money and being secretive about their spending habits.
5. There is a marked change in their attitude and personality which is aberrant from normal hormonal changes.
6. Getting more in trouble than normal, especially if they are developing new and unusual friends who just like hanging out.
7. If your adolescent was once responsible and is now becoming irrational and unpredictable while also neglecting responsibilities, this may be a sign of substance abuse.
Seeking Help
If these symptoms and sign are concerning to you, then it may be time to talk to some of the medical professionals and counselors available in drug and alcohol treatment facilities. Adolescent drug rehab facilities are usually private, peaceful, and beautiful, designed to be a safe haven and a springboard for holistic treatment services to deliver therapeutic amenities with all the comforts of home. When adolescents are admitted to an adolescent drug rehab Los Angeles facility they are given a mental and physical assessment, partial hospitalization and medically supervised detox if needed, family therapy treatment, adolescent group therapy, educational programs, a 12-step program, physical fitness programs, and recreational therapy such as volunteering, horseback riding, bowling, movies, and miniature golf. Adolescent drug rehab facilities in Los Angeles not only provide top quality drug and alcohol recovery programs, but they also offer help with adolescent eating disorders, teen mental health disorders, and adolescent co-occurring disorders (such as anxiety or depression paired with substance abuse).
Benefits of Treatment Centers
Reputable adolescent or teen treatment centers in Southern California provide evidence based treatment programs which help young people recover wholly from substance abuse, addiction, depression, anxiety, and more. At quality treatment centers, adolescents learn how to take charge of their lives again no matter whether they are dealing with the chronic disease of addiction or mental health issues, as patients learn the skills they need to cope with the stress of daily life in a healthier manner. Adolescents and teens, who are suffering from a drug and/or alcohol addiction, require special care and professional treatment which precisely addresses their specific physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual developmental levels. Adolescent drug rehab facilities in Los Angeles have experienced staff and facilities to help teens and adolescents receive safe medical detoxification services and programs to help them overcome their low self-esteem, self-injurious behaviors, depression or anger. A top quality adolescent treatment center can provide the help struggling teens need to get back on the right track, heading towards a bright future. If you live near the Los Angeles area and you’re looking for adolescent drug rehab facilities worthy of making your shortlist, look no further than the qualified and caring professionals found at the Adolescent Growth center.