Despite being two different terms, addiction and abuse are closely related. It is important to know the difference between the two which helps in identifying the correct treatment intervention required. With the right identification of the problem, the accurate road to recovery can begin in earnest.
Adolescence or the teen years is that curious phase of life when experimentation with drugs and alcohol begins. While some abuse drugs and alcohol for some time, others prolong the abuse leading to dependency and then addiction.
According to experts, drug or alcohol abuse is often overlooked and remains undiagnosed. The problem is identified only during an emergency. However, if parents are vigilant and keep a look out for certain signs, teen drug and alcohol abuse can be identified at the earliest. Alcohol or drug abuse by adolescents and teens can be identified by the following symptoms:
Identifying abuse often becomes difficult. An adolescent who abuses drugs has control over their usage. Incidents of abuse might be limited only to weekends and during parties. Due to the false perception about usage control, drug or alcohol abuse often leads to addiction or chemical dependence.
However, it does not take long for an abuse to turn into an addiction. Addiction can be identified by the following behavioral characteristics:
Physical characteristics that can point to an addiction include:
Apart from the physical and behavioral changes, an addiction to drugs and alcohol is also characterized by the following:
Addiction treatment tends to become difficult due to the social stigma attached to it. A sense of shame and guilt is associated with drug and alcohol addiction. For parents of teens, it is a dreadful experience to see their children become victims of abuse and addiction. however, parents must realize that an addiction is a brain disease and therefore, can be treated just like any other physical illness.
ADEONA Healthcare understands that in the case of a teen, special care needs to be taken to choose the right treatment protocol. Compassionate care combined with personalized treatment modalities would go a long way in ensuring long-lasting recovery from teen alcohol and drug addiction.
To learn more about the addiction treatment plans offered at ADEONA Healthcare, call our 24/7 hotline (888) 379-9360. You can also chat online with our admission counselor to understand how we can help your troubled teen heal and live the happy life that they deserve.