Teen Substance Abuse
Facts about Teen Substance Abuse
Many young people experience a curiosity or pressure from friends to use alcohol and/or drugs. In fact in 2007:
- 9.5 percent of youths aged 12 to 17 were current illicit drug users.
- 10.7 million people aged 12 to 20 had used alcohol within the past month.
- 85.9 percent of people aged 12 or older who initiated alcohol use in the past year did so before they reached the legal age of 21.
- As many as 4.7 million teens said they had misused a prescription drug at some point in their lives. “Pharming” parties are becoming popular among junior high and high school students, where students trade and misuse controlled prescription drugs.
What Are the Warning Signs of Teen Substance Abuse?
Signs that may be red-flag indicators of drug or alcohol use among students include:
- A drop in grades at school, or skipping or being late for school
- Difficulty paying attention or remembering things
- Changes in friends, sudden avoidance of old crowd, or hesitancy to talk about new friends
- Slow or staggering walk, poor physical coordination
- Red, watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than usual; blank stare
- Smell of substance abuse on breath, body, or clothes
- Tremors or shakes in hands, feed, or head
How Educators Can Help Students
Educators should recognize certain behaviors or changes in students’ attitudes. Doing so could help young people successfully overcome a crisis and develop more effective coping skills, often preventing further problems. If you believe a student, or someone in his or her home, is suffering from a substance abuse disorder:
- Engage a student assistance program or social worker and offer support to help the student.
- Take the time to speak with his or her parents, or directly with the student if the parent is suspected of having a problem, and help develop a plan of action.
- Come prepared with different options for treatment, such as mutual support groups and inpatient or outpatient facilities. For teens, encourage them to become involved with Alateen, which offers support for teens who have a family member or friend suffering with an alcohol or drug problem.
- During the initial stages of recovery, supportive adult influences, including teachers, parents, and others, will make the most difference.