For a parent, recognizing the signs that your teen is using drugs or alcohol can be challenging. It’s difficult to acknowledge that your child may be engaging in risky behaviors, but it’s important to be aware of the signs so you can address the issue head-on. Reaching out to a teen addiction treatment center can provide your child with the support they need to overcome their substance use disorder.
Three Signs of Alcohol or Drug Addiction in Teens
1. Secretive Behavior
Especially for teens who recently were previously open to parental figures and adults, secretive behavior is often a sign that something is wrong. If your teen suddenly starts locking their bedroom door, being tight-lipped about their social plans, or giving you evasive answers when you ask them questions, it may be time to have a conversation about drug and alcohol use.
2. Loss of Interest in School and Friends
When teens start to leave behind childhood friends and spend more time with an older group, they could be exposed to alcohol and drugs leading to alcohol addiction or drug addiction. They might start to lose interest in school and hobbies they once loved. If you see a change in your teen’s social life or school performance, it may be a sign that they’re using drugs or alcohol.
3. Physical Signs
Teens who are using drugs or alcohol can exhibit physical signs of their substance abuse. For example, they may have:
- Red or glassy eyes
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Weight loss or gain
- Slurred speech
- Poor coordination
- Nosebleeds
- Tremors
- Sores
The Right Step’s Approach to Teen Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
The Right Step’s adolescent drug and alcohol recovery program was developed to provide for the specific needs of youth. Duration of treatment, whether they enroll in a residential or intensive outpatient program, aftercare planning, and assistance with transitioning to a productive future vary from client to client. The program engages teens in a recovery-based lifestyle and begins the process of making a lifelong connection to AA/NA. In addition to attending an accredited on-site school, clients in our adolescent addiction treatment program focus on teaching personal accountability, respect, communication skills, and the necessary tools to achieve long-term sobriety, while also incorporating a variety of leisure and recreational activities.
Just a few of the therapies that teens in our programs might participate in include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy – CBT helps teens understand the thoughts and emotions that contribute to their substance use so they can make positive changes
- Dialectical behavior therapy – DBT focuses on building positive coping skills to deal with stress and negative emotions
- Individual therapy – Addiction recovery is a process that looks different for everyone, so individualized therapy sessions help each teen work through their unique challenges
- Family therapy – Family therapy sessions help heal communication breakdowns and build a support system for recovery
Breaking free of addiction is possible, and early intervention is key. If you’re concerned that your teen may be using drugs or alcohol, don’t wait to get help. Reach out to The Right Step to learn about our teen addiction treatment program and how we can help your family heal.
Contact The Right Step Today
With nearly twenty years of experience, The Right Step is known as one of the country’s greatest values in addiction treatment and offers both adolescent inpatient and outpatient programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Additionally, we have seven other outpatient programs throughout Texas, making our programs accessible no matter where you are in the state. Our admissions counselors are available 24/7 to answer any questions you have about our programs and how we can help your family. Learn more by reaching out to our team today at 17135283709.
