Troubled Teens Resources

It is often the case that a teen abusing drugs also suffers from emotional problems,but,not always. Sometimes teenage drug abuse may be the result of peer pressure or simple rebellion. Yes, that would indicate that the troubled teen lacked a sense of self sufficient to resist pressure but it doesn’t necessarily indicate emotional or psychological problems.

Addict or Rebel

Aaron and Justin were busted smoking a joint on school property.

“I was just mad,. I didn’t even really like the feeling pot gives me but my folks are pissing me off so , who cares.”

This from young Aaron who used drugs, not to escape a painful reality, but as an act of rebellion. Young Aaron has some maturity problems but he is emotionally healthy and not at high risk for teenage drug abuse.

Justin on the other hand has been using pot for over a year and was beginning to play with ecstasy. Justin was rebellious as well as angry. A quiet boy with few friends and an abusive father,he fell into a different category than Aaron and was at high risk for a long run at addiction.

How can a parent determine if a teen is simply rebelling or has started using drugs because of underlying psychological problems?

Categories of Substance abuse

Here are three categories of substance abuse that give you a range of severity.

Use: The occasional use of alcohol or other drugs without developing tolerance or withdrawal symptoms when not in use.

Abuse: The continued use of alcohol or other drugs even while knowing that the continued use is creating problems socially, physically, or psychologically.

Dependence: At least three of the following factors must be present:

• a. Substance is taken in larger amounts or over longer periods of time than the person intended.
• b. A persistent desire with unsuccessful efforts to
• control the use.
• c. Large periods of time spent obtaining, taking, or recovering from, the substance.
• d. Frequent periods of intoxication or detoxification especially when social and major role obligations are expected (school, social situations, etc.)
• e. Continued use even while knowing that the continued use is creating problems socially, physically, and/or psychologically.
• f. Increased tolerance
• g. Withdrawal symptoms
• h. Substance taken to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

(Source)