As with everything else during adolescence, teenagers experiment with all substances, including drugs and alcohol. The latest teen drug abuse statistics indicate that the trend is worsening as experimentation spreads from illicit drugs into prescription medication and common household chemicals. Thus, it’s important to understand what substance abuse treatment options are available.
Addiction treatment centers in Illinois, such as Northern Illinois Recovery Center, have made strides in updating their treatment to handle the rise in teen addiction over the last two decades. Addiction affects more than just teenagers. It can also affect their friends, parents, and the community as a whole. Treatment centers must now respond to handle the current crisis. Let’s take a look a the latest teen drug abuse statistics in the U.S.
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Teen Drug Abuse Statistics in the U.S.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), more than 16 million Americans age 12 and older used prescription medication for medicinal or recreational use. Nearly two million teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 abused prescription medication and used it for recreational purposes instead of its intended use.
Nearly 15 percent of teenagers reported using some form of illicit drugs within the last year. This is an increase in use by nearly four percent. Like adults, many of these teenagers require addiction treatment. However, they often try to quit on their own or make an effort to disguise their addiction.
What Are the Most Popular Teen Drugs?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have reported that the most popular teen drugs in the U.S. include:
- Amphetamines
- Synthetic marijuana
- Prescription painkillers
- Cough medicine
- Sedatives
- Tranquilizers
- Hallucinogens
In addition to the drugs above, teenagers also use MDMA (Ecstasy) and Salvia. While alcohol use has increased slightly with teenagers, tobacco use has gone down – possibly because of the rise of vapes and e-cigarettes. Other drugs that teenagers use may include inhalants, spice, and stimulants such as Adderall.
What Does the Future Look Like for Teen Drug Abuse?
As it stands, addiction therapy services must closely monitor current teen use and prepare for the future of the crisis to provide the appropriate treatment. The NIH’s recent survey of students grades 8 through 12 was both encouraging and alarming.
For instance, tobacco and alcohol use in teenagers has gone down considerably since the 1990s. However, marijuana use continues to climb due to the legalization and normalization of marijuana in the culture. Marijuana will continue to be an issue as long as the states continue legalizing the drug. While there are age limits to marijuana use, it is more accessible than ever.
The main concern for dual diagnosis recovery centers in Illinois is the spike in opioid use. Heroin use has more than tripled over the last decade. Prescription medication has also increased, leading to the current opioid epidemic in teenagers and adults. Many of these addictions occur as a result of treating mental disorders. Dual diagnosis treats both addiction and mental disorders so that teenagers can manage their condition without becoming addicted to the drug.
Treatment for Drug Addiction
Despite the teen drug abuse statistics, treatment centers are fighting back by providing quality addiction care that includes:
- Complete detox services
- Evidence-based treatment
- Holistic treatment
- Individual, family, and group therapy
- Inpatient and outpatient services
- Aftercare programs
Teenagers receive the same high level of care that adults do for all types of addiction and mental disorders.
Get Help for Teen Drug Abuse at Northern Illinois Recovery Center
Learn more about the latest teen drug abuse statistics at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. Regardless of your addiction, we have the treatment that promotes lifelong recovery. We offer substance abuse treatment programs covering nearly every addiction, such as:
- Alcohol addiction rehab
- Barbiturate addiction rehab
- Benzo addiction rehab
- Cocaine addiction rehab
- Heroin addiction rehab
- Meth addiction rehab
- Opiate addiction rehab
- Opioid addiction rehab
- Xanax addiction rehab
Call Northern Illinois Recovery Center at 855.786.1978 to learn more about our Drug addiction rehab center.
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
© 2023 Northern Illinois Recovery.