High School Drug Use

When teenagers enter high school, they’re still children. But by the time they graduate, they’re adults. This 4-year period is a time of rapid growth and self-discovery.

It’s also a difficult time for teens as well as their parents because it’s a time for experimentation. Driven by social media pressure, the availability of drugs in schools is higher than ever before. Unfortunately, high school drug use and drinking can impact the progress of even the best and brightest kids.

Teen alcohol and drug use statistics

Here in the US, alcohol abuse is the most common form of substance abuse, and it tends to cause more harm than illicit drugs. Nationwide, underage drinking is responsible for approximately 120 thousand ER visits per year, and nearly 5,000 deaths per year of people less than 21 years of age. Here are some other stats –

Nearly 60% of twelfth-grade students have abused alcohol at least once
30% of American high schoolers drank during the previous month
About 15% of them had at least one binge-drinking episode during the year
Over 15% had ridden in a car with someone who was drinking
Nearly 10% reported that they had driven after drinking

Likewise, illicit drug use is also a problem among teens: The availability of marijuana and synthetic marijuana among 12th graders has skyrocketed in recent years. Unfortunately, teens’ perception of the harmfulness of marijuana has decreased during the same period.

Risk factors and influences

Peer pressure through social media is a leading factor in teen drug addiction and alcohol abuse. Peer pressure on adolescents is a powerful factor. In spite of recent efforts, kids can easily buy drugs from anonymous contacts through social media.

As they enter grades 10 through 12, teenagers see smoking cigarettes and taking prescription drugs as “grownup” habits to be copied. And, many kids turn to alcohol and illicit drugs because they want to “fit in” with a perceived popular group at school.

Others self-medicate to ease the pain of problems at home. And, some high schoolers use stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall to boost their academic performance during exams.

Academic pressure

Combined with peer influence, academic pressure is powerful. Kids entering high school face increasing academic pressure because of harder classes with higher expectations to get good grades.

They’re also faced with new decisions about future career choices, while surrounded by highly competitive classmates. Sometimes, there’s overwhelming pressure from parents and teachers to achieve good grades, succeed in new extracurricular activities, and perform well on college entrance exams.

Teen addiction trends among high schoolers

Parents often ask: Is there an upward trend in teen alcohol use and drug addiction with kids nowadays? As mentioned above, there are many different reasons and contributing factors, but the main culprits seem to be internet connectivity and social media. In recent years, the trend in adolescent substance abuse is toward the following illegal drugs –

Marijuana
Synthetic marijuana
Amphetamine
Ecstasy (MDMA)
Hallucinogens
Cocaine
THC (vaping)

Treatment options for teen drug and alcohol use

In spite of the challenges, there are plenty of treatment options that can lead to better outcomes. But the longer the addiction continues, the more difficult the recovery becomes.

If you’ve noticed signs that your teen may be drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs, now’s the time to ask a professional for help. To learn more about treatment options for teen drinking and high school drug use, just contact us now.

Q&As

What are the most common warning signs of teen drug abuse and alcoholism?

The earliest behavioral warning signs of teen drug use or alcoholism include –

Being evasive and avoiding eye contact
Breaking a curfew repeatedly
Frequent requests for money
Stealing or being irresponsible with possessions
Locking bedroom doors
Making secretive phone calls
Isolating from family and previous friends
Making questionable “new friends”
Missing school or extracurricular activities
Losing interest in normal activities or hobbies

The possible warning signs in physical appearance may include –

Poor hygiene and/or extreme changes in how they dress
Glazed or red eyes
Frequent congestion or runny nose
Extreme changes in attitude or mood, including irritability, anxiety, or paranoia
Rapid weight loss or gain

How can I help my addicted child?

If you believe your child is being affected by alcohol or drug use, the first step is an honest recognition of the problem. Talk with your child in a non-confrontational way by asking questions and listening, instead of lecturing.

The next step is to reach out to professionals to learn more about teen substance abuse and treatment options. There are plenty of good options for substance abuse treatment and recovery, including inpatient and outpatient teen drug rehab. To learn more about these options, contact us now.