Addictions
Drug and alcohol addiction – teens and young adults.
Luxury addiction programs for young people and families.
Helping young people recover from addiction.
Addiction in Teenagers and Young Adults
Addiction is an issue that affects teenagers and young people worldwide. Globally, 1 in 8 teenagers abuse drugs. Addiction often begins in adolescence with lifetime consequences. In fact, 9 out of 10 adults with addiction started using substances in their teenage years.
Teenagers and young adults use drugs and alcohol for many reasons. Drug and alcohol use during adolescence significantly increases the risk of having other mental and physical health issues.
Whilst addiction is often seen as an adult issue, drug and alcohol use has devastating consequences for young people and their families. Every year, 12% of overdose deaths are reported in children and adolescents under 19 years.
Teenagers and young adults up to 26-years-old are seen to have a significantly improved rate of recovery when they engage in treatment programs designed specifically for young people, with 77% increase rate in long term recovery.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction in Teens and Young Adults
Addiction can begin at any age, although it usually first appears during adolescence. Addiction is a serious mental health condition. It is important to understand that addiction does not affect one ‘type’ of young person (although there are some known facts that can increase the risk of developing an addiction).
- Finding drugs or drug paraphernalia on or around your teen
- Finding medicines or prescription drugs missing at home
- Changes in mood, eating or sleeping patterns
- Secretive behaviours
- Avoiding eye contact
- Decreased interest in personal appearance and hygiene
- Appearing intoxicated or ‘high’
- Smelling of smoke or vapes
- Dishonesty, lying or evasiveness, theft, misuse of family credit cards
- Hostility, irritability and increasingly uncooperative
- Increase in behavioural problems, running away, not home on time
- Decrease in attendance at school, clubs and family events
- Isolated, depressed, withdrawn and alone
- Changes in friendship groups
- Physical changes including, runny eyes, runny nose, sore throats, general illness, weight loss or weight gain
- Eating or ‘munchies’ at unusual times
- Avoiding social gatherings or family dinners
- Pinpoint pupils in dim light/widely dilated pupils in bright light
- Bad breath, strange smells, upset tummy
- Unusual smells on the breath (inhalants, alcohol, marijuana, street drugs).
Risks of Substance Use in Teens and Young Adults
Alcohol and drug use during the development of the prefrontal cortex, which commonly extends to age 25 years, can have significant long-term consequences on cognitive functioning and abilities.
Drug and alcohol use in teens and young adults:
- Affects growth and physical development
- Affects brain development
- Increases risk-taking behaviours and impulsivity
- Increases risks of unprotected, early sexual experiences
- Increases risk of unplanned pregnancy
- Increases risk of dangerous behaviours (DUI, accidents, death)
- Increases risk of later life health problems including, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke
- (Increased use of nicotine products) can lead to lung disease and cancers.
Addiction Treatment for Teens and Young Adults
Young people under the age of 30 have a significantly better chance of sustained recovery in programs specifically designed for their age group.
Teenagers and young adults benefit from treatment in addiction programs that are designed specifically for their age group. In fact, young people under 26 years who enter treatment in adult programs have a significantly higher rate of relapse and lower levels of recovery than their peers who have completed treatment in programs specifically designed to treat teen and adolescent addiction.
The Wave Addiction Programs have a 100% completion rate with the vast majority of young people and their families reporting sustained recovery one year after treatment.
Hey Moe, I just wanted to send a message of appreciation to you and The Wave team. I celebrated my 1-year recovery two days ago, and I can tell you it was a very good feeling.
AJ (age 25), Sydney, Australia
Treatment options for young people are limited, with many children, teens and young adults not receiving the appropriate treatment at the right time. Inadequate treatment, or treatment in adult services, can lead to extended periods of distress and an overall worsening of both the addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
Residential Treatment for Teen and Young Adult Addictions
The Wave Residential Addiction Programs provide the safety and security that teenagers and young adults need to get well. Our programs offer a high level of discretion and are set in a gated area away from triggers and access to drugs, alcohol, electronics and devices.
The Wave Programs for substance and process addictions provide intensive and comprehensive treatment in a structured and supervised environment. Our young people benefit from structured treatment plans and daily schedules that promote and reinforce healthy behaviours and routines for recovery.
Our academic component allows our young people to attend school or join our academic programs.
Is Residential Addiction Treatment the Right Choice for my Teen/Young Adult?
Residential treatment may be recommended by your Child or Family Psychiatrist, GP, Psychiatric Team or Therapist. It may be a decision reached by the family alone or by the young person. Residential treatment may be the most suitable option if your child demonstrates any of the following:
- Self-harm or self-destructive behaviours
- Violence or aggression at home or school
- Suicidal thoughts, gestures or behaviours
- Substance use problems (alcohol, street drugs, prescription drugs)
- Has previously overdosed (with or without intent)
- Has an eating disorder
- Has run away from home or school
- Refuses to attend school
- Has been asked to leave school (temporary or permanent exclusion)
- Outpatient therapy has not promoted significant or consistent change
- There are mental health concerns at home
- There is high conflict divorce or separation at home
- Demonstrates severe mood changes
- Academic decline
- Has a previous or current psychotic episode
- Has a previous diagnosis of severe mental illness.
Deciding on a residential treatment program can feel overwhelming. The decision to enter residential treatment can be intense and emotional for both the young person and their family. Residential programs often provide not only a higher rate of success and improved prognosis, but also provide the safety, connection and community that teenagers and young adults need for lifelong recovery. This is your child’s chance to flourish.
Trauma-Focused Addiction Care for Young People
Trauma refers to life experiences that cause intense physical and psychological distress. Trauma can be single event or events that happen on multiple occasions.
Teenagers and young adults with a history of trauma have a much higher risk of developing problems with drugs, alcohol and other addictions – such as sex, gambling and gaming.
More than 66% of young people report having been subjected to at least one traumatic event by age 16. Traumatic events can have long-term effects on those who experience them.
Addiction is often used as a coping mechanism, to escape from unpleasant and unwanted feelings, memories and emotions or to numb anxiety, stress and pressure.
Drug and alcohol use in teenagers and young adults requires a trauma-focused approach to promote long-term mental health.
Treatment Outcomes
Teenagers and young adults who engage in long-term residential substance abuse treatment programs achieve positive outcomes in the following areas:
- Emotional functioning
- Behaviour and social skills
- Educational achievement and attainment
- Increased attendance and commitment to study
- Physical health
- Psychiatric and mental wellness
- Reduction in impulsivity
- Reduction in risk-taking behaviours
- Reduction in legal problems
- Reduction in substance use
- Improved relationships with family and friends
- Reduction in conflict at home and school
- Increased self awareness and positive self image
- Improvements in areas of self control
- Increased social competence.
Residential Treatment for Parents and Siblings
At The Wave, care for our young people extends to their parents and siblings. We will ensure that every member of the family receives the therapeutic and psychiatric support needed. Rebuilding family relationships is an essential part of the process.
Throughout our extensive network of trauma-focused clinicians and treatment providers, we are able to help all family members receive the support they need throughout the treatment journey.
Many of our parents have themselves been subject to a lifetime of trauma. Some families have found that their young person entering treatment is a perfect opportunity to undertake treatment themselves, in a program that works alongside the programs at The Wave.
Jointly-supported family sessions have become the pinnacle of exceptional treatment for international families and have given a freedom to regain the beauty of family life for all generations.
Addiction Free – Our Message to Young People and Their Families
We would like all young people to live a life free from addiction.
There are many reasons that young people ‘try’ drugs and alcohol. For some, that decision will lead to a life of torment and mental health crisis. For many of their families, it will mean losing the child that they love. We believe that full recovery is possible. We believe that all young people should have the freedom to be themselves, to be safe and secure and have the support that they need to have frank conversations about drugs, alcohol and addiction.
Get Help Early.
We work together with families to get young people the support that they need. Our substance use team is available to help young people and their families approach the tough and sometimes life-saving subjects.
Please visit our library section for further reading recommendations on child and teen addiction.
