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Teenagers and
Addiction -how to Understand Teen Anxiety That Leads to Addiction
Author:
Dee Cohen
 In
my outpatient counseling job I see many teenagers turning to drugs and cutting
themselves though only a portion go to adolescent
drug rehab programs.
As I delve into issues with them at the outpatient mental
health clinic I work at, the main issues seem to revolve around friendships,
boyfriends, family tensions and academic pressures.
It is
easy to discount a teen's worries and tell them worrying about a boyfriend at
age fourteen isn't important. But, it is to a teen and rejection can be very
painful. As adults we are often good at building defenses and a wall, but many
teens are vulnerable. Plus, they don't have many of the outlets that adults have
when things are stressful. For instance, as an adult, we can jump in the car and
take a ride, drive to the mall to shop, plan a girls night out to forget trouble
etc. A teenager often can't drive and has limited escape options for mental
health. There isn't the luxury of running to a pilates class or getting a
massage to try to regain mental peace.
Of
course, teens do have ways to diffuse stress such as the internet, cell phone
calls, texting and listening to music. Still, if the issues revolve around their
friends or dates, many of the same people are interacting and it may just
re-enforces the painfulness of the original interaction. If there is additional
strain with the family then there just may not be any way it seems to feel good.
Adolescent drug rehab
can help if the problem gets out of control. If it is occasional use, it's
important to help the person find other ways to feel good which can include
exercise that releases endorphins, creative activities like drawing and music or
relaxation techniques through tai-chi,
meditation and yoga.
If
there are family pressures that are the source of the
drug problem, brainstorm
about an aunt or uncle that the teen can visit for a weekend to just get a new
environment. This can help to get a break from each other. It often is hard for
teens to open up and one way that is useful for parents is to talk about oneself
honestly and an issue that one had and overcame. Don't be preachy or give a
lecture but talk about your own vulnerability, how you felt stuck and the
difficult points. This is often why al-anon, aa and other twelve step groups
work well because people are able to hear others experiences and understand
their process, insights and trials.
Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/teenagers-and-addiction-how-to-understand-teen-anxiety-that-leads-to-addiction-639903.html
About the Author:
Stop
by
Adolescent Drug Rehab
for tips on
teenagers and alcoholism
at
http://www.drug-and-alcohol-rehab-info.com/addiction/index.php/resisting-drinking/
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA Licensed Psychologist Ph.D.
Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist
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