The movies always show the teenagers partying, smoking, and drinking, but is that what high school really is like? Who would want to believe their child or their child’s friends are using? The truth is there are many students who suffer from substance abuse. Those students have horrible consequences but there are ways to recover.
Many Teens Abuse substances
There are thousands of high school students across the United States who suffer from some sort of substance abuse. Substances can be things such as tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs. Tobacco products are considered as a gate way drug. “I was eight the first time I took a draw off a cigarette, which started everything,” an 18-year-old male senior from Larue County High school stated. “I started using because my abuser tempted me,” the student stated. Temptation from peer pressure is very common. Peer pressure is a large reason why many teens start. Peer pressure and abuse pushed numerous amounts of addicts to begin using.
How substance Abuse effects lives.
The consequences to drug, tobacco and alcohol misuse can be extremely harsh. There have been various circumstances when victims have lost their jobs, families, friends, houses and much more. A 16-year-old, female, junior from Larue County High School said, “I lost so many of my friends.” She then specified, “My parents don’t know what to do with me.” The male senior then explained, “I have stolen money from my friends and family to pay for my cigarettes and marijuana.” Countless cases have ripped people from their friends and families. There have even been documented cases where families had to kick out the user. The people close to the user are effected just as much or more than they are.
How to find help.
Even though there are so many devastating effects due to substance abuse, there is always a way to recover from it. The first step to take is admitting the problem. Once the problem has been admitted, the user can proceed by seeking help to begin detoxification. “I tried to quit cold turkey from tobacco and pot but I began again after a few years,” the male senior shared. When searching for help to begin detoxification, it is important to seek professional help so they can help with accountability. When someone else is accountable, it is harder to relapse. Locally, for to help recover, we have hospitals such as Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health System in Radcliff. Phone numbers to get in touch with Lincoln Trail are 270-351-9444 or 800-247-7374. There are also a number of therapist in Elizabethtown. Other alternatives can be activities such as drawing, exercising, or chatting with friends.
Hundreds of teens across the United States abuse substances and are devastatingly affected by that but they can change by seeking help. Once the user seeks help, they will need to continue with the treatment plan so they don’t relapse. The user will then need to learn better ways to cope other than substances.