Though many people are aware of the dangers of illicit substances, drug use in teens and young adults continues to escalate.
A new substance is outpacing other drugs as the deadliest today.1 A trend in dealers lacing their supply with a potentially fatal dose of fentanyl has highlighted the very real dangers of illegal drug use and how easy it can be to lose control of a problem without even realizing it.
Addiction and alcoholism can cause alterations to brain chemistry and create lifelong challenges. There is no way to know how much is too much before it's too late. Banyan Massachusetts explores the most common addictions of young adults and what should be done about this now rather than later.
Common Types of Addiction in Teens and Young Adults
At our drug rehab in Massachusetts, we see a variety of substances commonly used by teens and young adults. For those aged 18 to 25, the most abused substances include2:
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Marijuana
- Hallucinogens
- Painkillers
These drugs cause different effects on the mind and body, along with social and personal challenges. Nearly 70% of those who try an illicit drug before the age of 13 develop substance use disorder by the time they’re 20. In addition, 27% of those who try an illicit drug by the time they’re 17 face addiction.3 Teens and young adults are at crucial developmental stages in life, and the consequences of substance abuse at these stages are not to be taken lightly.
Long-term Effects of Drug Abuse
At any age, substance addictions pose physical, mental, and social risks. Unfortunately, people at developmental stages, such as late teens and early adulthood, are especially susceptible to forms of brain damage and irreversible bodily trauma that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Examples of these effects include:
- Impaired learning capabilities
- Brain shrinkage
- Memory problems
- Flawed perception of reality
- Blood-borne diseases, such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and AIDS '
- Permanent behavioral issues
How a drug addiction will affect a person can rely on a variety of factors, but the point stays the same. If a person is abusing a substance, there is likely a larger issue at play. With age comes experience, and it is easy for many young people to get caught up in the throes of peer pressure, stress management, and escapism. We seek to catch these bad habits early and correct them before the life-changing consequences have a chance to catch up.
Treating Addiction in Teens and Young Adults
Our Massachusetts rehab offers effective treatment for young adults who are ready to find their sobriety and kickstart their success. Patients 18 and up can find solace in carefully crafted addiction care designed to set them back on the path to recovery and fulfillment.
Don’t let drug addiction negatively affect those you care about. If you suspect that your loved one is struggling, you can change their life by getting them into treatment.
Call 888-280-4763 to learn more about our Boston addiction treatment options today.
Sources:
- USA Today - Fentanyl Now America’s Deadliest Drug
- NIH - National Survey of Drug Use and Health
- DEA - Drugs of Abuse
