Where To Find Help For Teen Prescription Drug Abuse

There are misconceptions that teens and young adults are too healthy to be prescribed addictive medication, and that they are too supervised for there to be a risk of abuse. The reality of the matter is that teen prescription drug abuse is on the rise.

The Drug Enforcement Agency estimates around one-third of the 2.4 million Americans who misused prescription drugs for the first time in 2014 were teens. If you believe your teen is abusing prescription drugs, please call 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) for more information about the available treatment options.

School Resources

Guidance counselors can help teens who are abusing prescription drugs.

Many schools have programs about substance abuse and will offer resources to parents and students. If you suspect your teen is abusing prescription drugs, it may be best to contact their school and ask about what information they can provide. Guidance counselors and resource officers are usually the first ones to be contacted if a parent is concerned with their student’s possible drug usage and will be prepared to help.

While teen prescription drug abuse is not the most commonly discussed substance abuse issue in schools, educators and administration officials should have some knowledge of the problem. In many cases, it will not be an isolated incident and many schools will be grateful to be notified if one of their students is abusing prescription medication.

Medical Personnel

While many teens are gaining access to prescription drugs through friends and unsuspecting family members, they may also be abusing their own prescriptions. Talking with your teen’s doctor can be a way to determine if there is anything off about their prescription or any problems that can arise if they are abusing it.

Many doctors and other medical personnel are trained to spot the signs of addiction, especially in cases of prescription drug abuse. Even if the teen is not abusing their own medication, they may be abusing someone else’s prescription.

This can lead to potentially dangerous interactions between the two (or more) drugs. Some cases of teen prescription drug abuse may even involve stealing prescriptions from family members, posing a problem for a parent or sibling who has a legitimate medical condition by putting that person at additional risk.

Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse

A Substance Abuse Treatment Facility

Many federal organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency have compiled databases on treatment facilities and programs for a multitude of substance abuse problems. Treatment programs are often open to everyone and there are some that cater to specific demographics, like teenagers and prescription drugs.

They are not all inpatient centers, with many outpatient programs available. Many of these programs will provide information and resources online without making patients commit to the program. If your teen’s prescription drug abuse has gotten severe enough for them to be admitted to a treatment facility, seek one that is covered or accepted by your insurance.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction, please call 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) to receive help. You will be able to speak with one of our caring specialists about what treatment options are available for you.