A person who has a mental health disorder, along with a drug or alcohol problem, has what is called a co-occurring issue. The condition is also known as a dual diagnosis. Families need to understand co-occurring diagnoses so that they can seek the right help for their children. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery is a co-occurring issues treatment center in North Carolina dedicated to treating adolescent males with a dual diagnosis. For more information, please contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery at 866.300.5275 today.

Co-occurring Issues in Adolescents by the Numbers

Co-occurring issues among youth ages 12 and older affect many children in the United States. Many adolescents with substance use disorders also have co-occurring mental health disorders. Many children suffer from a SUD (substance use disorder) and major depression.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2018:

• Approximately 1.5% (358,000) of adolescents in 2018 had a SUD and major depression in the past year
• About 1.2% (288,000) adolescents in 2018 had a SUD and major depression with severe impairment in the past year

Also, more than a third of adolescents dealing with major depression and substance abuse received no specialized treatment and no mental health services. Since hundreds of thousands of our nation’s youth are affected by dual diagnosis, knowing the signs of co-occurring issues is critical for families and educators. Therefore, the more awareness there is among adults, the easier it is to seek and find the right help.

Warning Signs of Substance Use

Signs that an adolescent may be using illicit drugs or alcohol include:

• A sudden or frequent change in friends
• Skips dinner and other family routines
• Prefers to stay in the bedroom alone
• Ignores household chores
• Violates curfew
• Skips school
• School grades worsen
• Aggressive behavior
• Defiant or inappropriate reactions to confrontations
• Unprovoked reactions
• Slurred speech
• Lack of motivation
• Stealing money or items to pawn
• Neglects personal hygiene
• Mood swings
• Depression

Of course, even if your teen is showing several of these signs, they may not be battling a mental health condition. In order to determine whether their condition requires dual diagnosis treatment, it’s best to reach out to a professional. Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275 to discuss your teen’s condition.

Co-occurring Issues Signs

Commonly seen signs of co-occurring issues related to mental health in adolescents include:

• Depression: Beyond just feeling sad sometimes, depression is a clinical issue that needs treatment. Symptoms of depression interfere with a teen’s ability to accomplish daily activities such as eating, sleeping, and handling school work.
• Conduct disorder: CD is a disorder where a child displays repeated disruptive and violent behavior.
• Oppositional defiant disorder: ODD is a disorder where a child demonstrates argumentative behavior towards authority figures
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: ADHD is a disorder where an adolescent has trouble paying attention. There is a pattern of hyperactivity and/or impulsiveness. Many children may be high energy and find it hard to sit still. But when these traits interfere with development and functioning, it may be ADHD.
• Anxiety: Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful events. When these reactions cause significant distress, it can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Also, when stress reactions are irrational and excessive, they can be harmful to an adolescent.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder: Youths who have experienced a traumatizing event can develop PTSD. Feeling sad, anxious, or angry can be signs of PTSD. Other symptoms include problems concentrating and sleeping and thinking about the event continuously.

If your son is battling one or more mental health conditions and substance use disorders, it’s time to seek treatment. Contact Foothills at Red Oak today to learn more.

Reach Out to Foothills at Red Oak Recovery

Foothills at Red Oak Recovery provides a residential program for 14 to 17-year-old males struggling with mental health and substance use issues. We are proud to offer the help needed when adolescents show co-occurring issues signs that require treatment.

We believe that when teens are battling co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorders, they need appropriate therapeutic treatment to address their issues. As a result, we’re proud to provide both evidence-based and experiential therapies to the teens we treat. Our therapeutic options include the following:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Equine therapy
• Yoga therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy

If your loved one needs help, contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery. Your adolescent can overcome mental health and substance use issues. Call our enrollment team at 866.300.5275 to get your teen on the road to recovery.