The teenage years can be challenging for boys to navigate, and unfortunately, threats to their physical and mental health seem to be everywhere. As teens work to establish an independent identity, they can turn to substance use to cope with daily pressures. It can be difficult to know when an adolescent boy may need adolescent addiction treatment.
When adolescents regularly deal with peer pressure, hormonal changes, confusing familial situations, and other significant life stressors, their occasional substance use can escalate to dependency and addiction. If you are a teenage boy or know an adolescent boy who can benefit from teen rehab near South Carolina, contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery at 866.300.5275.
Signs of Teen Substance Use
When teenagers experiment with appearances, hobbies, and interests, it can be difficult for parents, caregivers, or friends to discern whether behavioral and lifestyle changes are actually symptoms of substance use. Some experimentation is healthy and can help teens figure out exactly who they are and who they want to be in the world.
However, other types of experimentation are harmful and should not be considered part of normal, healthy growth. If an adolescent boy you know demonstrates any of the following symptoms, substance use may be a problem:
- Secretive, reclusive behavior
- Sudden mood swings
- Skipping class or school
- Apathy
- Deteriorating relationships with others
- Lying about their whereabouts
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Aggressive behavior
- Changes in sleeping and eating habits
In addition, some physical changes can be common symptoms of a substance use disorder. These can include sudden weight loss, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and poor hygiene.
The town of Ellenboro, where Foothills at Red Oak Recovery is located, reports that 18.5% of its population feels bad about themselves, and teenage boys are not exempt from that number. A poor self-image can be a significant contributing factor to substance use.
If you notice any of the signs of substance use in an adolescent boy you know, it’s important that you reach out to our addiction treatment center near South Carolina.
The Importance of Addiction Treatment for Teens
One of the biggest reasons teens turn to substances to cope with anxiety and stress is to gain a temporary feeling of control and escape. However, it can compound their symptoms over time.
Comprehensive addiction treatment for teens can treat addiction and substance use successfully at any stage by helping the adolescent develop healthy coping skills and build a strong sense of personal and social responsibility.
Teenage boys are unique when it comes to their physical and mental development, so it’s vital that they receive substance use treatment in an environment that is tailored to their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. This environment should offer age-appropriate programs and therapies that can easily be adapted to everyday life.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Often, substance use disorders go hand in hand with mental health disorders. Between 2008 and 2019, the prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders in South Carolina and North Carolina rose from 3.1% to 4.7%, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Dual-diagnosis treatment can include therapy for teens who have two co-existing disorders. These can include substance use disorders along with:
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- PTSD
- Depression
- Disordered eating
A wide range of personalized treatment options and therapy modalities are needed for teens who suffer from symptoms of substance use as well as mental health concerns in the Carolinas.
Learn More at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
If you or someone you know needs teen rehab near South Carolina, we can help. Our treatment center for teens in Ellenboro, NC, serves clients from many different areas throughout North and South Carolina. Don’t wait another day to learn more about addiction treatment for teens from Foothills at Red Oak Recovery. Call us at 866.300.5275 today.
