Mental health and addiction are often related. People with poor mental health may choose to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Although the illicit substances may provide temporary relief, they do more harm than good in the long run.
Teens are particularly susceptible to developing an addiction due to mental health issues. They are dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety considering peer pressure, a need to get good grades, and an impending transition into adulthood. They are exposed to environments like parties, where drugs are readily available.
When addiction occurs during adolescence, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible before it gets out of hand. This article will answer the question, Does teen mental health cause addiction?, and it will let you know what you can do when dependency issues occur.
What Mental Issues Commonly Impact Teens?
Teens are most likely to be dealing with anxiety, mood, attention, and behavior disorders. These include:
- Anxiety: Anxiety can occur due to the pressure teens are under to conform to peer pressure, get good grades, and transition to adulthood. Teens may suffer from various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, or a panic disorder.
- Depression: Depression often goes hand in hand with anxiety. It can occur if teens feel they are not living up to their potential. It can be brought on by teasing, bullying, and poor grades.
- ADHD: ADHD commonly affects teens and children. Symptoms may diminish in adulthood. It is characterized by an inability to focus, restlessness, lack of concentration, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings.
- Disruptive Behavior Disorders: These include conduct disorder, which is characterized by behavior that violates age-appropriate societal norms, and oppositional-defiant disorder, which involves hostile, defiant behavior.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: This type of disorder involves a person engaging in compulsive behavior to manage obsessive thoughts.
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Posttraumatic stress disorder can develop if the teen was exposed to trauma at some point in their lives. It can lead to flashbacks, nightmares, and general feelings of fear.
- Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating feelings of soaring highs and bottomless lows that can be periodic or ongoing.
How Does Teen Mental Health Cause Addiction Issues?
Many teens don’t know they are suffering from a mental health disorder. They may be feeling emotions that are beyond their control, but they may not understand why they are happening.
If they don’t have a healthy home life, they may be too embarrassed to talk about their feelings. They may feel like they will get made fun of by their relatives and peers.
During this time, they may be introduced to drugs and alcohol. When they experiment with these illicit substances, they may feel relief from their emotions.
For example, if they feel depressed, they may find that certain drugs have a euphoric effect. If they feel nervous, alcohol may loosen them up.
However, they will also experience severely depressed states when the drug wears off. This will make matters worse in the long run. If they continue using the drug, an addiction will form, giving them two disorders to deal with.
How to Find Teen Dual Diagnosis in Florida
There are many approaches to take when treating teen addiction, but dual diagnosis is the most effective. It addresses both the addiction and the underlying cause, giving teens the tools they need to manage their condition. It has been proven to yield high success rates in long-term recovery.
If you are looking for a teen mental health and addiction program in South Florida that provides a dual diagnosis approach, the Adolescent Wellness Academy is highly recommended.
Teen Mental Health Treatment in South Florida
At Adolescent Wellness Academy, a teen mental health treatment center located in South Florida, we understand the complexities and challenges of guiding our loved ones, especially adolescents, toward recovery from mental health challenges.
Recognizing the delicate nature of this journey, we are committed to offering compassionate, specialized care even in situations where individuals may be hesitant to seek help.
We are dedicated to providing a supportive environment that fosters healing and growth through our tailored programs:
- Day Therapeutic Program: A structured daytime treatment offering therapeutic support and education that integrates seamlessly with the adolescent’s daily life.
- After-School Program: An innovative approach that provides therapeutic activities and supports post-school hours, allowing teens to continue their education while receiving the care they need.
When you join our therapy or afterschool programs, you enter a caring and non-judgmental community. This support network involves teens, their families, their peers, and our team.
Our team of clinicians, alumni, and other parents is here to offer invaluable assistance. Parent Support Groups (PSG) and assessments ensure that the support is tailored to each family’s needs. Contact us today for more information about teen mental health at 1-866-548-8677 or visit our locations in Miami-Dade and Broward.
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