Consequences of Adolescent
Substance Abuse

Jacksonville, FL Counseling Services

It is no secret that the consequences of adolescent substance abuse are extensive. While it has always been known that academics suffer and the risk of judicial sentencing is a consequence of teen addiction, new studies have proven that long-term health risks are just as dangerous as short-term consequences.

If you have a teenager displaying signs of substance abuse, you need to contact a therapist immediately. Breakthroughs provides addiction counseling to teenagers in Jacksonville, Florida at a cost-effective rate. Get your child the treatment he needs today.

Short-term Consequences of
Adolescent Substance Abuse

While the youth of America have begun shying away from marijuana use, more dangerous drugs, such as LSD and ecstasy use, are on the rise. Regardless of the drugs being abused by a teenager, short-term consequences of substance abuse in teens usually includes:

• Steeply declining grades
  
  
• Absenteeism from school
  
  
• Depression
  
  
• Memory, learning and psychomotor skills

Physical Consequences of
Teenage Substance Abuse

Teenagers addicted to chemical substances face many similar physical risks as adults. These include:

• Injuries due to accidents
  
  
• Overdose
  
  
• Gang related violence
  
  
• Suicide
  
  
• Transmission of HIV/AIDS

Effects of Alcohol Abuse in Teens

While many parents believe that kids will be kids and that underage drinking is bound to happen, the long term effects of binge drinking on teenagers may make them revisit their views.

It is well known that individuals who begin drinking as teenagers have an increased risk of developing dependence on alcohol in their lives. In fact, a recent study reported that 47% of teens that began drinking before 14 developed an alcohol abuse problem. However, only 9% of teenagers who began drinking at 21 or older developed alcohol dependence.

New research however, shows that teenage binge drinking poses additional, serious health risks, including a higher risk for developing:

• Diabetes
  
  
• Heart disease
  
  
• High blood pressure

The consequences of teen substance abuse are evident. If your teen is showing signs of substance abuse, you need to get him into teen substance abuse treatment.

At Breakthroughs, our Jacksonville, Florida therapists understand the difficulty in successfully treating teenagers for substance abuse. At our mental health center, our counselors develop cost-effective, individualized treatment plans to get your child free from substance abuse. Please contact our Jacksonville teen substance abuse therapists today before the consequences of adolescent substance abuse take hold on your child.

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