The Rise of Stimulant Use in Adolescents

 

Adolescents Who Use Stimulants

Stimulant use in adolescents has become increasingly controversial in the last few years, since some types of stimulants are prescribed for the condition known as ADHD. Many children are prescribed Ritalin for the condition, and many people have questioned Ritalin’s effectiveness as well as its side effects if it not taken properly. While not all stimulants are prescribed, it is extremely important to understand the use of stimulants and their side effects if they are not used properly.

Stimulant Abuse and Addiction

Any young teen who takes prescribed stimulants is at risk for abusing the medications that are commonly known as Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine. When taking improperly these particular medications are addictive, but it is not known whether their use leads to other drug addictions and/or other drug experimentation. Studies have shown that in most cases of abuse among adolescents and adults who take prescribed and non-prescribed stimulants, the ones who abuse them may already be active or addicted to other types of drugs. The effects that these particular drugs have when they are abused are very similar effects as speed. Alcoholics have been known to abuse stimulants and commonly grind them and mix them with water for injections. However, if they are abused by teens, it usually begins by taking more than the prescribed amount. The specific age groups where abuse of stimulants has been observed ranges and differs by age, location, and ethnic background. The stunning evidence that more than half of all adolescents, ages 12 to 17, have used stimulants within the past year is enough to increase parental concern and raise a red flag to watch for additive behavior patterns.

Types of Behavior to Look For

Whether your adolescent teen is prescribed stimulants or they have used them non-prescribed with their friends, parents should be ever mindful of the types of behavior that point to evidence of drug abuse. Changes in behavior to watch for include:

• Fighting at school or work
• Gang or group fights
• Obtaining or having any type of illegal drug
• Carrying a handgun or talking about carrying one
• Theft
• Attacking someone verbally or physically without provocation If a teen has used non-prescribed stimulants, more than likely they have exhibited one or all of these behavior patterns. 

Finding the Right Treatment Today

A comprehensive medical treatment plan is one way to avoid drug abuse brought on by stimulants. A physician should make sure that prescribed stimulants are necessary and not used as the sole treatment for ADHD. If an adolescent has an addiction to stimulants, addiction recovery could be needed to further prevent a relapse into the abuse cycle. A treatment plan could contain several components. Education, regular medical visits, therapy, counseling and even family counseling are positive steps to avoiding abuse of stimulants. Prescribed stimulants can be taken correctly and will not create a high, but most people who abuse the stimulant will take more than the prescribed dosage. Without a prescription, stimulants are purchased on the street from those who can easily get a prescription. Most times these street drugs will be diluted or made with baby powder or ephedrine if they are produced illegally. These react much like the prescribed stimulants when taken either by smoking, injecting or snorting them. The intense sense of euphoria brought on by the overuse of stimulants will cause a craving for more and lead to addiction. Any prescribed stimulant mediation should be closely monitored. It is hard to predict who will become addicted to stimulants. It relies upon environment, trauma, stress, other physical conditions, life circumstances, post-traumatic stress disorders and the extent of whether a person is ADHD.

Getting Help For Adolescents Who Abuse Stimulants

Many times, those who take stimulant medication do not abuse it. It is intended to treat a condition and help the teen ease into adulthood living a normal life. While stimulants have a good effect on those who have been diagnosed with ADHD, those who have not been diagnosed with the condition, and self-medicate, are at a high risk of becoming addicted to stimulants. If you suspect a teen of abusing stimulants, seek a professional medical treatment plan for medication abuse or addiction. It is the most effective way of avoiding or treating drug abuse.