Alcohol Rehab

Another fact that’s only recently gaining acceptance is that addiction starts at a much younger age than was once thought. By high school, it’s often already time for treatment. According to a survey by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more than a fifth of all eighth-graders have used illegal drugs; more than a quarter have used alcohol; and a quarter report having been drunk at least once.

The long-term dangers and effects of addiction are revealed by recent research, as you’ll learn in detail in this blog. The impact of early use of alcohol and other drugs on the brain is more serious and long-lasting than once thought.

The federal government tracks substance use among young people and reports that for almost all types of drugs, use by eighth-, 10th-, and 12th-graders was down during the first few years of the 21st century. Though surveys show that fewer teens are using drugs, large numbers are still using. The numbers show that use increases with age: Twice as many 12th-graders as eighth-graders use drugs. Twelve million teens are regular substance users, and as many as 3 million qualify as substance abusers or full-blown addicts.

Chances are, you know at least one person your age (in addition to one or more substance-using adults in your life) who is dealing with a drug or alcohol problem. Each of these teens has parents, siblings, and friends who are significantly affected by their problem. You’ve probably already been confronted with literature and lectures designed to scare young people away from drinking and drugging.The bad effects of alcohol and drugs are indeed something to be scared of, but as you probably also know, using fright to keep young people away from substance abuse often has the opposite effect—it makes danger seem attractive.

Instead, this blog presents facts about these widespread, serious disorders to help you figure out the best way to deal with them, whether you experience them in yourself, in a friend, or in a family member. You’re also surrounded by opportunities and even encouragement to at least try alcohol or another chemical substance. Even if your friends don’t use, TV shows, ads, and movies all make drugs and alcohol seem like a natural part of life. The more you know about alcoholism and addiction, the better you will be able to cope with them, whether they affect you directly or indirectly.