Teenagers can become involved with prescription drug abuse through various means – usually it starts out with experimentation, which is the most dangerous stage of prescription drug abuse. Teenagers who abuse prescription drugs tend to not see the potential effects of their actions on the future.

Teenagers today who abuse drugs aren’t using the standby drugs of marijuana, cocaine, LSD and alcohol as much as they are abusing prescription drugs. Teens often abuse prescription drugs in order to get high, because they’re often much easier to obtain – all they have to do is go into their parents’ medicine cabinet. There’s a tendency among teenagers to feel invincible, like nothing can hurt them, even prescription substance abuse. Because of this, some will experiment with prescription drugs and stop, whereas others will feel no effect and fall fully into prescription crug abuse. Others can immediately develop a habit of prescription drug abuse, which is when immediate intervention is needed.

Prescription drugs are meant to be used to alleviate the symptoms of a disease, but as with any other drug, many people have begun to suffer from prescription drug abuse, such as oxycontin, Ritalin or other drugs. These drugs can have major effects.

Many people first experiment with prescription drugs because they think they will be able to fit in more effectively, lose weight or they think that the prescription drug will help their mental functioning to improve. Also, it’s usually easier to acquire prescription drugs than it is to get other, more illegal drugs, from a family member of a friend, but sometimes prescription drugs are sold on the street.

There are five stages of drug and alcohol abuse: experimentation, regular use, problem or risky use, dependence, and addiction. People generally progress though these phases as they become addicted to substances. Knowing them can help people recognize addiction in family members and friends, as well as themselves. The sooner addiction treatment is sought, the better. Rehabilitation is much easier in the early stages.

Experimentation
Experimentation is using drugs and alcohol voluntarily. This can be as a reaction to life circumstances, depression, or peer pressure. Use is occasional, and most people are able to quit on their own. However, many choose to continue because they like the feeling they get from drugs and alcohol.

Regular Use
In this stage, the use of substances becomes more frequent, and the individual may begin to do it alone.

Problem or Risky Use
As the name suggests, the third stage is when individuals begin to suffer negative consequences from drug and alcohol abuse. Examples of problems could be relationship issues, physical or health problems, legal problems, trouble with a job, or getting into trouble while driving. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, almost a third of the people in the United States display risky drinking behavior.

Dependence
When an individual reaches the dependence stage, they no longer seem to care whether they suffer negative consequences. Some of the specific criteria for being dependent on drugs and alcohol include an increased tolerance to the substance, withdrawal symptoms when trying to reduce usage, and extremely irresponsible behaviors, such as losing a job.

Addiction
Drug and alcohol addiction is when the condition is considered to be a disease. The person is no longer capable of controlling any aspect of it, and their life revolves around the substance. Obvious physical and mental changes have occurred.

No one drug is better or worse than another. They all damage us physically, they can all lead to deaths both of the user as well as impairing the user to the point that they can cause harm to those around them. They all lead us places we never imagined when we started using them. Now that you find yourself in a place that you certainly didn’t plan for when you started out your drug addiction, who can you turn to?

We provide all the assistance that you will need on your journey to recovery. Offering a great setting to enjoy your recovery in. The professionals on hand will use all of their knowledge to help you through the recovery process as well as set you up for a life time of success in rehabilitation.

No matter what brought you to us we are not here to judge. We are here to make sure that your dedication and effort don’t go to waste. You can struggle with all your might against the brick wall that is addiction, but on your own it is impossible. We can help you get the knowledge and the tools necessary to get release from the grasp that drug addiction currently has on you.

In every partnership though there must be teamwork. We are glad to bring all of our services to the table to assist in your recovery and the only thing we need of you is your willingness to seek recovery and your time at our rehabilitation facility.

The first step in your willingness is the research you are doing now. Take your time and gain as much as you can form this site, then when you feel comfortable, call us and we will discuss with you all of your concerns until you know as we do that we are the rehabilitation facility that can help you.