It is hard to keep up with the latest trends in the world of addiction. Things are constantly changing. Both addiction professionals and parents need to be aware of the latest trends in drugs and alcohol for young adults. If you are seeking addiction treatment in NC, Red Oak Recovery® offers drug and alcohol rehab programs for young men.
Teens and Drug Abuse
Young adult drug and alcohol abuse occur at a higher rate in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Nearly 20% of eighth-graders have tried alcohol, and 5 million high school students binge drink once a month or more. Experts suspect that there are many reasons for the high rate of drug and alcohol abuse in the United States. In schools, standardized tests and college application pressures mount at a young age. Students have schedules that are more packed than most adults, and the high amount of stress can lead to teens and young adults looking for a way to take the edge off.
Early experimentation with drugs and alcohol is sometimes harmless, but other times, it leads to more serious issues. Teens who use drugs and alcohol at an early age may be more susceptible to young adult drug abuse later in life. Parents often think drug and alcohol abuse is just a phase. If your teen is struggling with drugs or alcohol, it’s important to address the issue head-on.
College Students and Drugs/Alcohol
Young adult drug abuse runs rampant on college campuses. Students who attend college are twice as likely as other people their age to abuse drugs and alcohol. Many students who never tried alcohol in high school find themselves drawn to parties and binge drinking in college. There are several reasons that young adult drug abuse and alcohol abuse is so common on college campuses, including:
- Curiosity: many college students are on their own for the first time. They know that drug and alcohol use were not acceptable earlier in life, and now they have free reign to make their own decisions. While exploration is a normal part of growing up, experimenting with alcohol and drugs can lead to issues later in life.
- Stress: for the first time, college students are responsible for their success. There are no parent-teacher conferences to ensure that they’re making progress. For most students, there are no longer athletic coaches to keep them in line. Many students experience failure for the first time in college. Struggling to keep up with the demands of a university course load can lead to an unbearable amount of stress, and many find relief in alcohol or drugs.
- Fitting in: most high school students experience a tight group of friends. When they get to college, they’re on their own. Alcohol use can be an easy way to make new friends, as it both lowers social anxiety and can be something to do for people who are just getting to know each other. New friends in college often pressure one another to push their drinking to the limit.
Young Adult Drug Abuse Treatment
If your child is struggling with young adult drug abuse, we’re here to help. Red Oak Recovery® can help get your young adult back on the path to health and happiness. We offer many different types of treatment, including:
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Nutritional therapy
- Wilderness therapy
- 12-step addiction recovery
- Holistic therapy
We’ll work with your child to understand their stressors and issues, and we’ll find ways for them to cope. We offer family therapy to help all family members understand the role they play in your child’s recovery. Your family does not have to struggle through addiction alone. Recovery is possible. Call Red Oak Recovery® today at 866.457.7590 to learn more about how we can help your child get their life back.
