Parents in every state experience the heartbreak of watching their children struggle with substance use disorders. Unfortunately, that includes the state of Virginia. If you are concerned about symptoms of substance use disorder in your teen, an adolescent treatment center may be the right option for your family.
Foothills at Red Oak Recovery specializes in treatment for adolescent boys. Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery at 866.300.5275 today for more information.
Statistics and News About Teen Addiction in Virginia
For many people, substance use disorders begin in adolescence. Whether it’s with prescription medications, alcohol, or marijuana, what begins as experimentation turns into full-blown substance use disorder for some teens.
Repeated and frequent use eventually leads to poor academic performance, trouble at home, damaged relationships, and serious health risks.
Unfortunately, no state is immune to the dangers of substance use among teens. A survey of Virginia high school students conducted by the Virginia Department of Health gathered the following news about teen addiction in Virginia:
- Two percent of Virginia students between 15 and 17 years old reported current use of heroin
- Eight percent were currently using a prescription medication without a valid prescription
- Eleven percent of students had five or more drinks during one episode in the past 30 days
- 45% of the students who reported drinking alcohol within the last 30 days said someone gave it to them
- Virginia students were more likely to skip school if they had recently consumed alcohol or drugs
- Virginia students who had recently consumed alcohol or drugs were more likely to experience symptoms of depression
While young people may be most vulnerable to the effects of substance use disorders, the largest demographic of people in Virginia with unmet addiction treatment needs are those who are 18 to 25 years old.
Risks of Addiction: Teen Virginia Facts
Adolescence is a time of growth and exploration. Not only is a teen’s body changing on the outside, but the teenage brain is also continuing to develop. Some brain functions mature at a different speed than others. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, substance use disorders at this time of life can affect a child’s long-term development by:
- Damaging connections within the brain
- Interfering with brain neurotransmitters
- Causing memory problems
- Leading to poor academic performance
- Ingraining unhealthy habits
- Damaging perceptual abilities
- Negatively affecting the reproductive system
- Decreasing bone mineral density
- Causing liver damage
- Limiting growth (shorter limbs or height)
- Delaying puberty
The physical effects of substance use are only part of the picture. Developing a substance use disorder during teen years can also lead to legal problems, a criminal record, delayed career opportunities, and unplanned pregnancies.
Depression and Addiction: Teen Virginia Stats
Rates of depression among teens are on the rise. Depression affects around 20% of all adolescents, and in the U.S., suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people aged 10 to 24 years old. Self-harm and suicide numbers are increasing among Virginia teens. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reports that over 90% of hospitalizations due to self-harm were caused by drug overdose.
Alcohol and substance use is a major factors in suicide attempts among Virginia youth. The VDH reports that providing treatment for addiction disorders helps to prevent suicide and self-harm. To fully address addiction problems, teen Virginia providers must also be trained to treat depression and other co-occurring disorders.
Get Help for Your Teen at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
The statistics about addiction among teens in Virginia are startling, but they aren’t hopeless. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, our programs are designed to help teens build self-esteem, improve communication skills, and address the causes of addiction, not just the damage. Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275 and learn more about how we are helping Virginia teens to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
