Adolescent addictions must be treated in a different manner than adult addictions because teens do not possess the social and emotional skills that most adults do and teens are still developing their personalities and identities.  

Often times, teens who suffer from addictions are those who have a family history of alcoholism/addiction and whose parents have relationship problems.  Teens tend to copy the destructive behavior of their parents and family problems lead a teenager to seeking out drug using friends so they can feel a sense of belonging which they are missing at home. Other risk factors are lack of supervision, harsh discipline by parents, tolerance by parents of teen drinking, economic conditions and conflict with parents.

 Because children are emotionally immature, they tend to develop addictions fairly quickly.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms that your child may be using drugs or abusing alcohol:

• Persistent cough

• Risky behavior such as unprotected sex

• Academic failure

• Unexplained injuries

• Unexplained weight loss 

• Pregnancy

• Needle marks

• Wears long sleeve shirts even though it's summer

• Depression

• Talk about suicide

• Dilated pupils

• Bloodshot pupils

• Extreme perspiration

• Irritability, temper control problems

• Rebellious behavior

• Hangs out with a new group of friends

• Lack of interest in hobbies

• Smell of alcohol or other substance on clothes and breath

•  Find drugs or alcohol in school backpack

• Memory loss

• Unable to concentrate/focus