Opiate addiction is a complex disorder with many differing
views regarding its treatment. A controversial, yet effective drug treatment
for teenagers is Methadone. Although doctors rarely select Methadone to treat
teenage drug addiction, it remains one of the most effective drugs on the
market today.
Today, opiates have become one of the most preferred drug
choice among school children. More than thirty percent of eight graders have
already used illegal drugs at some point in their lives. These statistics get
scarier when twelve graders are factored in. These statistics point to an
epidemic of adolescent drug use and addiction.
Reason for drug abuse among kids
Kids take to drug abuse for mostly the same reasons as
adults. To feel happy, relaxed, ease stress and tension, suppress
disappointment or anger. People who take to drug abuse majorly do this to get
their minds off trouble.
Many parents are familiar with heroin opiates, but do not
understand that brand name painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin, are
narcotic opiate drugs, prescribed specially for pain treatment and kids are
likely to stumble upon these drugs in the home cabinet and experiment with
them. Opiates are readily available and are more obvious at school where
students sell the pills during school day.
Treating Teenage Drug Addiction
Drug treatment for adolescents is not that easy because kids
do not fancy drug treatment as they would have to listen to lectures, have
counselors dig into their past, sit with strangers and forced to place their
feelings to the fore. The idea that there is a gang up between the school
system, the courts and their parents to force them to seek help drives them
further into rebellion.
The most effective treatment for opiate addiction in teens
is Methadone. It is very effective and only few teens suffer a relapse, however
not many drug addiction programs offer Methadone treatment to adolescent
substance abusers. Methadone is a synthetic product with a chemical composition
similar to opiates. It is because of the closed similarities, that Methadone
works quickly and effectively. It will prevent to a large extent, the physical
effects of withdrawal. Although it may be risky fighting a drug addiction with
another drug, Methadone has been most successful for treatment of teenage drug
addiction. The dosage is reduced as patients stabilize and tolerance levels are
established.
Behavioral Signs and Symptoms of Opiate Use
Most parents with kids that are abusing drugs often remark
that they were not aware of their child’s drug use or didn’t know what signs to
look out for. Knowing the signs and symptoms of opiate use can help parents
seek fast solutions for their kids. Here are some behavioral signs and symptoms
to alert parents of possible drug use.
• Unusual mood swings and aggressive behavior
• Deterioration in personal hygiene and dress sense
• Absenteeism or lateness for school or work
• Frequent conflicts with figures in authority
• Covering up suspicious behavior by lying, being vague, etc
• Sudden change of habits, loss of purpose and personal
motivation
• Excessive borrowing of money
• Stealing from family, friends, school
• Selling off personal wares, with little to show for it
• Drop in performance
• Poor appetite and weight loss
• Bouts of depression and shyness
• Spending large periods of time away from home
• Sleeping excessively
These signs and symptoms are not strictly restricted to drug use. It could be a normal adolescent behavior or as a result of something with
no direct relationship to drug use. To be completely sure of your suspicions,
you need to get physical evidence to back up your observations.
More than half the teenage student population have tried
opiates and that number is increasing at an alarming rate. With such high
numbers, parents must do all they can to help their teens avoid drug use or if
they are already using, help register them to a rehab to begin a methadone
treatment plan to fight drug addiction.
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