Teens and adolescents are remarkably vulnerable to the life-threatening consequences of drug and alcohol use. The human body, particularly in this critical developmental stage, is highly susceptible to the harmful effects of substance abuse, including organ damage, impaired brain development, and overdose.
Understanding the Rise in Substance Abuse and Overdoses in Teens
The growing number of teen overdoses and drug overdose deaths in the US has been notably alarming in recent years. This overdose surge is attributed to several factors, including the spread of illicit fentanyl in the drug supply, lack of education, mental health crisis, and social media.
The Role of Fentanyl in Teen Overdose Surge
One of the most significant contributors to the drug overdose epidemic is the proliferation of fentanyl in the drug market. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 100 times more potent than morphine. Recreational drugs and prescription medications have been found contaminated with lethal doses of fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdose. For teens and adolescents who are uneducated when it comes to recreational drug use and the risks associated, the overdose risk is significantly higher.
Overdose rates in adolescents and teens ages 14 to 18 increased by 94% from 2019 to 2020 and over 20% from 2020 to 2021. In 2020, adolescents saw a tremendous increase in overdose mortality than the overall US population. A significant amount of these fatalities were attributed to fentanyl contamination.
Mental Health Crisis Among Teens and Adolescents
The mental health crisis among adolescents and teens has been a large contributor to rising overdose rates. The teenage years come with many physical changes and psychological challenges, which can lead to mental health issues. Depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other mental illnesses are prevalent among this age group, largely a result of bullying, academic pressures, and social media.
Mental health issues among teens are often something they keep to themselves, resulting in bottled-up emotions and a lack of treatment and support. Emotional instability without treatment or a support system can exacerbate symptoms, contributing to anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and risk of suicide.
Teens may turn to alcohol or drugs to mitigate emotional pain, cope with academic stress, or as an act of rebellion. Self-medicating with substances, especially for adolescents who lack proper education on substance use, can result in life-altering consequences like an overdose.
The Impact of Social Media on Drug Culture
Social media platforms significantly shape and influence teenagers’ behaviors and decision-making. Teen drug culture is often a result of online influencers, peer groups, or even drug dealers exposing adolescents to drug use on social platforms. This exposure can spark curiosity in teens, especially when these platforms glamorize substance use and display it as a harmless activity.
If teens are under the impression that certain types of drugs, including recreational marijuana or psychedelics, are ‘casual’ or ‘safe’ to use, they’re more likely to experiment. When adolescents are exposed to drugs and alcohol at a young age, they’re often not fully aware of the associated health risks and consequences. This can lead them to unknowingly consume drugs that are laced with fatal doses of fentanyl, raising the risks of overdose death among teens.
Lack of Awareness and Education
The lack of awareness and education about the dangers of illicit drugs, especially fentanyl, has led many teenagers to experiment and overconsume. Understanding the risks of drug and alcohol use, specifically illegal drugs, is crucial for adolescents and teenagers in today’s day and age. With teen overdose numbers at an all-time high, the fentanyl crisis is to blame.
With the contamination of fentanyl in the drug market, as well as the increased availability of more potent drugs like heroin, cocaine, and prescription opioids, drug education programs are imperative. Uneducated teens and adolescents may consume lethal doses of a substance without knowing it or not know how to respond in case of a drug-related emergency.
Ways to Address the Teen Drug Overdose Crisis
Acknowledging the risks and reasons contributing to the teen overdose surge can help families, schools, and communities mitigate the issue. With such a strong social media influence on adolescents, teens, and young adults, schools and parental involvement are critical for ensuring children retain the proper education when it comes to substance use. A combination of drug education and awareness, parental involvement, and mental health support can help address this alarming trend among teens.
Increased Drug Education and Awareness
While many schools and communities offer drug prevention programs, this does not always cover the severe drug overdose threat that teens face. These programs often focus on marijuana and alcohol as the primary sources yet fail to mention the severe threat of fentanyl and counterfeit substances. Schools and communities must update their drug education and prevention programs to address current trends in substance use and drug overdose risks, particularly the dangers of fentanyl.
Parental Involvement and Support
When it comes to drug and alcohol use, parental involvement can be complex, as many teens refuse to listen to them. They might believe they’re exaggerating or just telling them because they don’t want them to try drugs or alcohol. While many parents don’t want their teenagers to engage in underage substance use, you must be able to have open and honest conversations.
If teenagers don’t feel comfortable opening up to their parents because they’re afraid to be punished, this can lead to dangerous behaviors in secret. As a parent, it’s crucial to approach your teenager from a place of understanding and empathy while educating them on the dangers of drug use and overdose risks.
Mental Health Support
Mental health support for teenagers and adolescents can help address the underlying issues that may be contributing to their substance use. Expanding services such as therapy, counseling, and school-based mental health programs can help provide teens with the necessary treatment and support.
Access to Addiction Treatment and Harm Reduction
Harm reduction resources in schools and communities, such as naloxone (Narcan), can help save lives in the emergency of an opioid or fentanyl overdose. Narcan (naloxone) is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, such as heroin, fentanyl, morphine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone. Access to drug and alcohol treatment programs for teenagers can help teens struggling with substance abuse and addiction.
The risks of drug abuse in teens and adolescents are far-reaching, impacting their psychological well-being, physical health, and social development. If your teen is struggling with addiction or substance use, don’t wait another minute. Getting your teenager support and treatment for substance abuse is critical for protecting them from the long-term consequences of drug use, including fatal overdose.
Coastal Detox offers comprehensive drug rehab programs in Stuart, FL, for those struggling with opioid addiction, alcohol abuse, heroin, and fentanyl addiction.
Reach out today for treatment at our South Florida drug detox facility.
References:
- American Psychological Association, 2024. More teens than ever are overdosing. Psychologists are leading new approaches to combat youth substance misuse.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2022. Most reported substance use among adolescents held steady in 2022.
- JAMA Network, 2022. Trends in Drug Overdose Deaths Among US Adolescents, January 2010 to June 2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adolescent and School Health: High-Risk Substance Use Among Youth.
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Facts About Fentanyl.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2022. Naloxone DrugFacts.