Risk factors can influence teen drug abuse in several ways. The more risks a child is exposed to, the more likely the child will abuse drugs. Some factors may be more powerful than others such as peer pressure during the teenage years; just as some protective factors have a greater impact on reducing risks during the early years. An important goal of teen drug abuse prevention is to change the balance between risk and protective factors.

It is important for parents to realize that drug use does not always mean dependence. Only a very small number of teenagers who use drugs will develop dependence or addiction-a strong desire to continue using drugs because they have become an important part of their daily lives. If your child has become addicted, we hope these pages will provide information and insight that will help.

Helping a Teenager Who is Using Drugs

If warning signs point to a child on street drugs like cocaine, meth and even marijuana, it's time to take action. If you deal with young adult drug use head-on, there's a very good chance your child can be helped. Don't spend time hiding from the problem. Spend your time helping your child learn the dangers of illegal drug use. The faster you act, the faster your child or teenager can start to become well again.READ MORE

Drug Addiction Treatment Methods

Drug addiction is a treatable disorder. Through treatment that is tailored to individual needs, young adults and teens can learn to control their condition and live normal, productive lives. Like people with diabetes or heart disease, people in treatment for drug addiction learn behavioral changes and often take medications as part of their treatment regimen. READ MORE

High School and Youth Trends

Since 1975, the MTF has annually studied the extent of drug abuse among high school 12th graders. The survey was expanded in 1991 to include 8th and 10th graders. It is funded by NIDA and is conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. The goal of the survey is to collect data on past month, past year, and lifetime drug use among students in these grade levels. This, the 28th annual study, was conducted during spring 2002 READ MORE

If Drug Addiction Is a Disease, Is There a Cure?

There is no cure for drug addiction, but it is a treatable disease; drug addicts can recover. Drug addiction therapy is a program of behavior change or modification that slowly retrains the brain. Like people with diabetes or heart disease, people in treatment for drug addiction learn behavioral changes and often take medications as part of their treatment regimen.