Young adulthood is a period of emotional, biological, and mental development. It also is the life stage that sees the onset of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and mood swings. The enormous change, matched with growing independence, that young adults often experience sometimes results in exposure to addictive substances.
Exposure can result in usage, which in turn puts someone in danger of developing an addiction. Fortunately, BoardPrep Recovery Center® can help young adults overcome addiction. If you or a teen you know is dealing with mental health issues and addiction, reach out to us online or at 866.796.4720 to learn more about our young adult addiction recovery programs.
Mental Health and Addiction
The co-occurrence of mental health and addiction is especially dangerous because each condition can intensify the other. This challenge makes the prospect of treating either ailment in isolation more difficult. Recent research identifies about 50% of individuals with mental health issues also become affected by substance abuse.
Due to how mental health and addiction feed off each other, it is unpredictable how an ailment may impact someone first. For instance, many people use alcohol and drugs to self-medicate the symptoms of their mental issues. Alternatively, substance abuse can negatively impact a person’s brain and their ability to navigate daily life, thereby causing a dip in their mental health.
Addiction in Teens
The teenage years are often a time of experimentation involving exposure to and experience with drugs and alcohol. While drug use among teens does not always result in addiction, it can have long-term cognitive and behavioral side effects in light of the teenage brain not being fully developed. Moreover, drug use in the teenage years is a predictor of substance abuse or addiction as an adult.
As many as half of all new drug users first encounter drugs prior to turning 18. Some common reasons teens may experiment with drugs include:
- Peer pressure
- Stress
- Family problems
- Emotional turmoil
- Escapism
- Curiosity
Drug or alcohol addiction can have a lasting effect on the individual’s life. Therefore, it is imperative to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Why Is Dual Diagnosis Important for Teens?
For teens who develop an addiction, a dual diagnosis treatment program becomes critical due to the prevalence of mental health disorders in young adults. A dual diagnosis treatment program emphasizes treating addiction and mental health concerns simultaneously to support young adult addiction recovery.
The majority of mental illnesses developing during the teenage years matched with the higher penchant for experimentation with drugs. As a result, these two ailments go hand in hand at higher rates among teens compared to adults.
The remaining development that teen bodies and brains require makes these formative years a pivotal time to address addiction and a mental health issue at the same time. Otherwise, one or both may continue to harm an individual’s development and restrict their ability to live a whole life.
Seek Treatment at BoardPrep Recovery Center®
BoardPrep Recovery Center® in Tampa, Florida, offers an integrated, comprehensive approach to dual diagnosis treatment. We understand the unique challenges young adults face and work hard to provide something we call “in-community recovery support.” This innovation, which sets us apart from other addiction recovery centers, includes home visits, telehealth, and twelve-step facilitation as a core part of our treatment.
All this means that teens undergoing dual diagnosis treatment at BoardPrep Recovery Center® receive support, focusing on retaining and supporting key family bonds that aid in the recovery process.
We are here to help if you or a teen you know could benefit from dual diagnosis treatment to address a mental illness and addiction. Please contact us online or at 866.796.4720 to access the help you deserve and begin your healing journey.
