Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research, Founder, and Director, Dr. John Knight says that addiction is turning into a pediatric disease. When questioned addicts on when the habit started the answer are identical, it started when young, during their teens. Despite habits like smoking, alcohol and drugs are decreasing recently in the US, around 8.8 percent of youngsters between the age of 12 and 17 years are using illicit drugs informs 2014 Behavioral Health Barometer for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Youngsters when using drugs can change their brain development turning them into addicts inform Knight. When drugs are being used from a young age, the changes in the brain structure are pronounced. Addiction in the US can be contained if youngster postpones alcohol and drugs. In some parts of the country, teenagers are using drugs at a very early stage. Kids in the recent times are sicker than those compared to the past informs Clinical Supervisor Sara Ellsworth, True North Student Assistance and Treatment Services in Olympia.
Sara adds that last year 700 students were attended from the 44 rural schools in the district. She informs that most of these victims have a history of trauma from domestic violence, sexual abuse, homicide, rape or parental substance abuse. It is also analyzed that over half have at least a mental condition. Another disturbing pattern that is peeking is the use of marijuana or alcohol at a tender age as part of self medication. This turns into an extreme drug habit over a period of time. Kids that are using less are better but those that are crossing the limits are being victimized fast.
Rob Vincent, SAMHSA public health analyst, says that around 10 percent of people in the United States are vulnerable to substance abuse at one point in time or other. These people need therapy, he informs, and the youth find it hard to overcome. Statistics say only 1 of twenty kids get treated of those kids between 12 and 17 that come for a treatment. Health officials have understood the need for early prevention as treatment for drug and alcohol abuse is turning impractical. This is dubbed as Screening, Brief, Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).
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