Young Adult Drug Addiction: Why Early Treatment Matters

Young adults, meaning those between 18 and 25 years of age, have the highest prevalence of substance use compared to other age groups. This substance use often becomes an addiction that requires treatment, although unfortunately, many young adults do not seek treatment. If you are the parent or loved one of a young adult who you believe has an addiction, it’s important to know why early treatment of addiction in this age group is critical.

Why Early Addiction Treatment Matters for Young Adults

Early addiction treatment is even more important for young adults than it is for other age groups. Young adults are just starting their lives, and addiction, unfortunately can sabotage their future if it’s not treated. Reasons that early addiction treatment matters for young adults include:

• Brain Development: The brains of young adults are still developing, and addiction can interfere with this development, leading to cognitive impairment that may be permanent.
• Higher Success Rates in Treatment: Young adults are more adaptable than older people and can learn and retain healthy coping mechanisms better.
• Prevention of Mental Health Issues: Often, people with addictions also suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders, and addiction can make symptoms of these disorders worse. Early treatment can treat both the addiction and the mental health disorders concurrently, which can prevent future mental health issues.
• Avoidance of Legal Issues: People with addictions often have legal consequences for driving under the influence, drug possession, or theft. These legal issues can affect the young adult’s future, but early treatment can prevent these consequences from occurring.
• Prevention of Chronic Addiction: The longer addiction goes untreated, the more difficult it is to treat. This can lead to chronic addiction and years spent in and out of treatment, affecting their entire future.
• A Head Start on Life: Young adults should typically be planning for their futures, attending college, or starting a career path. Early addiction intervention can prevent delays in starting to achieve their life goals.

Risk Factors for Substance Abuse in Young Adults

Understanding the risk factors for substance abuse in young adults can indicate that you might need to pay more attention and look for signs of addiction in a young adult. Risk factors include:

• Stress: Stress is a major risk factor for substance use in teenagers and young adults, including stress caused by school or work, or stress from life events such as the death of a loved one.
• Depression or anxiety: Mental health disorders like depression and anxiety often go hand in hand with substance abuse. Young adults may use substances to self-medicate their mental health disorder symptoms.
• Trauma: A history of trauma in the young adult’s life, such as abuse or being the victim of a crime can lead to substance abuse.
• Peer pressure: Young adults can still be vulnerable to peer pressure, particularly in college where drinking alcohol or using substances is often prevalent.
• Family dysfunction: Family conflicts, or family events such as divorce can lead to substance use in young adults.

Signs of Addiction in Young Adults

It’s important for parents and loved ones of young adults to recognize the signs of addiction so that they can offer help and support.

Signs include:

• Frequent illnesses
• Fatigue
• Nosebleeds
• Sores around the mouth
• Weight loss
• Relationship issues
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of interest in future plans
• Loss of interest in activities they enjoy

Understanding Treatment Options

If you want to intervene in a young adult’s addiction struggle, you need to understand treatment options so that you can provide them with information. Start by finding treatment facilities in your area and learning what they have to offer.

Most addiction treatment facilities offer three treatment programs that should be attended consecutively, although each one can be a standalone treatment option. These programs are:

• Inpatient Treatment: An inpatient treatment program lasts from 30 to 90 days, and involves a period of medically supervised detox, followed by intensive therapy.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): A PHP allows the young adult to live at home while attending treatment for four to six hours per day, usually five days a week. The program may last anywhere from four weeks to ten weeks. The treatment consists of therapy similar to that of inpatient treatment.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): An IOP consists of two to three hours of therapy several days a week for eight to twelve weeks. Often, sessions are held in the evenings so that the person can still go to work or attend school.

How to Talk to a Young Adult About Addiction

Having a conversation with a young adult in your life may not be easy if they have not yet acknowledged that they have a problem, but making an attempt may save their life.

Choose a time to have a conversation when they will be sober, and a place where there will be privacy and no interruptions.

The conversation should be centered around your concerns about their life and health, and how their addiction is affecting you. Express your knowledge about addiction and the importance of early treatment, but don’t lecture. It’s important to give them a chance to speak and respond to what you’re saying. Don’t interrupt them or talk over them. Wait until they finish, and then you can address their objections or misconceptions

Sometimes it’s easy to get angry at someone struggling with addiction because you can clearly see that they’re hurting themselves, but you need to stay calm and empathetic. Speak from your heart, and make sure they know how important they are to you and that your concern comes from love.

When you feel it’s time, give them the information that you’ve gathered about treatment options, and offer to help them make the call. Let them know that you’ll be there with them every step of the way.

In Closing

Addiction in young adults can lead to a lifetime of substance abuse struggles, so early treatment is critical. If a young adult in your life is struggling with addiction, intervening can encourage them to get the help that they need. Bridges of Hope offers several treatment options that can help young adults to move forward to a healthier future. We are committed to providing comprehensive, personalized, compassionate care. Give us a call today to learn more.