New Trends in Teen Drug Use

Back to school for teens can mean back to stress, back to deadlines, and back to peer pressure. 

“New opportunities, new friends, see who could get what,” said Jack, a 21-year-old recovering drug addict who declined to give his last name. “From pills I went on to heroin and crack but I tried everything else in between.”
               
The Long Island native started using drugs when he was just 15 years old and a freshman in high school.  The beginning of the school year, Jack said, is when teenagers, especially new users, experiment with drugs.

“It can be any kid, it can happen anywhere," Jack said. "I didn’t plan on this.”

While the dangers of heroin, prescription pills, and bath salts are well known, Jack said parents should be aware of the latest trends, like huffing freon gas from air conditioning units, to using Nutmeg, something that can be found in most kitchen cupboards.

“I found out about the nutmeg and I just went and bought it and you have to eat lot of it and you get very nauseous and it’s horrible,” Jack said.

Many in the recovery community say the beginning of the school year means parents must be educated in not only the trends, but the techniques young people use to keep their drug use hidden.  Young people often hide drugs in lipstick tubes and electronic equipment.

Experts say parents should take inventory of items in their house, know how many prescription pills are in a bottle and even how much nutmeg is in the cupboard. 

Jack has been in a rehab treatment facility, and on the road to recovery for months. He said he chose to share his story in the hopes that he could spare at least one life and one family from the pain of addiction.

“I’m really happy to be clean,” Jack said confidently.

Paradigm Malibu is devoted to the provision of state of the art Teen Drug Treatment, Adolescent Behavioral Health, Mental Health and Emotional Health Treatment. To learn more about our services, please visit our web site at: www.paradigmmalibu.com