PTSD in Teens: Treating Co-Occurring Adolescent PTSD and Addiction

Raphael had a difficult childhood. He had a strained relationship with his mother, and his stepfather constantly beat him. Raphael was often locked in the basement for hours at a time as a punishment.

This triggered the development of emotional trauma. In response, he began abusing alcohol and marijuana. These substances provided relief and elation. He used them almost daily. His substance abuse resulted in drug dealing, angry outbursts and threatening behaviors.

He eventually found himself in a group home, where his physical and mental health improved. Through therapy, he dropped his substance use and improved his coping skills.

Raphael is a fictional representation based on the experiences many teens face today. Child protection services receive around 3 million reports of PTSD in children each year, according to the National Center for PTSD. Thirty percent of these cases involve abuse, ranging from neglect to physical, sexual and psychological abuse.

Anywhere from 15 to 43 percent of girls and 14 to 43 percent of boys in the United States experience a traumatic event, per the National Center for PTSD. Among this group, up to 15 percent of girls and 6 percent of boys experience PTSD.

Traumatic events may include physical abuse, sexual assault, vehicular accidents, cyberbullying or the death of a loved one. Looking for an outlet, many teens with PTSD turn to drugs or alcohol.

A 2010 study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors indicated that PTSD contributes to the development of marijuana abuse among teens. Another study, published in Depression and Anxiety, found PTSD resulting from physical abuse led to cocaine and marijuana use. The study associated emotional abuse with cocaine use.

However, there are ways to help your child avoid drug use resulting from a traumatic experience. The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides tips for parents looking to help their teens avoid substance abuse:

• Talk to your teen about drugs.Explain how drugs can affect his or her health, relationships and future.
• Spend time with your son or daughter.Take time out of your schedule to attend your child's extracurricular activities. This can be particularly beneficial if your teen is going through tough times.
• Keep tabs on your child's social life.Know what they are doing, where they hang out and with whom they spend time.
• Set and enforce rules.These guidelines help them understand what is safe and what is not.
• Create a safe home environment.Do not allow drug users into the home and stay cognizant of the items in your medicine cabinet.
• Teach your teen how to refuse drugs and alcohol.Peer pressure could lead them to substance abuse. Understanding how to say no can prevent a lifetime of consequences.

Peer pressure is prevalent among teens today. Many adolescents drink to fit in, which can lead to substance abuse and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says teens should exhibit confidence when turning down drugs. When saying no, they should stand up straight and make eye contact. They should express their feelings to the person offering drugs or alcohol.

If you suspect your adolescent uses drugs or alcohol, act quickly. Express your concerns while offering support. You should also request help from teachers, counselors or spiritual leaders. Be sure to educate yourself on the effects of substance abuse, and consider referring your son or daughter to professional resources such as therapy.

Exposure therapy can reduce PTSD symptoms. This method of treatment requires patients to relive their traumatic experience in a structured setting. They learn how to control their thoughts and change the way they react to stressful memories. Other therapies that have proven reliable include group and family therapy, cognitive therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), per the National Center for PTSD.

If your teen has a co-occurring disorder involving PTSD and substance abuse, seek immediate treatment. Each facility uses evidence-based techniques, performed by trained medical professionals, to help an individual overcome their problems.

Author Bio: Matt Gonzales is a writer and researcher for DrugRehab.com. He boasts several years of experience writing for a daily publication, multiple weekly journals, a quarterly magazine and various online platforms. He has a bachelor's degree in communication, with a Journalism concentration, from East Carolina University.