Marijuana use has recently surpassed cigarette use among teens. This is a significant statistic since tobacco use has never stopped rising among the younger demographic, despite its decline in other age groups. Marijuana harms developing brains, but the gap between what people believe about marijuana’s safety among teens and the truth is enormous. Marijuana addiction treatment is an option for teens or adults who cannot stop abusing the drug despite its harm to brains and lives.
To learn more about how to help your teen stop their marijuana habit in a marijuana treatment center, call Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge (PAATC) today. We offer treatment for teens at our outpatient treatment center. In addition, we offer treatment at our inpatient treatment for teens over 18. Dial 844.442.8673 or use our online form.
Marijuana’s Effects on the Teenage Brain
In many cases, teens and even their parents have little or no sense of danger or risk regarding cannabis use. They are likely to say that it can’t harm them because it is legal, organic or natural, and used for medical purposes. They will also claim that cannabis is not addictive.
Cannabis may be habit-forming and can trap anyone in a cycle of overuse and abuse. In teens who use it every day, addiction rates are about 30%. Tolerance forms swiftly among regular users so that more and more is smoked or ingested to achieve the same high. Apathy and lethargy among intensive users can derail school and job performance, relationships, and more.
The most damaging thing about marijuana use among young people is that it harms the brain, which is still developing until age 25. Two vital developmental processes happen in the young brain:
- Synaptic refinement-This process is essentially the pruning of nerve connections that create an ordered brain.
- Myelination-This important aspect of cerebral development builds and speeds up connections within the brain.
Marijuana directly interferes with these processes. Many brain scientists and physicians believe that THC is neurotoxic for anyone under 25.
Consequences of Marijuana Use in Teens
Many early marijuana studies were done using plants with a 3% THC concentration. Today, most marijuana has 8% or higher. That is a significant difference when it comes to brain effects. Getting information to parents and teens about the potential harm pot is doing is one way to encourage them to learn about marijuana treatment programs.
Some of the consequences of marijuana use among kids and teens include:
- Decrease in cognitive functions
- Reduced verbal scores
- Reduced overall IQ
- Memory impairment
Genetics, family history, and trauma can amplify the effects of daily marijuana use and addiction among teens.
Seek Addiction Treatment at Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge
Half the battle is getting buy-in from the teen with a marijuana use disorder. If they do not see their marijuana use as a problem, treatment is less likely to be effective. At PAATC, we meet teens where they are. We have professionals who are experts in working with teens for marijuana abuse and addiction.
We offer the following:
- Residential treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Holistic therapies
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Support groups
- Music therapy
Behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are some of the most effective treatment modalities for teens struggling with marijuana addiction. CBT is a psychotherapy that teaches clients how to identify and correct harmful behaviors. Gaining self-awareness helps shift beliefs and the actions that arise from those beliefs and help teens stop using marijuana and other drugs. At PAATC, our CBT therapies are offered in both group and individual settings.
Teens have greater success in recovery when they have access to peers going through the same thing. At PAATC, your teen will be able to grapple with marijuana abuse and its consequences alongside others who are doing the same. This peer group can offer healthy ongoing support after discharge from the marijuana treatment program. To learn more about the options, call us today at 844.442.8673 or simply contact us via our online form.