The Relationship Between Teenage Depression and Drug Use

Peer Pressure

The problem of teenage depression and drug abuse has been the subject of several studies, and the relationship between the two is becoming clearer. Among teenagers struggling with depression, many "self-medicate" with alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. The relationship between teenage depression and drug abuse isn't all that clear, as doctors are not sure which came first. Abuse of some substances can lead to depression, and depression can cause one to abuse substances. And, with some people, an external event or influence could lead to both problems.

Teens have to deal with a large number of decisions at a young age, and many are not equipped yet with enough data or mature judgment to make some very tough choices. For example, when a friend offers them drugs, do they try it or do they politely decline, feeling like they may be teased or considered not as "with it" as other kids. Being expelled from a group is hard for a person at any age, but as a teenager the loss of this peer group is devastating. In an effort to belong, or to feel a part of the in-crowd, teens may be pushed into drug use, sex or drinking when they don't really want to. To handle some of these conflicting motivations, some teenagers resort to self-medicating, as well as using drugs with friends. This may be a very poor decision.

Use of Marijuana

The use of marijuana for example, can lead to serious mental health problems, but many teens are not aware of these, and may believe marijuana use to be harmless. In fact, using marijuana could lead to anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression and suicide. To a teenager who suffers with depression already, use of marijuana makes him two times as likely as others to develop a dependency on the drug.

Teenage Depression

Substance abuse affects hundreds of thousands of teenagers each year. Drug dependence can be physical or psychological. It results in increasing difficulty carrying out one's normal daily responsibilities and routines. It may take up a large part of the teen's time and activities, regardless of the consequences. If this describes your teen or someone you know or care about, they may need your help in finding effective drug addiction treatment to recover from the problem.

Narconon Drug Addiction Treatment Offers an Effective Solution

When one chooses Narconon for addiction treatment, it is very common for a person to recover not only from addiction but also from depression that actually resulted from the effects of drug use and addiction. First one goes through a very effective and tolerable withdrawal period, followed by the Narconon New Life Detoxification Program. On this unique step, one follows a strict regimen of daily moderate exercise, vitamins and mineral supplementation, and time spent in a dry-heat sauna. This combination has been shown to be effective in ridding the body of toxic residues of drugs and alcohol that may be stored for years in its fatty tissues. Once the toxic residues are removed, many people undergoing this program report their mood brightens, they have more optimism for the future, and they have far fewer or even no cravings for more drugs.

Following the physical aspect of the Narconon drug addiction program, one enters the life skills portion of the program. On this part one learns the many life skills he may have lost, or may never have learned that will enable him to live a drug-free and productive life, long after completing rehab. The key to the life skills training is that one learns how to repair the damage he may have caused while on drugs or alcohol, handling guilt, and he can restore his self-respect and personal integrity in the process. After the courses one studies on this portion of the Narconon drug addiction treatment program, he has regained his own moral compass, and has charted a plan for a drug-free future. The success of the Narconon program is a documented seventy percent, in all the fifty locations around the world. This means that following graduation, at least seven of ten graduates of the Narconon program remain sober and drug free for a minimum of two years. This is one of the highest rates of lasting sobriety among any drug rehab treatment programs.

Overcome Drug Addiction

Find out all the details of the Narconon program by going to, or calling and talking to a trained intake counselor. Help is available at Narconon for both teens and adults who may be suffering from depression and drug abuse.


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