You suspect that your teen might have an opioid addiction. But how do you tell the symptoms apart from regular teenage behavior? Experts say it’s not actually about the symptoms but the patterns they occur in.
It’s startlingly easy for a teen to get addicted to opioids these days, but many parents share the same question: how can you distinguish the symptoms of an addiction from just normal teenage moodiness? Experts like the team at Clearfork Academy say that while the symptoms are important, it’s even more crucial to recognize the patterns in which they occur. That’s because those patterns will give you a definitive idea of what’s happening.
Opioid use disorder in teens may be difficult to recognize because the earliest warning signs overlap with symptoms of illnesses or behaviors caused by natural hormone fluctuations that are common during adolescence. While mood swings, social withdrawal, gradual weight loss, or acute flu-like symptoms in isolation are typically not a cause for concern, experts say parents should take note if these symptoms occur simultaneously, as they can indicate dependence on opioids.
Opioids can also cause other physical symptoms that are more reliable indications of dependence and addiction. One example is constricted pupils even in low light; this occurs because opioids impact the muscles that control pupil dilation.
Another sign of opioid use is respiratory depression, or slowed breathing; this is the primary cause of overdose deaths in teens and should be addressed with urgency if noticed.
Additionally, recurring flu-like symptoms should be monitored, especially if the teen recovers quickly, then gets sick again repeatedly. Individuals physically dependent on opioids will enter withdrawal if they are unable to access the drug, and the associated symptoms often mimic the flu.
Again, it’s not about what occurs. It’s about how it occurs and whether it happens all at once.
It’s not the end of the world if your teen has an opioid addiction. While early interventions usually result in the best outcomes for opioid use disorder, there are treatment options for teens at any stage of their addiction.
Experts agree that the most effective approach is medication-assisted treatment, which involves using FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine and methadone to reduce dependence on opioids and stabilize the patient. Once this medical detox has been completed, most programs will then provide the teen with evidence-based behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, which will address any mental health conditions contributing to the cycle of addiction.
Teen opioid rehab programs may be offered as inpatient (residential) or outpatient treatments. The most suitable option will depend on the severity of your teen’s addiction. If they have a moderate addiction but are stable enough to stay at home, then an outpatient program will do the job. But if they absolutely need monitoring, then a residential rehab program will give them the best chance at recovery.
