Depression And Pot – A Bad Combo For Teens in Palm Beach

Ask any recovering addict out there, and they will tell you that their addiction began with pot. And this usually happens during one’s teenage years. Teenagers don’t realize how detrimental marijuana can be to their health – both physically and mentally. In fact, there’s a lot of research that supports the claim that depression and pot are closely connected, making this a bad combo for teens in Palm Beach. If you notice that your child is exhibiting some symptoms of drug use, then you will most likely find yourself searching for a fine Palm Beach detox center. As a treatment center in the area, we are here to share our knowledge on the subject.

Teens and mental health

Oftentimes, we have this predisposition to believe that teens and students have it all. As grown-ups who are experiencing a different set of problems, we sometimes lack the ability to understand the difficulties the younger generations are experiencing. And unless you have been a teen who has struggled with mental health problems that have urged you to search for help in crack cocaine rehab centers later on in life, you might not understand an average teenager. But just because we don’t understand something doesn’t make it any less real.

Studies show that millions of teens are dealing with mental health issues, which can range from occasional depressive episodes to more serious diagnoses, such as schizophrenia. Teens who are going through this are usually too young to understand that something is going on. Hey, a grown-up person with plenty of experience in life sometimes has a problem recognizing that they are struggling with depression. So you can only imagine how much more difficult it is for a young person. Of course, the right approach from the right people can save the day, and it can help a teenager understand that they might need to look for some professional assistance. Otherwise, there is a big chance that they might start to look for a solution to their problems in something else.

Depression and pot – what is the connection?

It’s important to begin by saying that there isn’t substantial research that shows that marijuana can cause depression. These findings were obtained by looking into hundreds of cases of those who were in a heroin, cocaine, or meth rehab Florida facility. Of course, don’t take this as a sign to consume marijuana if you believe that you aren’t suffering from depression, as marijuana is a drug and, as such, it’s not going to be beneficial for you. The thing that makes depression and pot a bad combo for teens in Palm Beach is the fact that marijuana can worsen one’s already existing depression.

Many studies have been conducted on the topics of mental health and addiction. And the findings were quite clear. Most of those people who have found themselves in an Oxycodone rehab Palm Beach center said that they first started experimenting with drugs after going through depression and mental health problems. Usually, drugs and alcohol are seen as a way to find solace and escape one’s reality. And if grown-ups are doing it, you best believe that teenagers are using drugs precisely for these purposes.

How does addiction develop?

Teenagers are still getting to know the world and the way it functions. Their emotions and behaviors are affected by their hormones, which is why every feeling could be intensified – including depression. Since teens and young adults usually don’t have all the right tools for coping with their problems, they find themselves resorting to drugs. And marijuana is one of the most easily available drugs, making it a logical first choice. What usually happens is that a person initially likes the so-called high drugs produce. Since they feel relaxed with drugs in their system, they start seeking that feeling time and time again. Only now, they need more of the drug to experience that high. Ask any person in a residential drug treatment Florida facility, and they will tell you that this was how their problems with addiction began.

At this point, a teenager will have two huge problems – addiction and depression. While marijuana might have helped in the beginning, at least temporarily, with time, it will actually worsen one’s depression. Additionally, there’s a lot of research that supports the claim that marijuana use in teen years is linked to higher chances for depression in adulthood. The reason why this happens isn’t exactly clear. However, there’s a lot of evidence that indicates that this happens because marijuana in the teenage years changes development in the important areas of the brain. We know that teenagers’ brains are still developing, so they are susceptible to this change.

The matter of peer pressure

It’s important to mention that teens aren’t likely to experiment with marijuana only when searching for an escape from reality. Many teens succumb to famous peer pressure. Since they are usually still unable to fully make their own decisions, they might be easily persuaded. However, even if this is the reason why your teen has started smoking pot, the end result could still be the same. They still might find themselves in need of an Adderall addiction rehab Boynton Beach center, as marijuana almost always leads to the use of other drugs.

As a parent, you might try everything in your power to stop peers from affecting your child. The truth is that you can’t oversee what they are doing 24/7. All you can do is teach them about the dangers of drugs and marijuana. Every decision that they make after that will be their own.

This bad combo for teens in Palm Beach could lead to suicide

Depression is a state of mind that can range in severity. Some people will be completely functional, and they will only experience a few symptoms of depression. Others, on the other hand, will be hit by the full force of depression. Unfortunately, suicide is the worst outcome that can come out of depression. Many people will be dealing with suicidal thoughts without asking for any help, which usually results in the worst-case scenario.

That being said, it’s important to know that teens who use pot are more likely to think about suicide than the ones who aren’t using it. To be more precise, they are three times more likely to be dealing with these thoughts. If you are reading this as a parent, we understand that you might be scared. And while you can’t always know whether your teen is struggling with these thoughts, there are some signs that point toward it. Those would be:

• The withdrawal from family and friends
• Changes in their sleeping or eating pattern
• Using the Internet to research suicide
• Talking about death
• Gifting items that they love
• Taking more risks than usual
• Experiencing extreme mood shifts

Now, if you know that your teen is having a depressive episode and is experiencing these signs, it’s important to search for help. As much as you love them, you won’t be able to help them out by yourself. What you need to do is start researching the best treatment facilities in the area and asking questions like ‘is drug rehab covered under FMLA.’ Rehab can be expensive, so it’s best to know what your options are, allowing you to choose the best one.

Why does your child need treatment for depression and pot?

People oftentimes believe that they first need to treat addiction and then focus on the part about depression. Of course, some have a completely different vision – they believe that treating depression comes first. But what the two groups have in common is the belief that these two forms of treatment have to be done in two completely different places. That would be far from the truth, as a good rehab center can help you tackle both issues at once.

At Bright Futures Treatment Center, we are oftentimes presented with individuals who have a dual diagnosis. This means that they are using drugs and have a diagnosed mental health disorder. Their first step is to contact us with questions such as ‘does Tricare cover alcohol rehab,’ and a few details about their diagnosis. After that, our teams start working on their treatment plan right away.

The most important thing to remember is that our rehab facility will work on both problems simultaneously. Treating your addiction and letting you return to the real world with the same mental health problems would be counterproductive. In those instances, a relapse is almost inevitable. Instead, we have put together a team of professionals that consists of renowned therapists. They know how to work on treating your addiction while also tackling your depression. We might not know whether depression comes first and addiction second or whether it’s your addiction that rolls around before depression. But what we do know is that there is only one right approach to treat both conditions at once, and you can rest assured that we use it.

What is your role in the process?

If you are a parent who has noticed some concerning signs and symptoms, you are probably already looking for a treatment facility. Your main role is to be your child’s biggest supporter. They need to know that they can count on you every step of the way. After all, you are dealing with teens, so it will be up to you to ask questions like:

• Does Aetna cover drug rehab?
• How long do the programs last?
• Does Cigna cover drug rehab?
• Who is in charge of tailoring a treatment plan?
• Does Aflac cover alcohol rehab?
• Which addictions can be treated?
• Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover alcohol rehab?

Going by the assumption that your child is underage, then not only will you have to ask questions such as ‘does Humana cover alcohol rehab,’ but you’ll also have to pay for it. Rehab facilities might sometimes come with a steep price, but that’s why you should look into insurance. Besides, considering how much it’s going to do for your child, every dollar you spend on treatment will be well worth it.

Apart from taking care of the financial aspect, it’s also going to be essential that you attend family therapy. There’s a lot of research that shows that parental involvement can do wonders for a child’s recovery. If there’s anything that you can do to up your child’s chances of recovery, we have no doubt you will do it.

To sum up

A lot of research has been conducted on both depression and addiction. Because of that, we can now make educated conclusions about the two topics. And what we can conclude about depression and pot is that they are definitely connected. The mix of the two is a bad combo for teens in Palm Beach, as it can magnify their depression. Research even shows that the combination of the two can lead to higher instances of suicide and suicidal thoughts. If you have a child who is exhibiting some signs of marijuana use, it’s important to act in a timely manner. Never underestimate the power of an honest conversation. It might help them see that they need to accept help and spend some time in a rehab facility.