Addiction and Young Adulthood

Young adulthood – the period between the ages of 18 and 25 – is a time of great change. During these years, people move out of their parents’ homes and so experience a new level of independence for the first time. For many, these are the college years, but others will join the military or workforce or start their own families. No matter the path, this time of transition can be very stressful. Spokane Falls Recovery is here to help provide the substance abuse treatment programs you or your teen may need.

The Prevalence of Substance Use Among Young Adults

Many young adults will manage new-found challenges in healthy ways, but many will also turn to substance use as a coping mechanism. We know that the brain – especially the frontal lobe, which controls processing and decision-making – is not fully developed until age 25. This can contribute to poor judgment surrounding substance use. It can also make it a more dangerous time to use substances as they can have dramatic and adverse effects on the developing brain. These issues can be particularly damaging in the presence of other factors that are commonly experienced at this time in a person’s life, including:

Mental health issues
Social pressure
New living situations
Identity exploration

Substance use can also risk becoming substance abuse when there is a genetic predisposition to addiction.

At Spokane Falls Recovery Center, we understand the challenges of young adulthood, specifically as they regard addiction issues. Our addiction treatment center offers young people the opportunity to receive individualized, evidence-based treatment while continuing to fulfill their daily responsibilities like attending work or school. Reach out to us online today or call us at 844.962.2775 to learn more about how our co-occurring disorder programs can help you or your loved one.

Alcohol Abuse and Young Adults

Studies show that while substance abuse trends vary from year to year, alcohol abuse consistently remains a persistent problem among young adults. It is not only that this age group is consuming alcohol at a higher rate than other age groups; how they are drinking can put them at higher risk for alcohol-related health issues.

For instance, young adults are more likely to binge drink or otherwise drink heavily. “Binge drinking” refers to excessive alcohol consumption in a short period of time. Heavy drinking is a pattern of binge drinking that occurs regularly. An unfortunate immediate result of binge drinking is death from alcohol poisoning, as has been frequently reported on many college campuses. Binge drinking and heavy drinking can contribute to immediate and long-term health issues, violence, legal issues, and alcohol addiction.

Most who experience binge or heavy drinking will recognize the negative effects and not continue these patterns for long periods. For some, though, treatment will be necessary. Experiencing any or all of the following can indicate the need for treatment:

Regularly drinking more than planned
Not being able to cut down or stop drinking
Frequent blackouts or hangovers
Health issues directly related to drinking
Initiating or participating in risk-taking behaviors while intoxicated

If you are questioning whether you or a young adult you know needs treatment for alcohol abuse, call 844.962.2775 to speak to a member of the Spokane Falls Recovery Center team today.

Drug Addiction in Young Adults

While alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are the most commonly used drugs among young adults, reports indicated that those aged 18 to 25 are also highly likely to misuse prescription drugs like Xanax, Adderall, and opioids. Additionally, the use of cocaine and hallucinogens is high within this age group. With the use of these more high-risk drugs comes a greater chance of addiction and adverse health outcomes.

Because their brains are still developing, young adults with addiction are at higher risk of developing long-term cognitive, social, and emotional disorders if they do not receive treatment.

While addiction is a pervasive problem, it is treatable, especially with the help of addiction specialists like the ones at Spokane Falls Recovery Center.

Reach Out to Spokane Falls Recovery Center Today

At Spokane Falls Recovery Center, we understand that substance abuse and addiction in young adults present unique circumstances to this age group. Our highly-trained clinicians will perform an individual assessment to learn your specific needs and develop a treatment plan for your successful long-term recovery.