Addiction

For health professionals

Many teenagers face some form of addiction at some point in their life. Although addiction to drugs is most commonly reported – alcohol and nicotine in particular – there are a number of other substances and activities that create the same sense of dependency and resistance to withdrawal.

These include gaming, gambling, sex, pornography, food, exercise, the Internet and other technology such as mobile phones, work and compulsive buying.

Four facts about addiction

  • Lack of control
  • Dependence
  • Tolerance
  • Withdrawal

Four steps to bringing about change

Support the child or young person through the following steps:

HELP THEM TO ACCEPT IT

  • Help them to acknowledge that they are overusing and over-reliant on the substance or activity and that you would like to help them change
  • This means telling you about it or seeking help
  • Set up an easy environment to facilitate open discussion

  • Help them to give up the drug or activity they are addicted to
  • Help them understand that to learn control they have to first give up completely
  • Local drugs and alcohol team for children and young people
  • CAMHS
  • talktofrank.com – 0300 123 6600 – Drugs
  • quit.org.uk – 0800 00 22 00 – Smoking
  • gamcare.org.uk – 0808 8020 133 – Gambling
  • familylives.org.uk – 0808 800 2222 – Gaming
  • www.ygam.org – Gambling and Gaming
  • al-anonuk.org.uk/alateen – 0207 593 2070 – Alcohol

  • This will include keeping regular follow up appointments
  • Regular physical checks
  • Making sure they complete treatment
  • Being available once they are discharged from treatment back to your care
  • Having a clear recovery plan
  • Working with family members as necessary

Some people may relapse, don’t despair, it’s normal. This is when your patients stop their good habits for a period of time and for whatever reasons go back to old addiction. Try and encourage them to stay strong to avoid relapse, but if they do you could encourage them as outlined below:

  • Encourage them not to give up – changing behaviour isn’t easy, and it may help them to learn from their mistakes
  • Keep them motivated to stay on track – they will gradually feel stronger with continued good progress
  • Encourage them when to seek help and how to access support – not everyone can fight addiction on their own

Further Learning

Visit our Further Advice page for details of other organisations that can help.

Did you find this page helpful?
Yes
No

How to help

Help us support teenage mental health