From 2002 to 2009 only Oxycontin abuse has held a steady trend among adolescent women, when looking at illicit drugs.  The popularity of prescription drug abuse is dangerous for teen women for several reasons.  They are perceived to be low risk, are highly addictive opiates, and can lead to illegal heroin use when these women become adults.

Prescription drugs have the lowest perceived risk among all teens.  Since most teen women tend to seek security for themselves, it stands to reason that they would feel safer using prescription drugs over marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines.  Even Oxycontin, a very strong opiate pain killer, can be considered safe by the most security-conscious teen women.

Opiates are highly addictive, though, so even one use can lead individuals down a quick path to addiction.  As opiate tolerance builds in teen women, they need higher doses to get the desired effect from Oxycontin.  Once dependence sets in the drug is needed to, at the very least, relieve opiate withdrawal symptoms.

As time passes and dependence increases, prescription opiate addicts usually switch to heroin in order to satisfy their habits.  For adolescent women, this is certain to open the door to illegal activities and negative behaviors.  Their friends and acquaintances also change, and they may frequent unsafe locales to obtain illegal drugs.

Opiate addiction must be addressed immediately when problems arise.  Women face more physical, mental and emotional consequences than men from prescription opiate and heroin addiction.  The first stop should be medical detoxification, followed by residential or outpatient drug treatment.  Some women may find comfort in knowing that gender-specific treatment is available that includes childcare.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published a report on alcohol and drug use trends since 2002.  It includes data that supports the information above at this link:
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k8NSDUH/tabs/Sect8peTabs1to43.htm#Tab8.19B

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides drug detox and women only alcohol and drug treatment as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help for drug addiction or alcohol dependence, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.