Adolescent Substance Abuse Programme

Experimentation is one thing; escalation is another. Look for changes in frequency (weekend use turning into daily use), loss of control (failed promises to stop), using to manage feelings or sleep, sudden drop in school performance or attendance, secrecy and lying, evidence of tolerance or withdrawal, polysubstance use, and new friends who use. Early onset (using before mid‑teens), a family history of substance use, untreated trauma or mood disorders, and living in areas with ready access to substances (some townships and informal settlements in and around Johannesburg report high availability of nyaope and cheap alcohol) raise the risk of rapid escalation. If you notice worsening behaviour, declining hygiene, unexplained money problems, or risk-taking (stealing, unsafe sex, risky driving), arrange a clinical assessment immediately — these are not normal teen phases anymore and early clinical input changes the clinical plan and likely outcomes.

Force rarely fixes this; structured persuasion and clinical strategy do. Start with a low‑stakes assessment booked by you — a general medical check that includes substance screening and mental‑health evaluation often lowers resistance. Use staged engagement: motivational interviewing, brief interventions and harm‑reduction plans work better than ultimatums. Involve school counsellors or a trusted coach who can broker an assessment. Contingency tactics (clear, enforced household rules tied to privileges) are effective when consistent. For adolescents, family therapy that focuses on behaviour and boundaries — not lectures — shifts dynamics. If the teen is actively dangerous, self‑harming, or psychotic, you can and should escalate to emergency medical or social services; clinicians and social workers in Johannesburg can advise on safeguarding while minimising punitive routes that push them into criminal circles.

Adolescents are not small adults — their brains, social networks, schooling and legal status are different. Evidence‑based adolescent interventions include family‑based therapies (which change family interaction patterns), cognitive‑behavioural therapy adapted for teens, motivational enhancement, and contingency management. Brief, school‑linked interventions and outpatient programs that include parental work tend to be most practical for early-stage use. Adult rehab often assumes long histories, independent living and different relapse triggers; it rarely addresses schooling, parental authority, or peer group re‑integration. In Johannesburg seek adolescent-specific programmes that understand local substances (cannabis, alcohol, and in some communities, nyaope) and social stressors. Ask providers whether they include family sessions, schooling support, trauma screening, and practical aftercare — those elements matter more than flashy facilities.

Delaying care lets a pattern harden and risks both medical and social collapse. Medically, intoxication can cause acute psychosis, violent behaviour, overdose and, with injecting drugs, infections and HIV risk. Alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence can produce life‑threatening withdrawal (seizures, delirium); stimulant use can precipitate severe agitation and psychosis. Socially, untreated use accelerates school failure, criminal involvement, association with exploitative networks (gangs), and long‑term cognitive and motivational decline. In Johannesburg these social harms are compounded where housing, unemployment and access to care are constrained. If you see withdrawal symptoms, suicidal thinking, violent behaviour, loss of consciousness, or suspected overdose, go to emergency care now. For non‑emergent but escalating patterns, an early outpatient assessment and family‑focused plan is the right next move.

Prioritise medical and psychosocial safety over punishment. Start by informing the school counsellor and asking for a confidential learner‑support plan rather than suspension; many schools will work with clinicians to keep the teen engaged academically while treatment begins. If police are involved, get legal advice quickly — criminal records can entrench problems; clinicians can sometimes provide medical letters that steer response toward care rather than prosecution. Social workers are allies when protection or family support is needed; involve them early if there’s abuse, neglect or risk of exploitation. Keep communication targeted: only share necessary information, document medical assessments, and ask clinicians to liaise with schools or social services on your behalf. The clinical route (assessment, treatment plan, school reintegration plan) reduces the chance that handling the problem through the criminal system will push your child deeper into harm.