Understanding Teenage Nicotine Abuse 

About 3% of middle schoolers and 6% of high school students have admitted to using or craving tobacco products. Many teens who begin smoking or vaping do so because they are dealing with life stressors that they don’t know how to overcome. Whether it’s trouble at school, peer pressure to fit in, or a traumatic experience they’re trying to suppress, there are a multitude of reasons behind teen nicotine addiction.

 Overcoming nicotine dependence is a tough task that requires a lot of support. At Ascend, your teen gets the care and compassion they need as well as a targeted treatment plan designed just for them. Learn more about how teen nicotine addiction can destroy an adolescent’s life and how nicotine addiction treatment can help them rebuild it.

Side Effects of Nicotine Addiction

There are many studies that support evidence of physical and mental changes when using nicotine. Unfortunately, these effects are often worse in adolescents — especially when it comes to mental health. Because brain development continues past their teen years and into their mid-twenties, nicotine can actually change a child’s brain cell activity and affect the areas of the brain that are responsible for learning, attention, and memory. Nicotine addiction can cause and worsen:

While some of these effects are temporary, with prolonged use, they can become permanent. Help your child avoid lifelong mental health issues with a nicotine addiction treatment program at Ascend.

Signs & Symptoms

Are you concerned your teen may be using nicotine? Look for these signs and symptoms:

  • Decreased Appetite
  • Weight Loss
  • Staining on Fingers
  • Holes in Clothing
  • Increased Sneezing or Coughing
  • Odd Odors (Vaping Doesn’t Typically Smell Like Nicotine)

If you’re looking for support, Ascend is here to help with a comprehensive teen nicotine addiction treatment program. Reach out to us now to start the admissions process today.