According to a recent study carried out by Worcestershire City Council’s Drug and Alcohol Strategy, the population across Worcestershire is due to rise between now and 2030.
They predict that with this, issues surrounding drug and alcohol addiction across the area will also rise.
This is particularly worrying for residents across the Worcestershire district, and even more worrying for young people who are already suffering from a range of societal issues such as increased youth crime, poverty, unemployment and increasing drug and alcohol issues.
Recent years have brought increased awareness of how drug and alcohol use affects children and teenagers across the UK and the rest of the world. This is particularly true for families and young people across Redditch and the wider area.
In this article, we will explore why this issue matters locally, what the data shows nationally and regionally and how young people and families can find help and support in Redditch and beyond.
We will discuss the ins and outs of alcohol detox and alcohol rehab in the West Midlands and the different pathways to help and support.
The Challenge Facing Young People in Redditch
Across Redditch and the rest of the UK, thousands of young people are known to be in contact with drug and alcohol services. In fact, between April 2022 and March 2023, more than 12,000 young people asked for help or treatment for substance use.
Nearly half of these young people reported problems with alcohol alongside other drugs, such as cannabis which remained the most frequently abused substance when it comes to young people across the UK.
Whilst drug abuse is on the rise, alcohol remains a significant issue among young people across Redditch and the wider area.
These statistics highlight the extent of the problem facing people up and down the country, including young people in Redditch, and the wider Worcestershire and West Midlands area.
Local public health studies also show that hospital admissions for alcohol related issues in Redditch and the wider community were actually higher than the national average, highlighting how alcohol continues to impact the health of communities in the area.
Is Redditch Different from Elsewhere?
To a degree, the challenges facing young people in Redditch reflect wider national issues. This includes pressures on mental health, increasingly easy access to alcohol, peer pressure influence and increasingly complex patterns of drug use.
Nevertheless, community groups up and down the Redditch area are feeling the social and emotional impact of substance use among young people, including increased antisocial behaviour, increased school absence and increased pressure on social services.
Why Do Young People Turn to Drug and Alcohol Abuse?
If society is going to tackle drug and alcohol addiction, then it is important that we understand the root causes of addiction and why young people tend to turn to drugs and alcohol in order to deal with problems in their lives. Below are just some of the reasons why young people turn to substances in the first place.
1. Peer Pressure
For teenagers up and down the UK, the desire to fit in can be huge. Young people might turn to drugs or alcohol during a party in order to attempt to fit in at social events. Likewise, they might turn to vaping in order to not be the only one being left out when everyone goes outside to vape, or even smoke.
Often, parents and carers will be the first to notice changes in behaviour being led by peer pressure. Young people often start to struggle to sleep, their performance at school often gets worse or they might change friendship groups. In fact, a change in behaviour and friendship groups can be one of the earliest signs that a young person might be struggling with substance use.
2. Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms
It’s also incredibly important to understand and to recognise that substance use doesn’t happen in isolation. In fact, many young people turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with different mental health issues including stress, anxiety, depression or even trauma. In fact, a national study suggests that a significant percentage of young people in treatment for drug or alcohol addiction also suffer from a mental health issue which is often known as a dual diagnosis.
The undeniable link between addiction and mental health issues often means that prevention and support has to focus on the root causes of addiction, which is often some form of trauma, stress, depression or anxiety.
3. Social and Economic Factors
There are also a number of social and economic factors that can lead to addiction issues. These factors include things such as deprivation, poverty, unemployment, and limited things or activities for young people to do in the local area. These things can contribute to the risk of substance misuse.
In towns in the UK such as Redditch, where community organisations are working hard to keep young people engaged, these efforts can’t go far enough and have a huge impact on whether or not young people are able to avoid becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol.
The Importance of Early Prevention When it Comes to Drug and Alcohol Addiction
When it comes to drug and alcohol addiction in Redditch and beyond, it is incredibly important to get help early on. Addiction compounds, meaning that addiction often gets worse the longer it goes untreated. The longer it goes untreated, the harder it is to treat and the longer the recovery time will be. Likewise, the more severe the addiction then the higher the chance of a future relapse will be.
This is why if you recognise that someone is struggling with an addiction issue, or if you recognise some of the signs and symptoms yourself then it is incredibly important to get help as soon as possible.
1. Early Conversations Make a Difference
Parents, carers and even schools play a huge role when it comes to addiction prevention. Talking openly about drugs and alcohol without the fear of judgement can help young people understand the risks associated with drugs and alcohol before young people start to experiment. These conversations could start to address the myths that surround drug and alcohol addiction, such as the fact that ‘everyone is doing it’ or that ‘recovery is easy.’
2. Schools as Hubs for Education and Support
Schools across Redditch also play a key role when it comes to drug and alcohol education. There are now many prevention programmes rolled out in schools that help young people think more critically about the marketing that surrounds drugs, alcohol and even vaping as well as the peer pressure that impacts young people. More and more schools are also encouraging young people to think more about their own mental wellbeing and physical health in general.
Local Support and Treatment Options
For those young people whose substance is getting out of control, there are local services available that can help which offer a range of support including counselling, therapy sessions, community support groups and even inpatient or outpatient rehab treatment.
For anyone seeking help for a drug and alcohol addiction, there is local support available from Cranstoun’s Redditch hub in Worcestershire, which offers a range of drug and alcohol support services including harm reduction support, peer mentoring and support for families and loved ones. Importantly, they also provide links to detox and rehab support.
Cranstoun’s Here4YOUth service provides a space where young people can explore their relationship with addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol in a controlled, safe, non-judgemental setting.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you suspect that either yourself or even someone you know or love is abusing drugs or alcohol, then it is never too soon to seek professional help. When it comes to young people, there are a number of signs that a young person may need professional support.
Some of these are listed below for you:
Increasing use of drugs or alcohol
Being absent from school or work
Neglecting hobbies
Poor personal care and hygiene
Worsening relationships with family or friends
Frequent mood swings
Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or paranoia
Risky behaviours such as getting into trouble often or putting themselves in unsafe situations
A lack of sleep
Changes to weight
If you recognise some of the above signs and symptoms then you should contact your local GP, your school’s health service or local drug and alcohol services.
What Happens After Drug and Alcohol Treatment?
Recovery doesn’t stop when someone leaves a detox setting or completes a rehab programme. For many people suffering from an addiction and especially young people, ongoing aftercare and support is vital to ensuring that they do not relapse in the future.
Once your loved one leaves drug and alcohol treatment, you need to acknowledge that the hard work is not over. If your young child has undergone treatment, then you should inform their school of what has happened and what they can do to support your child.
For many young people recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can provide a sense of belonging and encouragement. AA meetings take place regularly in and around Redditch, and you can find in-person groups by searching the national directory.
Conclusion
The journey towards recovering from drug and alcohol addiction is never an easy one, and it can be particularly difficult when the person recovering is a young person. Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction requires a whole community effort where support is readily available and where young people are able to get the help that they need.
If you are a parent, carer or young person reading this and are struggling to get the help that you need, then speak to your local GP for initial help and support or by calling a local drug and alcohol rehab centre.
By Jack Harris
