ADDICTION MEDICINE · MENTAL HEALTH · PEDIATRICS
ADDICTION MEDICINE · MENTAL HEALTH · PEDIATRICS
An evaluation helps clarify what a young person is using, the level of risk, contributing medical or mental-health concerns, and what support may be appropriate.
Families may seek guidance about alcohol, cannabis, nicotine or vaping, prescription medications, opioids, stimulants, kratom, or other substance-use concerns.
Changes in behavior, school performance, relationships, sleep, health, secrecy, or risk-taking may be reasons to request an evaluation.
Adolescent privacy is important, with limits based on age, applicable law, immediate safety, and the clinical situation. Expectations are explained at the beginning of care.
Some young people need specialty addiction treatment, psychiatric care, detoxification, residential care, or other services beyond an office setting. Referral is recommended when that is the safer or more appropriate level of care.
No. Parents can seek professional guidance when they notice concerning changes, even when a teenager is uncertain or resistant.
Patterns such as increasing use, loss of control, withdrawal, declining school performance, changes in relationships, risky behavior, secrecy, health problems, or continued use despite consequences may warrant evaluation.
The goal of a medical evaluation is to understand risk and support health, not to punish a young person for disclosing concerns.
Yes. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, sleep problems, and other concerns may occur alongside substance use and should be considered during evaluation.
