Drugs and alcohol have a greater effect on teens than on adults. The signs of addiction can be difficult to understand, and many teens don’t realize the long-term damage drugs have on their bodies because the short-term side effects fade. Help is available for teens who have questions about drug abuse or think they are suffering from addiction.
Advice for Parents Dealing With Teenage Drug Abuse
Most parents try their best to teach their children to avoid drugs and alcohol. They want them to go on to live healthy and happy lives. However, sometimes teens experiment with drugs anyway. It can happen for a number of reasons out of a parent’s control, but there are things parents can do to help decrease the chances of their children trying drugs.
If you’re a parent who is worried about your child’s drug or alcohol use, you are not powerless. You can learn to recognize behaviors associated with teen drug use, ask for help from health care professionals, learn how to improve communication and discover ways to get them the help they need to recover.
Drugs and alcohol have a greater effect on teens than on adults. The signs of addiction can be difficult to understand, and many teens don’t realize the long-term damage drugs have on their bodies because the short-term side effects fade. Help is available for teens who have questions about drug abuse or think they are suffering from addiction.
Preventing Substance Abuse
A teen’s relationship with his or her parents has a profound impact on their decision making. There is a delicate balance between being a positive role model for your child and being smothering or overprotective.
Eventually, teens have to make choices for themselves, and some of those might be poor. However, parents can take certain actions to reduce the likelihood that their children will experiment with drugs. More than one in five parents believes they have little influence on their child’s decision to take substances. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Warning Signs and Symptoms
Some children experiment with drugs despite their parent’s best efforts. Thousands of adolescents consume alcohol or other drugs every day. While many are capable of trying drugs once and walking away, others succumb to addiction.
As a parent, you need to be aware of the signs or symptoms of drug abuse. If you recognize warning signs, it may be time to stage an intervention and look into treatment options.
PHYSICAL SIGNS
- Bloodshot eyes
- Flushed skin
- Track marks or abscesses
- Weight loss or gain
- Impaired speech or coordination
- Unusual smells on breath or clothing
- Inability to sleep
BEHAVIORAL SIGNS
- Inability to focus
- Problems in school or with authority
- Lying and deceiving
- Mood swings and instability
- Hyperactivity or lethargy
- Loss of inhibitions
- Indifference to family or obligations
Parent’s Role During Treatment
A parent’s first job is to get help for their child. Once the child has started treatment, you should support the recovery process. That might mean driving them to appointments or picking up and keeping track of medications. It also means helping them emotionally during difficult times.
If a doctor recommends family therapy, parents and other family members should participate with an open mind. During other therapy appointments, it may be best to give your teenager privacy with his or her counselor. You should encourage your child to be completely honest with their counselor or therapist at all times.
This content was provided by drugrehab.com. Visit their website for more information on substance abuse and how you can get help.
CounselingWorks is a ministry of ChristianWorks for Children offering Christian counseling in the DFW area on an affordable sliding scale fee.
IF YOUR FAMILY IS EXPERIENCING AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST YOU DURING TIMES OF IMMEDIATE NEED.
- The Right Step
Provides treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism: Detox, Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient, Intervention Services, Transitional Living and Recovery Maintenance
www.rightstep.com
1-87-SOBRIETY - Solutions Outpatient Services
Provides alcohol and drug abuse intensive, evening, outpatient treatment program for adolescents and adults utilizing the Twelve Step model and Family Systems approach.
www.sosdallas.com
214-369-1155
