| Teen drug addictions are on the rise and as parents | | | | forcing an underage child into an outpatient facility but if |
| it's important to take our heads out of the sand and | | | | they are not willing to get help they will most likely just |
| look at the problem with eyes wide open. The reason | | | | put in their time. |
| that this is so crucial is that teen drug addictions are | | | | With that in mind what I have found that does work is |
| not going to disappear. | | | | confronting the problem. Confronting it in a calm |
| As a parent I understand how difficult it can be when | | | | manner, as hard as that might be, and confronting it |
| we even suspect that this young person we love may | | | | consistently. |
| be addicted to drugs. The same is true for alcohol and | | | | Teenage drug addicts are not always willing to give up |
| yet because drinking is still greatly accepted in our | | | | their addiction just because they have been |
| society, sometimes parents breathe a small sigh of | | | | confronted with it. This is basically true of any addict |
| relief when the problem appears to be one of drinking. | | | | suffering from any type of addiction. By adults refusing |
| They believe that this won't be as significant a problem. | | | | to ignore or deny the problem we make it more |
| Hopefully, "just a stage" their teen is going through. | | | | difficult for the teenager to try to deny that they have |
| They will most likely grow out of it as time passes. | | | | a drug addiction. |
| Teen drug addictions cause every parent to flinch, | | | | Keeping the channels of communication open is crucial. |
| partly because we are often at a loss as to how to | | | | Keeping calm in this very frightening situation is also |
| deal with them. Whereas it can often be simple to | | | | important. If your child feels that they can talk with you, |
| detect when a teenager has been drinking, drug abuse | | | | it just may be your chance to guide them towards |
| can be quite tricky to pick up on. | | | | getting help. |
| The warning signs are there however and we adults | | | | Keep your boundaries. By keeping open |
| just need to be open to detecting them. The teenage | | | | communication I do not mean for you to not exercise |
| years are tricky to navigate and out of the norm | | | | self-care. If you feel your teen is using drugs or under |
| behavior could have a few reasons. Whatever the | | | | the influence allowing them to drive or to leave the |
| underlying reason might be, it is important that we note | | | | house is not a good idea. State in a calm manner that |
| it and relate our observations to our teenager. | | | | you believe they are under the influence of drugs and |
| The ones we hear about most often are changes in | | | | because you believe they are under the influence of |
| behavior, dress, friends, and interests. While these | | | | drugs these are the consequences. It is important that |
| could all be simply our teenager changing and maturing, | | | | your teenager understand that there are |
| they could also be signs that something is amiss. Also | | | | consequences for their behavior. If you can remain |
| changes in patterns of sleeping and eating. If these | | | | calm at these times it will be better for you both. |
| patterns start deviating from what has been normal it | | | | Always let your teenage child know that you are there |
| would definitely warrant a trip to the doctor. | | | | to listen. You do not condone what they are involved in |
| A close friend's son suddenly stopped playing sports, | | | | but you are willing to have an open discussion |
| which he had been involved in for years, and lost over | | | | regarding it. |
| twenty pounds. The underlying cause was an addiction | | | | In the case of the particular friend I mentioned this type |
| to prescription pain killers that had grown into an | | | | of communicating and boundary setting with her |
| addiction to heroin. The signs were there even though | | | | teenager finally led to him being willing to seek |
| she found it difficult to believe that this could be | | | | treatment. Other teenagers I spoke with also |
| happening to her child. | | | | confirmed it is a successful strategy. Persistence |
| In talking to various teenagers about teen drug | | | | when working with teen drug addictions is extremely |
| addictions and what worked for them in quitting, I | | | | important. |
| received some insightful information. Most of what I | | | | Just as important as getting help for your teenager if |
| heard from the teens was confirmed by the drug and | | | | you believe they are addicted, is the necessity to get |
| alcohol rehabilitation centers I spoke with. What follows | | | | help for yourself. There are programs such as |
| is some of the advice I received from both "camps" so | | | | Al-Anon and Nar-Anon that have helped many get |
| to speak. | | | | support while dealing with an addicted family member. |
| In order for rehabilitation to take place the addict has to | | | | If you feel that isn't right for you, a priest, pastor, or |
| be willing. Though it may seem as though we can just | | | | counselor may give you the help and support you |
| force them to go to a treatment facility, the teenager | | | | need during this time. |
| has to be willing to stay in order for a drug rehab | | | | Teen drug addictions are painful to both the parent and |
| facility to keep them. This is true from both the | | | | the teenager. Getting help for both the adult and the |
| perspective of the facility and the perspective of the | | | | child can go along way in resolving this deadly problem. |
| addicted teen. You may have greater success in | | | | |