Most parents have these preconceived notions as to how their children will turn out. They picture images of sweet faced, well-behaved children slowly maturing into responsible adults. It’s jarring when that fantasy is replaced by a moody and withdrawn teenager, desperate for help.
Is My Child on Drugs?
No parent wants to admit that their child, whom they love more than anything, is addicted to drugs. It’s hard not to blame yourself for the choices your child made, and so
it can be difficult to move past the denial stage. It’s up to the parents, though, who see their addicted teenager as a real person in pain, to guide their child in getting the help he so clearly needs.
Red Flags
When a parent senses red flags flapping, it’s important to get down to the bottom of it quickly; as time plays an important role in your child’s recovery. Substance use can quickly snowball into an addiction if not stopped in its path. Signs of drug use can be noticed in the teen’s behavior, physical appearance, and personality.
- Behavioral Signs
- Suddenly secretive about his comings and goings
- Avoiding eye contact
- Grades dropping
- Cash flow problems
- Shifting relationships with family & friends
What Are You Doing?
Teenagers, more than other age children, have a strong need to fit in with their peers. And, if that requires them to take a puff of a friend’s cigarette, so be it. As old and grown-up as they may feel, many teens are not mature enough to understand the consequences of their actions. Teaching them the harmful effects of their behavior, and how to resist peer pressure, is the parents’ department.
- Physical Signs
- Unusually tired or lethargic
- Bruises on skin
- Cares less about hygiene
- Unusual smells on breath or clothes
- Slurred speech
Seeing Eye to Eye
Pay attention to their eyes, which will often be red and heavy-lidded from drugs. Alcohol and marijuana, in particular, cause the blood vessels in the eyes to expand, giving the bloodshot appearance. Intoxication can also cause blurry vision, which makes driving a real danger for both the driver and for the other vehicles sharing the road.
- Psychological Signs
- Sudden change in personality
- Depression or anxiety
- Hyperactive or unusually elated
- Unable to focus
- Less motivated
Just Being a Teenager?
What to do when those happy, talkative children morph into sullen and uncommunicative teenagers? In some cases, it’s just ordinary teenage blues; we’re all familiar with those. In other cases, however, it’s not just teenage moodiness, it’s something much deeper than that. And this might not be so simple to write off as, “it’s just a phase!”.
As a parent, you can never intervene too soon. The adolescent “phase” can quickly spiral into a substance use addiction if the problem is ignored. If your teenager seems to have lost interest in activities he once loved, or he’s constantly acting depressed, angry, or aggressive, these can be signs of a drug or alcohol addiction. Knowing these symptoms of drug use can help you realize when you should reach out to appropriate treatment centers for your teen.
Search & Rescue
Most parents are well aware of the importance of giving teens their personal space. (And if they haven’t naturally, their teens probably let them know:) If a teen displays some aforementioned signs of drug use, and a parent is concerned, it’s important to get to the bottom of it. Now, how to conduct a Sherlock Holmes investigation without infringing on your child’s space? When it’s about your child’s health or safety, however, privacy takes the backseat.
Parents should definitely try taking the straightforward route first. Direct questions like, “Have you been drinking?” is a lot more comfortable than searching under the bed without the child’s knowledge. Answers might not always be so forthcoming, and so parents have to try other ways of garnering information on their child’s wellbeing. Sharing their concerns, and explaining their reasons for the search, can prevent difficult scenarios.
Common places to conceal alcohol, drugs, and other paraphernalia:
- Small boxes or cases- jewelry boxes, pencil cases
- Inside over-the-counter medicine containers
- Inside mock soda cans or empty candy bags
- In between or inside books
The Big Five
The five main factors that contribute to a high risk of teenage addiction are summarized in the acronym FACTS:
- Family history- research show that genetics play a big role in substance addiction
- Age of first-time use- the younger to start, the more likely to develop an addiction
- Craving-young teenage minds can develop cravings to substances they use
- Tolerance- when used early on, teenagers can develop a high tolerance to drugs
- Surroundings-exposure to drugs & alcohol when young, “normalizes” the use of them
“Values are caught, not taught”
Ethical values and behaviors are best learned from the people who practice them, rather than through lectures. If a teen witnesses his parents using alcohol or substances on a regular basis, they’ll naturally be drawn to them as well. Because alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco are legal for adults, teens can assume they are safe for them to use, although this is not the case. “Don’t try this at home,” won’t work for teens at home.
Let’s Discuss
The best prevention is to talk with your teens. Spending time with them, and having open and honest relationships, will create a safe environment for them; lessening the need for drugs to solve their troubles. Avoid scare tactics- that’s for (pesky) older brothers. Listen to your teens’ opinions and questions about various substances. Explain to them how alcohol and drugs can affect the things they care about; relationships, grades, and health.
Get Help
Substance use is, unfortunately, becoming more rampant, with age 13 being the average age for first-time drug use. Virtually every community is equipped to deal with the issue at hand and offer different options of help. There is no treatment that is a one-size-fits-all; your child needs the right treatment for his particular case. Rehabilitation centers, like Avenues Recovery, offer various treatment plans to suit individual needs, and will partner with you in getting the right help for your teen.