Drug Abuse

Teen drug addictions are on the rise and as parents it’s important to take our heads out of the sand and look at the problem with eyes wide open. The reason that this is so crucial is that teen drug addictions are not going to disappear.

As a parent I understand how difficult it can be when we even suspect that this young person we love may be addicted to drugs. The same is true for alcohol and yet because drinking is still greatly accepted in our society, sometimes parents breathe a small sigh of relief when the problem appears to be one of drinking. They believe that this won’t be as significant a problem. Hopefully, “just a stage” their teen is going through. They will most likely grow out of it as time passes.

Teen drug addictions cause every parent to flinch, partly because we are often at a loss as to how to deal with them. Whereas it can often be simple to detect when a teenager has been drinking, drug abuse can be quite tricky to pick up on.

The warning signs are there however and we adults just need to be open to detecting them. The teenage years are tricky to navigate and out of the norm behavior could have a few reasons. Whatever the underlying reason might be, it is important that we note it and relate our observations to our teenager.

The ones we hear about most often are changes in behavior, dress, friends, and interests. While these could all be simply our teenager changing and maturing, they could also be signs that something is amiss. Also changes in patterns of sleeping and eating. If these patterns start deviating from what has been normal it would definitely warrant a trip to the doctor.

A close friend’s son suddenly stopped playing sports, which he had been involved in for years, and lost over twenty pounds. The underlying cause was an addiction to prescription pain killers that had grown into an addiction to heroin. The signs were there even though she found it difficult to believe that this could be happening to her child.

In talking to various teenagers about teen drug addictions and what worked for them in quitting, I received some insightful information. Most of what I heard from the teens was confirmed by the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers I spoke with. What follows is some of the advice I received from both “camps” so to speak.

In order for rehabilitation to take place the addict has to be willing. Though it may seem as though we can just force them to go to a treatment facility, the teenager has to be willing to stay in order for a drug rehab facility to keep them. This is true from both the perspective of the facility and the perspective of the addicted teen. You may have greater success in forcing an underage child into an outpatient facility but if they are not willing to get help they will most likely just put in their time.

With that in mind what I have found that does work is confronting the problem. Confronting it in a calm manner, as hard as that might be, and confronting it consistently. Teenage drug addicts are not always willing to give up their addiction just because they have been confronted with it. This is basically true of any addict suffering from any type of addiction. By adults refusing to ignore or deny the problem we make it more difficult for the teenager to try to deny that they have a drug addiction.

Keeping the channels of communication open is crucial. Keeping calm in this very frightening situation is also important. If your child feels that they can talk with you, it just may be your chance to guide them towards getting help.

Keep your boundaries. By keeping open communication I do not mean for you to not exercise self-care. If you feel your teen is using drugs or under the influence allowing them to drive or to leave the house is not a good idea. State in a calm manner that you believe they are under the influence of drugs and because you believe they are under the influence of drugs these are the consequences. It is important that your teenager understand that there are consequences for their behavior. If you can remain calm at these times it will be better for you both.

Always let your teenage child know that you are there to listen. You do not condone what they are involved in but you are willing to have an open discussion regarding it. In the case of the particular friend I mentioned this type of communicating and boundary setting with her teenager finally led to him being willing to seek treatment. Other teenagers I spoke with also confirmed it is a successful strategy. Persistence when working with teen drug addictions is extremely important.

Just as important as getting help for your teenager if you believe they are addicted, is the necessity to get help for yourself. There are programs such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon that have helped many get support while dealing with an addicted family member. If you feel that isn’t right for you, a priest, pastor, or counselor may give you the help and support you need during this time.

Teen drug addictions are painful to both the parent and the teenager. Getting help for both the adult and the child can go along way in resolving this deadly problem.

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