With teen drug use on the rise, many families are looking for answers on how to deal with and treat a teens drug addiction. When preventing drug use, it’s important to know a few facts:
*Alcohol is the most common drug used by teens.
*Teens who come from families where drug use is present are more likely to use drugs.
*Teenage drug use drastically affects growth and development.
*Teens who are friends with drug users are more likely to use drugs.
It’s important to keep teens safe from drugs, as drug use can negatively affect their education, their emotional well being, their health and also because the younger a person is when they begin using drugs, the higher their tendency toward addiction. Keeping teens safe now lays the groundwork for a healthy, drug-free life.
So, how can drug use be prevented? It’s important to remain an active role model in your teenage son or daughter’s life – teens who feel they have family support are not as likely to become involved in teen drug use. It’s also crucial to openly discuss the risks of the teens drugs used. Many parents assume that their kids know that drug use is bad and that their kids know they would disapprove of it – don’t assume! Talk with your teen about drugs. Make it very clear that you are against teen drug use. Discuss why drugs are so harmful as well as how to say no when they are offered drugs.
If you feel that your child may already be involved in teen drug use, you need to take action right away. It is important to understand teens and drugs. Some signs and symptoms of teen drug addiction include:
*Teens coming home and going straight to their bedroom.
*Declining grades.
*Poor hygiene and lack of proper grooming.
*Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
*Change in social life – new friends, new clothes and a new attitude.
*Strange mood patterns.
*Strange sleeping habits.
If you find that your teen is in fact using drugs, you need to take action right away. Talk with your teen about getting them the help they need. Many teens may become angry, but you need to be authoritative and take control of the situation whether they are willing to seek help or not. Teen drug use is not something to be taken lightly and as a parent, getting them the teen drug addiction help they need is the most loving, responsible thing you can do.
