Advice
Firstly it is
important to know that as a parent/guardian
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
…
The concern about teen drug abuse is affecting many parents today.
Youths are particularly vulnerable to the pressure to experiment
with illegal substances and prolonged drug use can have a multitude
of negative effects on young people both psychological and physical.
Illicit drug use starts early and spreads quickly.
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Nearly 1 in 25 teens aged 12 to 13 reports past month use of
an illicit drug |
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Among
16 to 17 year olds, 1 in 5 teens admitted to past drug use
of an illicit drug |
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*Study
conducted by the US Department of Health and Human
Services |
Prevention
To prevent drug use in your home, you will need a competent set of
tools. The most powerful tool at your disposal is information.
- Know what
signs to look for that may indicate drug abuse
- Learn how
to prevent drug abuse
- Acquire
knowledge about the latest in drug testing technology
- Understand
the popular drug trends occurring among young - people today
- Learn how
to intervene should you discover your child is abusing drugs
- Find
information and resources to keep you informed and ready to
battle drug abuse.
The Number #1 reason why teenagers don't
use drugs is their parents. Teens who say their parents would
strongly disapprove of them trying marijuana are much less likely to
use an illicit drug than those who think their parents would not
strongly disapprove˛ .
A necessary part of preventing drug use in the home lies with drug
testing. Sometimes verbalizing a no drug policy isn’t enough. In
fact, opting to perform drug testing on your child or teen can
greatly reduce the likelihood of them trying drugs or succumbing to
peer pressure.
However it is important to let them know your reasons and listen to
their opinions and concerns, as your child may be hurt or upset by
your decision, even if it is made with their best interests in mind.
A necessary part of preventing drug use in the home lies with drug
testing. Sometimes verbalizing a no drug policy isn't enough. In
fact, opting to perform drug testing on your child or teen can
greatly reduce the likelihood of their trying drugs or succumbing to
peer pressure. Whether or not to establish drug testing in the home
is an important decision and there are many factors to consider.
Your child may be hurt or upset by your decision, even if it is made
with their best interests in mind. It is important to let them know
your reasons and listen to their opinions and concerns.
Is it right to test your child?
No one likes to think that their teen is using drugs. But knowing
the truth and acting on it is of more help than living in denial of
the situation.
Performing drug tests on your teen can also
potentially save them from jail time or becoming addicted to illegal
substances. You may feel as though you're invading their privacy,
but using a drug testing kit on your teen could save them from a
life of addiction.
Utilizing drug testing in the home can put a stop
to drug use before it starts. A good drug testing policy that
incorporates random and periodic drug testing can help to ensure
your teenager is drug-free. And although it may seem difficult to
start, placing your child on the road to a life without drugs early
on helps to guarantee that they will have a brighter future and a
happy, healthy life. The time, effort, and money are worth it when
weighed against your child's future.
Taking Action
Should you discover your teen is using drugs, there are many ways to
go about putting a stop to it. Intervening now is the best way to
end your child's drug use and get them the help they need. While it
is certainly a difficult situation to navigate, stepping in and
helping your child beat their drug problem is the first step in the
right direction.
Intervention
Staging an intervention is the first step to helping your
child or loved one combat a drug problem or addiction. It doesn't
have to be formal or a huge gathering of the family. Rather, an
intervention may be most effective when only close relatives and
friends attend. It can be as simple as calmly stating you do not
want him to use drugs and explain why this is the case. Some
important things to keep in mind include:
- Be
Open Minded: While
you certainly have every right to be upset about your child
using drugs, don't jump to conclusions. Remaining calm and
collected, yet still expressing your feelings about the matter
helps your teen see that you are serious and truly wish to help.
-
Show Compassion:
This is your child we're talking about here. You love them more
than life itself—let them know it! Everyone makes mistakes, and
while abusing drugs is certainly serious, don't compromise your
love for your child over it. Try to understand his side. Don't
condone drug use, but don't disown him for it, either.
-
Avoid Angry Confrontation:
Screaming through the house to get
your point across never helped anyone. Rather than being
confrontational and accusing your child of all sorts of unsavory
behavior, step back for a moment, take a deep breath and stay
calm. You're the adult here.
-
Listen: After
confronting your teen about her drug abuse, take the time to
listen. Most of the time, there are deep-seated psychological
issues at the heart of drug abuse. Hear what your child has to
say and talk him through this difficult moment.
Seeking Outside
Help
If after repeated attempts to discuss drug abuse with your
son or daughter fails, bringing in outside help may be most
beneficial. Denial is often a major problem for people with
substance abuse problems, whether teens or adults. If they deny
using drugs or alcohol, you may want to have them evaluated by a
healthcare professional. Remember to show concern for your child's
condition—don't make this doctor's visit seem like a punishment.
After the evaluation, it may be discovered that
she is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Now is the time to act. There
are many treatment facilities all over the country and it should be
fairly easy to locate one that suits your child's current needs.
Seek out other parents that have been through the
same situation. It may seem like the end of the world to find that
your child is using drugs, but getting them on the first steps
toward recovery can be the best gift in the world. |
