If Your Teen or Young Adult Has a Problem with Drugs

This is a re-post from something that I wrote some time ago. I wanted to publish it again since the topic is very important and highly relevant when it comes to how our society looks like today: illegal drugs are very easy to access, mainly because of the internet. I hope this post can be helpful to you as a parent to a teenager or young adult. 

It may be very painful to find out that your child is addicted to alcohol/drugs. Here are some common questions and answers when it comes to teenagers with substance use disorder. The information has been taken from The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). Read more at: www.drugabuse.gov.  

HOW DO I KNOW?

Maybe he/she starts to act different without any reason, for example:

• Often feels tired/down
• Acts different towards family members (irritated/angry etc.)
• Changes circle of friends
• Doesn’t take care of personal health (hygiene/food intake/physical activities etc.)
• Misses/fails/skips classes
• Loose interest in things that used to be important

If you recognize some of these signs - it might be a good start to find out the reason for the changes as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your child to become addicted!

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

To ask for professional help at a medical center is a good start. It takes a lot of hard work and courage to seek help and to recover from an addiction, and it might result in big changes in your child’s academic and personal life. Remember that it takes time and requires patience. 

WHAT TO DO IF MY CHILD REFUSES TREATMENT?

Don’t use nagging or yelling! Many people suffering from addiction find it frightful to lose their drugs. Explain to your child that the treatment is not dangerous and that the treatment centers will provide all the help she/he needs. Tell your child that you/your family will be at her/his side all the way, whatever happens. Most teenagers only enter treatment if there’s a pressure from their family. To meet a professional may be a big step on the way, since talking to your child alone may stir up a lot of emotions (accusations, yelling, threats or fear may be some emotions that will only worsen the situation). 

WHAT DO I DO IF MY CHILD HAS ALREADY BEEN IN TREATMENT BUT HAS SUFFERED FROM A RELAPSE?

This means that your child has already been provided with many tools that may help. You should view a new treatment as a supplement for the earlier treatment. Your child is now acquainted with the ways in which he/she may recover from addiction; a relapse doesn’t mean a failure! Try and explain this to your child. 

HOW TO FACE MY CHILD BEFORE HE/SHE ENTERS TREATMENT?

Talk! There are many tools that you can use to avoid destructive conversations, many of which you can read about in this blog (see previous or upcoming posts here, or at www.codependencyinfo.blogspot.se). Let your child express her/his emotions, but keep in mind that people suffering from addiction may find it hard to tell the truth (mostly because of shame), and that’s why it’s a good idea for your child to speak to someone unknown (professional). 

I'VE HEARD THAT TEENAGERS OFTEN USE DRUGS TO SELF-MEDICATE IN ORDER TO TREAT DEPRESSION. HOW DO I FACE THIS PROBLEM?

There might be a possibility that your child is suffering from both addiction and depression, which is very common when it comes to addiction in general. Encourage your child to tell his/her health care provider about all his/her problems/feelings. Don’t try and force your child to speak to you if he/she is not willing to do so. There are many effective non-addictive drugs that can help a person with mental health issues. Talk to your child’s health care provider! Ask how they deal with depression and tell them what you know when it comes to your child’s psychological health. 

Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/treatment-research/if-teen-or-young-adult-has-drug-abuse-problem