Guide for Parents of Addicted Teens


Adolescence and the teenage years are marked by major physical, emotional and behavioral changes. As the body and brain are adapting to adulthood, it’s likely that your teen may pick up some habits along the way that aren’t beneficial. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol is often a part of that journey.

As a parent, chances are you know your child better than anyone. You may even see some of your bad habits reflected in them. Various physical, psychological and behavioral signs will be present that indicate your child might be using drugs or alcohol, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Physical signs of drug abuse:

  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Frequent nosebleeds (indicative of snorting drugs such as cocaine or meth)
  • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
  • Sudden weight gain or loss

Behavioral signs of drug abuse:

  • Declining grades, skipping class or trouble at school
  • Poor attendance and performance at work
  • Loss of interest in extra-curricular activities
  • Complaints from teachers or supervisors
  • Borrowing or stealing money
Many of these signs are typical behaviors that adolescents adopt as they get older regardless of drug use. That’s what makes identifying drug use among teens tricky. If you feel like your teen is exhibiting some of the more severe signs of drug use listed above, it might be time to confront them in a loving way about your suspicions. It can be confusing and nerve-wracking to navigate these waters with your child, especially if he or she, like many teenagers, is reluctant to share information or connect with you. However, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids has released some guidelines for parents on holding an intervention for of their children.

Before you talk to your teen, consider this word of warning: Figure out whether they’re currently under the influence of drugs first. In the days and weeks leading up to your conversation, do some investigating. You may already have an idea of what drugs your child is using based on the signs listed above. Keep track of the observations you make in a journal or on your phone in a secret memo file. Include dates, times and other details when possible.

Location: Canada

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Anxiety Clinic

Image
  Wisdom from an Indigenous Elder. Depression, Anxiety, Pandemics, And A Cold Dark Winter. There are very few of us who will not be happy to see the tail end of 2020. There is hope on the horizon with vaccines now being distributed, but the return to the world as we knew it is still the better part of the year away. And between us return stand a cold dark winter. The best advice I have ever received about growing up is to be humble enough to acknowledge what you don’t know, and smart enough to surround yourself with people wiser than yourself. Indigenous people of Canada have always valued the wisdom of Elder’s. I am not indigenous and I am blessed to be surrounded with many indigenous folks whose wisdom I greatly admire. One such person is Dr. Nel Wieman one of the first indigenous psychiatrists in Canada. Dr. Weidman is the Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia. Recently Dr. Wieman released an article jam-packed with helpful in
Read more

Best Psychotherapy

Image
  Wisdom from an Indigenous Elder. Depression, Anxiety, Pandemics, And A Cold Dark Winter. There are very few of us who will not be happy to see the tail end of 2020. There is hope on the horizon with vaccines now being distributed, but the return to the world as we knew it is still the better part of the year away. And between us return stand a cold dark winter. The best advice I have ever received about growing up is to be humble enough to acknowledge what you don’t know, and smart enough to surround yourself with people wiser than yourself. Indigenous people of Canada have always valued the wisdom of Elder’s. I am not indigenous and I am blessed to be surrounded with many indigenous folks whose wisdom I greatly admire. One such person is Dr. Nel Wieman one of the first indigenous psychiatrists in Canada. Dr. Weidman is the Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia. Recently Dr. Wieman released an article jam-packed with helpful in
Read more