TEENAGE DRUG ADDICTION
Drugs are not picky. They do not dominate in anyone race, gender, ethnicity or soc ial standing.
Drugs can affect any family and with endless resources out there, it may seem next to impossible to know where to start the prevention process. That is where we co me in. Drugs are a h orror to which many f amilies h ave thought the m selves untouc h able. Even if you've raised your kids well,
Illicit substances and the pressure to experiment with them can still influence your child's life. Experimentation with drug use is a slippery slope, as it often leads to more frequent use and eventual addiction.
Key Facts:
- 25% of high school seniors admitted using an illicit drug in the past month
- A recent survey reported that nearly 16 million Americans had used illicit drugs in the previous month
- The most commonly used drugs of abuse are marijuana and cocaine
- In the first half of 2002 there were over 300,000 visits to emergency rooms related to use of illegal drugs or non-medical use of a legal drug
- In 2000 Americans spent $36 billion on cocaine, $11 billion on marijuana and $10 billion on heroin
- In 1992 the overall cost of drug abuse in the U.S. was $102 billion, 8 years later it was $162 billion
- Federal spending on drug control will exceed $11 billion in 2003
- Over 10% of high school seniors report using the drug ecstasy at least once
- In 2000 there were over 900,000 new cocaine users in the U.S.
- An estimated 270 metric tons of cocaine entered the U.S. in 2001
For preventing drug use in the home, you will need a competent set of tools. The most powerful tool at your d isposal is in formation.To help your teen stay away from drugs,you will need to:
- Know w h at signs to look for that may in dicate drug abuse
- Learn how to prevent drug abuse in your home
- 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 much more infor m at i on and reso u rces to keep you informed and ready to battle drug abuse
Never assume that your child cannot succumb to drug abuse. Regardless of race, gender or social class, drugs can affect your teen's life. In order to set up your plan of action,y ou must learn and recognize the signs of abuse.
Is It Right To Test My Own 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.
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- Choosing a Drug Testing Method: Which one is right for me?
- Parents Guide to Teen Drug Abuse and Drug Testing |
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 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.
