Since time immemorial, teens have been drawn to things that can potentially harm them, such as illicit drugs and alcohol. Forbidden substances are fascinating substances, especially when the adults or respected peers in a teen’s life seem to enjoy using them. If a teen is depressed or has anxiety issues, drugs and alcohol can also help to temporarily alleviate pain and provide an escape from what feels like an unbearable living situation.
While experimentation with drugs and alcohol doesn’t mean your teen will automatically become an addict, such experimentation can lead to serious harm in a teen’s growing body and brain. For some, innocent experimentation can, indeed, lead to dependence or addiction. Certainly the outward behaviors of a teen suffering from drug or alcohol abuse often disrupts family life, grades at school, relationships with friends and teachers, and a teen’s ability to function normally.
As a parent, here are some warning signs to look for if you suspect your teenager has started experimenting with drugs or has a full-blown addiction:
- A sudden drop in grades at school
- Changing friends or groups of friends
- Devious behavior such as lying, sneaking out of the home or into the home late at night, or acting secretively
- Increasingly loud or even violent altercations with parents or siblings over curfews, rules, or even small issues
- Delinquent behavior such as getting into trouble with the law and/or stealing money or valuables to support the drug habit
- Sudden changes in behavior, such as sleeping far more or less than usual, avoiding contact with parents and family, becoming abnormally talkative, spending long hours in a locked bedroom (if that is unusual), or getting fixated on odd things and ideas
What You can Do
Many parents report having a gut feeling that something about their teen is off, even if their child denies it. Talking to your children while they are young and explaining why illicit drugs and alcohol and prescription drug abuse are harmful often helps to give your teen an anchor to hold onto when tempted to experiment. Teens are far less likely to use or abuse harmful substances if their parents have made it clear they disapprove of that behavior.
However, you are not able to micromanage your teen at all times (nor should you), and sometimes kids just make bad choices. If you suspect your teen has been experimenting with or has become addicted to harmful substances, here are some steps you can take:
- Talk to your teen without judgment, asking questions in a neutral manner
- Talk to your teen’s teachers or guidance counselor to see if they have noticed anything amiss. Create a plan with a trusted teacher, school counselor, or administrator to watch out for suspect behavior and to report it to you
- Lean on a trusted clergy member for advice or counseling
- Find a therapist who specializes in teen issues such as depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol abuse
- Enroll your child in a drug counseling program, either inpatient our outpatient, depending on the level of severity of your teen’s substance abuse
While it’s tempting to want to ignore the problem and hope it will go away on its own, teen substance abuse can cause serious physical and mental damage over time which can affect him well into his adult years. Intervening as soon as possible is the key. Programs such as those offered at Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute can help your teen begin to recover and find healthier ways to deal with overwhelming emotions and feelings. Visit our Homepage today to learn more about our adolescent inpatient and outpatient programs and to call for a free, confidential assessment.