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Teen Drug Use and Teen Drinking also known as
Substance Abuse amongst teens and even children.
With today's society, kids have access to many
different substances that can be addictive and damaging. If you suspect
your child is using drugs or drinking alcohol, please seek help for them
as soon as possible. Drug testing is helpful, but not always accurate.
Teen Drug use and Teen Drinking may escalate to addiction.
We get calls constantly, that a child is only smoking
pot. Unfortunately in most cases, marijuana can lead to more severe
drugs, and marijuana is considered an illegal drug. Smoking marijuana is
damaging to the child's body, brain and behavior. Even though marijuana
is not considered a narcotic, most teens are very hooked on it. Many
teens that are on prescribed medications such as Ritalin, Adderall,
Strattera, Concerta, Zoloft, Prozac etc. are more at risk when mixing
these medications with street drugs. It is critical you speak with your
child about this and learn all the side effects. Educating your child
on the potential harm may help them to understand the dangers involved
in mixing prescription drugs with street drugs. Awareness is the first
step to understanding.
Alcohol is not any different with today's teens. Like
adults, some teens use the substances to escape their problems; however
they don't realize that it is not an escape but rather a deep dark hole.
Some teens use substances to "fit in" with the rest of their peers –
teen peer pressure. This is when a child really needs to know that they
don't need to "fit in" if it means hurting themselves. Using drug and
alcohol is harming them. Especially if a teen is taking prescribed
medication (refer to the above paragraph) teen drinking can be harmful.
The combination can bring out the worse in a person. Communicating with
your teen, as difficult as it can be, is one of the best tools we have.
Even if you think they are not listening, we hope eventually they will
hear you.
If your teen is experimenting with this, please step in
and get proper help through local resources. If it has extended into an
addiction, it is probably time for a Residential Placement. If you feel
your child is only experimenting, it is wise to start precautions
early. An informed parent is an educated parent. This can be your life
jacket when and if you need the proper intervention. Always be
prepared, it can save you from rash decisions later.
A teen that is just
starting to experiment with substance use or starting to become
difficult; a solid short term self growth program may be very beneficial
for them. However keep in mind, if this behavior has been escalating
over a length of time, the short term program may only serve as a
temporary band-aid.
Drugs and Alcoholic
usage is definitely a sign that your child needs help. Teen Drug
Addiction and Teen Drinking is a serious problem in today’s society; if
you suspect your child is using substances, especially if they are on
prescribed medications, start seeking local help. If the local
resources become exhausted, and you are still experiencing difficulties,
it may be time for the next step; Therapeutic Boarding School or
Residential Treatment Center.
If you feel your teen is in need of further Boarding School, Military School or Program Options, please complete our
Information
Request Form. Please visit
Informational
Articles for more beneficial information.
*Local Therapist should be
Therapist/Counselors that "specialize" with Adolescents. |
