Teenage is a very susceptible time, when you can slip into any bad habit very easily. It comprises of the growing years when peers play a dominant role in the life of a young adult, who feels he is ready to take the world. The decline in the communication levels with parents and siblings and an explosion of oneself into the world outside, to search for an identity of one’s own, may cause serious effects. It may result in adoption of maladaptive behavior, such as smoking, drinking or even doping i.e. taking drugs.
Parents are the most concerned lot when their children are in their teens. Fun, pleasure or constant pressure faced by an adolescent to make his presence felt in the group can cost him heavily. Teens may not realize the serious consequence of what they are in taking; leave alone its addiction powers. Parents should be cautious enough when they realize that their child is taking drugs. Resort to methods that would make the child leave his drug use habit, but which are also mild and easy going. Being harsh or strict always does not ensure positive results.
How to Help Teen Taking Drugs
If teenagers start taking drugs, it is mainly the onus of parents and considerate friends to help them stop it. In the following lines, we have provided some advice for parents for helping their child in the problem.
Communicate With Your Child
One of the best things that you can do is sit down and talk with your child. Be sure to have a conversation when you are calm and composed and when you have a lot of time. It would not be easy on your part as you might feel. However, by staying involved, you can help him stop using drugs and make choices that will make a positive difference in his life.
Open Up and Be Definite About Your Apprehensions
Tell your child what you feel about him and what has made you think that he is doing drugs. Discuss it with him. Be precise about the things that you have observed and that have caused worry. If you have found drug bottle or cans, make him/her aware that you know about it. Explain how his behavior or appearance has changed and why that worries you. Tell him that drug and alcohol use is dangerous and it’s your job to keep him away from things that put his life in danger.
Don’t Give Justification
It’s natural for parents to make excuses for their child. Remember that you’re not helping your child if you make excuses when he misses school or family functions and you suspect something else is at play. Talk to your child and get more information. Reason out if the problem is genuine. If not, then talk to your child and tell him that things are not going on well and that you need to discuss about it.
Be Calm
Have a talk with you child, without getting mad or accusing him of being stupid or bad or an embarrassment to the family. Be firm, but loving with your tone and try not to get hooked into an argument. Though every child wants his own privacy it is still the responsibility of the parent to keep a check about it. Do not to make the discussion sound like an investigation; simply try to connect with your teen and find out why he might be making bad choices. Find out if his friends or others offered him drugs at a party or school. Did he try it just out of curiosity, or was there some other reason? That alone will be a signal to your child that you care.
