Teenage Drug Abuse - Surviving Teenage Drug Abuse

Finding out that their teenage son or daughter is suffering from drug abuse can be catastrophic for many parents. Myriad thoughts of guilt, disappointment, failure and embarrassment pass through the parents' mind during such a time. During such moments, the parents should try and remember they are not the only ones in the world facing such a scenario. And most importantly, teen drug abuse can be overcome. A majority of teenaged children get involved in some kind of drug abuse while in school or college. In most cases, peer pressure and a misguided notion of freedom defying societal norms are the reasons behind the usage of drugs.



Some teens use drugs to fit in with friends or to be popular. Many others use it to seek attention from their parents or to escape problems. They forget drug abuse cannot solve problems. Drugs take over one's life to such an extent that nothing else seem to matter. Alcohol and drugs make the addict numb to the unhappiness of daily existence. Family members often find it difficult to believe that their children can suffer from such a problem.

In such cases it is best to trust one's instincts and seek the truth. A suitable time needs to be found when one can talk freely with the troubled teenager. Open-mindedness is essential while talking to a teen drug addict. One should not appear judgmental. Rather the true feeling of worry, scariness and fright should be shown to the child. The sooner you try to help a troubled teenager, the faster he or she will be able to change. One should not be discouraged if the first attempt at helping is not successful. A different approach can be taken or professional help can be sought.

By allowing the child to talk to a third person often makes recovery easier. This is because the family is too close to the addict emotionally to be of any real help. Parents must realize that they are not the ones responsible for the addiction. With addiction come both physical and emotional damages and helping the troubled child is what counts.

Things that are forbidden often allure the teenager. Among the drugs that are abused on a regular basis are alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, over-the-counter drugs, ecstasy, inhalers and steroids. Drug abuse by teenagers affects not just the teens and their families. The entire society is also at risk. The health effects of drugs varies depending on factors like the frequency of use, the kind of drug taken, the quantity taken, the time period of drug usage and other components.

In today's society, parents face the difficult situation of raising drug-free children. Communication can be the most potent tool in achieving this. Parents, supportive organizations and educators need to talk to the children and make them aware of the dangers of drug abuse. It is encouraging to note that drug abuse by teenagers is gradually decreasing. Due to increased attention paid to drugs by the governments, various community groups, the media and especially the parents, teens are being forced to reassess the dangers of drug abuse.

• Juliana Breckinridge
• 12/06/2009, 3:59 AM
• 0 Comments