There is hardly anything as devastating to a parent as the realization that his teenager is amok in terms of substance abuse. It may make you feel that the bottom of your family is shaking and you cannot help but to ask how to be trusted, safe, and what lies ahead.
The first step towards the process of coping with substance abuse in your teenager is to learn about it and its causes. Teen substance abuse is evidently defined as the misuse of substances in the form of drugs, alcohol, or other mind-altering drugs by a person aged 13 to 19 years (officially-speaking). The misuse may go as far as experimenting with vaping or alcohol or as critical problems as long-term drug use or addiction.
Although experimenting with drugs is not so unusual among teenagers, it is usually a step forward toward substance abuse when using it slowly but surely begins to hurt everyday life including school grades, love, and even illnesses or depression. It is at this point when you must formulate a recovery plan be it IOP teen or otherwise.
The Causes of Teenage Substance Abuse.
Teen years mean experimenting and passion. Most adolescents abuse drugs to conform to others, cope with stress or the urge to experiment. Nonetheless, the causes involved in substance abuse are deeper (and may be complex) including:
- Peer Influence: Teenagers may be pressured by their peer into practicing risky behaviors.
- Stress and Anxiety: School pressure or personal challenge may cause teens to self-medicate their stress or anxiety.
- Trauma: Substance use vulnerability may be enhanced by untreated childhood trauma or any major changes in life.
- Genetics: Some teens are more likely to have substance abuse problems because there are other members of the family with problems with it.
- Mental Health Battles: Depression or other mental illness may occur as a result of substance use.
What is the Process of Teen Substance Abuse?
The abuse of any substance usually begins innocently in a party, via a friend, or even with some drugs that appear to be non-threatening, such as nicotine or marijuana. With time, recreational use can progress into addiction as the adolescent tries to achieve the same euphoria or elation.
Availability of substances is an important aspect. Teens usually have easy access to drugs since they can simply go to the drug store and buy over-the-counter medications or find alcohol in the household.
The example of vaping and the misuse of prescription drugs, are only some of the evolving trends that parents should be aware of, as they may not always seem to be dangerous on the surface.
Effects of Substance Abuse in Teens
Substance-abuse does not only hurt the teenager. It affects a whole family. Part of the effects may include the following:
- Health Risks: The substance abuse may result in future health issues such as liver damage, mental degeneration, or mental illnesses.
- Behavioral Changes: The teenagers generally tend to become secretive, aggressive, withdrawn, or aggressive when they have a problem of substance use.
- Academic and Social Effects: Academically and social effects such as low grades, absenteeism or fighting with authorities and peers may be experienced.
- Family Conflict: Arguments, suspicion and failure in communication are instances which may lead to the strain of emotions within and among the family.
By acknowledging such an impact later, you and your family will have more opportunities to stop it and recover.
Options of Teenage Substance Abuse Treatment
Fortunately, there are help alternatives which can be used to treat your teen and cure him or her of substance abuse. Some of the routes to take are as follows:
- Professional Counseling: It is recommended that your teen reaches out to specialists in addiction, who help find underlying causes of substance use. They also get better coping skills through counseling.
- Rehabilitation or Detox Programs: More serious cases may require inpatient or intensive outpatient (IOP) residential rehab facilities to offer stern settings where teens can detoxify and initiate the healing process.
- Family Therapy: The parents and siblings may also be helped under therapy. This supports the family issues involving substance abuse which promotes communication and mutual healing.
- Support Groups: There are support groups such as Alateen or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that give teens a sense of identity through similar backgrounds.
Families Coping Strategies
It can seem like you are trying to navigate through unfamiliar wilderness when you have to face teenage substance abuse. But your family does not stand helplessly. Coping with each other has multiple strategies and approaches.
To begin with, the natural reflex of a parent is to quarrel with your teen, in the form of lecturing. But all we really need is to listen and hear with compassion, this can mean the world. Offer a welcoming environment to your teen where he or she feels listened to.
Learn as much as possible about the substances, their effects, and the ways to recover and you will be able to take on challenges. Research drugs, interview doctors and charity groups to learn more.
Do not be reluctant to talk to people you trust, join parent support group, or get professional assistance. There is no shame in asking to get help.
Realise that the healing process can be a two steps forward, one step back procedure. Praise their little successes and understand more than criticise the problems your teen is facing.
Establish clear guidelines and limits about the use of substance. Impose penalties in a calm but firm way. The interest of the teen is their protection, so keep dangerous substances out of the house, watch the friends they have, and what they do.
Parents can find the care of an abusing teenager emotional. Take care of yourself which can come in the form of activities you like, stress management, or therapy. Never forget you can not pour an empty cup.
In short, you are supposed to:
- Ensure open communication and only listen to your teenager instead of judging.
- Empathize and recognize their hardships so as to establish confidence and connections.
- Establish strict deterring rules about substance use and always take action.
- Make your house free of hazardous materials to keep your teenager safe.
- Get to know their friends and activities in order to be alert of possible influences.
- Practice self-cleansing and take part in activities that draw out pleasure units and apply stress management methods.
- Consider a therapist or support group to help get through emotional hassles.
Tips on how to manage reckless drinking and smoking among teens is not an epitome to be grasped effortlessly, however; it is a challenge, which you can accomplish as a family. A path to healing and strength in the face of substance use can be created in your family through dialogue about the sources of the problem, the willingness to allow yourself and your family members to understand and support you professionally. It is a slow process, but when you bear with love, encouragement, and determination, the story of your family should not end with drug abuse but a narrative of power and bonding.
