As a parent, you are undoubtedly concerned for your child. Teen Drug addiction is one of the deadliest threats. Parents are worried whether their teens are taking drugs or not. All the schools are also concerned about how to find the best remedies to save the child. Time to time, every school takes proper steps to make children aware of the drug addiction drawbacks. Besides, every state and government implement plans to check back teen drug disorder. According to BBC, drug use ‘at record level due to young people.’
A drug abuse problem can be associated with emotional, physical and behavioural symptoms. However, be aware that the symptoms listed below are not necessarily indicative of addiction and can be traced to several other causes. Parental role indeed plays a vital part to eradicate drug abuse problem.
Teen Drug Addiction Signs and Symptoms
Emotional Symptoms
Have you noticed that your teen’s mood swings in an unexplained way? It is a significant sign of teen drug addiction claimed by the psychologist. However, be sure that it is not always true. Teens mood swinging may have different other reasons. If you find that your teen shows suspicion behaviour like he becomes aggressive without any reason, you should take this sign seriously. Don’t take it lightly if you find your child is anxious without any valid reasons.
Physical Symptoms
Have you noticed that your child’s eyes are reddish though he is not sick? Does he have a persistent cough or nasal congestion? Besides, he is losing or gaining weight. Persistent fatigue? You should take these symptoms seriously.
Behavioural Symptoms of Drug Abuse in Teens
If your teenager has an addiction disorder, you may see the following behavioural changes at home, with friends, or at school.
At Home or With Friends
Some notable behavioural changes include:
- Bathing less frequently or lacking interest in other forms of personal care.
- She/he is no longer taking part in usual family activities.
- Arrive home at a late hour.
- Never tell you where she/he is going.
- Steal money or precious objects from relatives (to stock up on drugs).
- He/she is getting in trouble with the law.
- Change friends.
Teen Drug Addiction Symptoms At school
Behavioural manifestations at school are observed, including:
a) A decline in academic performance;
b) Absence from class, playing truant;
c) The fact that he falls asleep on his desk;
d) Homework that is not done;
e) Giving up sports or extracurricular activities;
f) Inability to concentrate or poor memory.
The above symptoms may suggest that there are other issues besides teen drug addiction. So it is essential to see a health care provider such as a doctor, paediatrician, or nurse practitioner for one. Diagnosis and get more help if needed.
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How is Teen Drug Addiction Diagnosed?
A health care provider will assess your teenager before deciding whether to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder.
The health care provider will collect your or your teen’s information during a medical appointment. Besides, your teen may have to complete a few screening questionnaires that can identify drug abuse. They may also need to have a physical exam to look for physical symptoms related to the use of certain substances.
Your teenager has the right to confidential health care, whether it is in consultation in your presence or alone with the health care provider. However, the latter must give you information about your teenager if he has urgent safety concerns (such as the risk of suicide or homicide or the reported assault on a teenager under 16 years old).
Depending on the drugs your teen is using (or whether the health care provider checks for any other behavior that is risky to their health), they may also suggest a blood test or other tests.
Will My Teenager Have To Be Tested For Drugs?
Drug tests rarely identify a substance abuse problem.
1. They have to be performed in a precise manner to demonstrate exact results.
2. They can only demonstrate substance use that occurred 24 or 48 hours ago.
3. There is no evidence that they help build a relationship of trust between a teenager and their caregiver.
It can only be used if the adolescent gives consent or is unable to do so (as in the case of being unconscious in the emergency room).
Treatment
What Can the Health Care Provider Do for A Teenager with A Drug Use Disorder?
Depending on the assessment, a health care provider may make some suggestions that are helpful to you and your teen.
The best option is to consult an addiction counsellor with several approaches available, including motivational interviewing. These approaches are indeed beneficial to support your teen and help him identify areas where he could change his behavior.
Other, More Intensive, Treatments for Teen Drug Disorder Include:
Day Treatment: The teen attends a group program during the week that provides treatment and earning credit;
Residential Treatment: The adolescent stays in a treatment centre and receives support while attending classes every day.
The different treatments usually include some form of family or parenting support and treatment. In countries, these treatment programs require the consent of the teen. The laws of some countries allow parents of a teenager under 16 to make this decision for him or her.
What Is Your Role as A Parent Against Teen Drug Addiction?
Inform Your Teen the Reasons Why No to Drugs
Drugs never bring any blessing to health. Moreover, good health is always beneficial for success. Teens being immature, have little knowledge to understand the drawbacks of drugs. Inform them in a very engaging way how drugs bring a disaster future. Besides, give them real-life examples—some case study about addicted persons and how the person spoils his life.
Avoid Letting Your Teenager End Up in Risky Situations
Make them understand that they should not go to the deserted street unnecessarily, especially at night. Besides, you must encourage them to come home early and not stay out of home after evening. However, be sure that your teen should be under adult supervision. The appropriate management will undoubtedly save your teens from any danger ahead. You can use spy software to monitor teens phone. It is to supervise him. Use Spouseware to monitor your teens’ phone so that you can trace everything, messages, social network, calls, location. No worries! He will not understand that you are using spyware. However, through Sposuseware, you can stop digital harassment and check back child phone addiction.
Always Show Him Examples of Teen Drug Addiction
Parents’ behaviour (and not just when it comes to drugs when it comes to alcohol as well) matters a lot. Explain your own experiences that you have seen in your life. It may be someone from your college life was addicted. Or someone from your relative or neighbour.
Warn Him About All Forms of Drugs
You can find anything, everywhere, and that’s why your teenager should be wary of the first cigarette, like the first dose, the first joint, the first pill. The first time, it’s always free, always offered by someone who looks super lovely and that’s the catch! It is also an opportunity to remind him that there are no soft drugs and that natural does not mean harmless!
Remind Him That We Are There, Listening to Him
Be a positive parent. Besides, assure that we are always there for him. Your child can share anything without hesitation. Such an atmosphere you should make in your family. If your child admits that he is taking drugs, don’t lose your mind. Try to be calm. Please help him to get rid of this dark habit. When parents play a positive vital role, they can minimize teen drug addiction.
Remind Him Of The Risks From A Legal Point Of View
The use of drugs is a crime. We should inform our child about the risk from a legal point of view. Law force agency will arrest if anyone takes drugs. Also, carrying drugs is a crime.