DEALING WITH DRINKING & DRUG ISSUES AND YOUR TEEN

Tips for Dealing with Drink and Drug Issues

Their worst fears are that their teen will get into trouble with drink and drugs for many parents. It is a prime time for them to experiment and try new things. Peer pressure, wanting to fit in, and having fun can all lead to drink and drug issues.

If your teen has developed a problem, it can be heartbreaking. However, there are ways to address the issue. Below, you’ll learn some of the best tips you can follow when dealing with drink and drug issues.

Don’t Panic and Do Your Homework.

It’s common to panic when you learn that your child has been around drink or drugs. Often the terror comes from knowing very little about drug use in teens. Before you over-react, please do your research to learn about the different drugs, their effects, and the level of addictiveness.

It’s essential to be in a calm state when you talk to your teen about these issues. If you aren’t and react purely with anger, they will start hiding things from you. So, if they have openly told you about the issue, praise them for being honest. Even if you have found out from somebody else, flying off the deep end will not achieve anything. 

Talk to Them

It’s critical to talk to your teen about the issue. How long have they been drinking and taking drugs? How often do they do it, or was it just a one-off? It would help if you established the facts before you can figure out how to deal with it.

It would be best if you stayed calm as you discuss the issue too. Let them know trying things is a normal part of being a teen and explain the negative impact of drugs. This is where your homework will pay off. You can teach them why drugs and drinks can be harmful and their effects on loved ones. 

Make sure you sit down and talk to them when they have time. Trying to do it when they are in a rush or watching their favorite TV program isn’t going well.

Seek Professional Help When Needed

If your child has only experimented with drink and drugs as a one-off, they may only need a chat about the dangers and effects. However, if the problem has developed into a more severe addiction, professional help may be required.

Getting your teen to seek professional help isn’t going to be easy. However, depending upon their age, you may be able to force the issue. When you move anything onto a teen, the only trouble is it makes them even more defiant. 

There is no denying that dealing with drink and drug issues with your teen is exceptionally challenging. However, remaining open and understanding is one of the best ways to address it. As tempting as it might be to explode and shout, this is going to do very little to deter your teen from drinking or taking drugs.