What To Do If Your Child Is Abusing Drugs
If your child becomes addicted to drugs, it means that they have become dependent on it and that they have no control over their need for it. As a parent, you need to recognize the signs of drug abuse in your child so that you can get help for them immediately. Take a look at what you need to know about substance abuse and treatment.
Major Signs of Drug Abuse
One of the major signs that your child is abusing drugs is when you notice that there is a dramatic change in their appearance. They may start hanging out with a different group of kids. There are times when you may actually find evidence of the drug itself or drug paraphernalia in your child's room or school bag. Your child may also become emotionally distant and depressed. When a child starts abusing drugs, they have to lie to cover their addiction. Watch out for signs they are lying about after-school activities and also their activities on the weekend.
Identifying Risk Factors
There are many factors that can lead to drug abuse, and recognizing the signs ahead of time can prevent your child from falling into drug abuse. Children start abusing drugs when there is too little parental supervision or monitoring of their activities. There may also be a low level of communication and interaction between parents and the child. Being inconsistent about disciplining your child or being too severe with your discipline can also lead to drug abuse. A family history of drug abuse can be another factor that pulls your teen into drug abuse. However, one of the biggest factors that influence drug abuse is peer pressure, so keep a close eye on who your child is hanging out with.
Getting Help
If your child is abusing drugs, you need to get help as soon as possible. The first thing you should do is contact a family therapist to evaluate and give an assessment of your child. They can then recommend the most appropriate treatment. Treatment may include outpatient or residential help in a drug abuse facility. You may need to get family therapy sessions, this will often be necessary to help everyone heal.
The faster you get your child help, the sooner they can get back to a normal life. Going down the road of drug abuse is a dangerous path, and to save your child's future, you must get them back on the right track as quickly as possible.