How to Treat Adolescent Substance Abusers

Prescription drug abuse is one problem.

Substance abuse is rapidly becoming more of a problem for our adolescents than it was in the past. With the constant availability of more and different kinds of drugs, the parent today must be constantly on alert for the signs. The adolescent substance abuser will display signs that will be easier to spot if the parent knows what to look for and is willing to educate himself. Saving our children from themselves is not an easy job and will take patience, love and the right treatment.

Instructions

1. 

   Be aware that totally different behavior for your adolescent is a sign of drug use. Recognize red eyes, increased hunger and laughing uncontrollably as symptoms of marijuana use. Watch and see if they are unable to sleep, have periods of endless energy and are constantly fidgeting because these are symptoms of stimulant use. Keep track if you see them moving as if in slow motion and displaying very poor reaction time as these are symptoms of using barbiturates and opiates. Watch for changes in the clothing they wear, such as long sleeves even in summer, chronic coughing, sudden weight gain or loss and nosebleeds and dental problems, because they are all signs of drug use.

2. Seek immediate help. Do not let the adolescent fool you into thinking they are not taking drugs if you suspect they have been. Take him/her for a test and physical to find out what type of drugs they are using and what damage has been done. Talk to your family doctor and get a referral for programs that he recommends.

3. 

   Prepare yourself for practicing tough love by reviewing what you have learned about substance abuse. Know ahead of time your child will beg, cry, scream, plead with you to take him home, promise that he will never do drugs again and ask you why you are doing this to him. Prevent your child from becoming a statistic by remaining firm and determined to put a stop to the destructive behavior of drug abuse.

4. Take the adolescent to the treatment facility you and your doctor decide is the one that should be used. Put a stop to the availability of extremely dangerous drugs by signing her into an in-patient facility. Follow the rules of the facility by staying away for the required amount of time while your adolescent is adjusting. Call to check on her, but outside contact is not allowed when the adolescent first enters the facility.

5. Understand that therapy, counseling, group meetings and behavioral limits are a part of the treatment as are consequences that must be accepted for violating these limits.Support the staff as they employ goal-setting, feedback from peers in group sessions, training in relaxation, modification of behavior and beneficial challenges such as hiking, rock climbing and other physical exercise.

6. 

   Remain strong and determined to rid your child of the influence of drugs. Remain steadfast in his staying until the facility says he is ready to leave. Visit when he is ready and talk to him about his problem. Explain to them that you are going to do what it takes to help him remain drug-free.

7. Watch for a recurrence of the substance abuse when she is released from the treatment facility. Do this subtly and never let her think that you expect her to return to her prior behavior. Support and believe in your adolescent and be available when she needs to talk.

Tips & Warnings

• An in-patient facility will be the best for a substance abuser who is using barbiturates, cocaine, PCP and other 'hard' drugs. Tough love is needed for preparing yourself to hear the pleas of your adolescent. Statistics have shown that those who are in a treatment program for a year are less apt to return to drugs than those who were in for less than a year.

• The signs for different types of drugs are not going to be the same. Extreme changes in behavior are one sign that the adolescent is using some type of drug. Substance abuse treatment will not be a quick fix to the adolescent's problem. This may take some time so prepare for this and look to the future rather than the present.

References

• Recognizing and preventing substance abuse
• treatment times make a difference

Resources

• Abuse information