Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse
What to Do When Your Teen Is Using
Families have a strong influence on whether a child will use cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs. Here are some ideas to help you recognize and deal with this issue.
Work with your teen
Before any substance use has occurred, discuss:
- Your teen's risk. Talk with your teen about his or her risk for developing substance dependence (addiction). Discuss the family history of substance abuse or addiction, the influence of peers, and substances available in your community.
- The personal consequences. Explain that some behaviors, such as unsafe sex, can lead to consequences that last a lifetime. Talk about how the use of substances while trying to develop adult skills—graduating from high school, going to college, getting a job—can affect his or her future. Remember that teens live for today, so discussing long-term health consequences of drug use does not help prevent a teen from using substances.
- The legal consequences.Remind your teen that it is illegal for teens to use any substances, including alcohol and cigarettes. Talk about the increased risk of auto accidents, violence, and arrests related to substance use.
- Expected behaviors. Talk about what to do in social situations involving alcohol or drugs. Be very clear about what action you want your teen to take in these situations. Discuss your expectations regarding all-night dances (raves) and the drugs that may be available at these events. Use a parent-teen contract to write down expected behaviors and consequences if the plan is not followed.
Take quick action
Any use of alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs in childhood or the teen years should be considered a problem, unless it turns out to be only an isolated incident. If you suspect or see signs that your teen is using substances, check it out. Don't wait for it to become a significant problem.
Note: One home urine drug screening test has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The test provides immediate preliminary information about whether the urine sample contains particular drugs (amphetamine, methamphetamine, opiate, marijuana, and cocaine). But it does not indicate which drug has been used. The test strip has to be sent to a laboratory for confirmation and to identify the drug used. Don't use this kind of testing to identify substance abuse. Sometimes this test is used during treatment or during the continued structured support program (aftercare program) to monitor a teen. It is best not to use this test without your teen's consent, and it needs to be done under the supervision of a health professional.
Use the following information to help you recognize and deal with substance use in your teen.
If treatment is needed
If your teen needs treatment for a substance abuse problem:
- Get appropriate treatment. Talk with a health professional about treatment options in your area. Adult programs do not meet the needs of teens because they usually stress long-term health and relationship effects of substance abuse, which is not a concern for teens. If your teen needs to be placed in a structured inpatient or outpatient program, look for a program with the components he or she needs, such as a school program or opportunities for parental involvement.
- Be involved in the treatment and aftercare program. Let your teen know that you are supportive. It may take a long time for your teen to reestablish trust, to be forgiven by you, and to forgive himself or herself.
- Get help for your family. Talk with a health professional about help for you and your family. Substance abuse affects the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of the person and his or her family. Your family members need to know that they did not cause the disease but their behavior can contribute to the continuation of the disease process. Family therapy is an important factor in whether your teen will be able to remain substance-free after treatment. Support groups such as Al-Anon and Alateen may be very helpful for family members.
- Help establish a direction. Establishing a sense of direction in life is important for your teen to remain drug-free. Treatment for teen substance abuse usually includes help to identify talents and strengths that can be used to find healthy interests, hobbies, and occupations. Teens who develop a sense of purpose in life are better able to avoid substance use.
- Plan for relapse. Most teens relapse after treatment. This does not mean that the treatment failed. Relapse is high because addiction is a long-term disease. If your teen relapses, respond with empathy because it is very hard to remain substance-free. Allow your teen the opportunity to explore his or her feelings of ambivalence toward abstinence and relapse. Try to help him or her see relapse as an opportunity to improve motivation and keep working on skills to avoid substance use.
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS Jeannette Curtis | Last Updated: August 27, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Yifrah Kaminer, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | |
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