| The teenage years are among the toughest, so many | | | | their drug and alcohol abuse from you. |
| changes and discoveries. Try to remember your | | | | No parent want to see their kids in this situation. We all |
| teenage years while dealing with your teenager. Drugs | | | | as parents want only the best for them. Being faced |
| and alcohol are a situation that all teens face and most | | | | with a teen that is using drugs and alcohol, can seem |
| will experiment. Wondering whether or not your teen is | | | | very overwhelming. How do you handle this? Is there |
| abusing drugs or alcohol can be stressful. If you think | | | | help? Many parents deal with this problem everyday. |
| your teen may be experimenting with drugs and | | | | There is help! Sometimes the solution varies, depending |
| alcohol but don't know how to deal with it, the first thing | | | | on your situation. |
| to do is make sure this is the problem your teen is | | | | Sometimes, just talking to your teen can help. Be |
| facing. Some signs that your teen may be | | | | understanding, and try to remember how tough this |
| experimenting with drugs and alcohol include: | | | | age is, but let them know that you will not tolerate this |
| ~Dramatic Mood Swings~ | | | | behavior. Let them know that you are here to help and |
| Teenagers all have normal mood swings. But look for | | | | that they can trust you to always be there for them. |
| more dramatic changes -- like happy and full of energy | | | | Tell them the consequences of abusing drugs and |
| one minute and then withdrawal, sadness, or fits of | | | | alcohol, even if they already know them, sometimes |
| rage. | | | | hearing you say it can make all the difference. |
| No one knows your child like you do but during these | | | | If simply talking to your teen doesn't work then maybe |
| times you can feel like you don't know them at all. | | | | a teen intervention is in order. It is one thing to hear one |
| ~Does your teen have new friends?~ | | | | person who loves you ask you to stop your behavior, |
| Teens often hang out with teens that are into the | | | | but, quite another to have everyone who loves you |
| same things they are. If your teen has suddenly | | | | ask. |
| ditched his/her old friend for newer maybe older one it | | | | There is a difference between a teen who is |
| is a good sign that they may be using. | | | | experimenting with drugs and alcohol and a teen who |
| ~Acting out in school~ | | | | is addicted to them. |
| Has your teens grades dropped recently? Has their | | | | Teen drug addiction can be harder to deal with. Again, |
| attitude towards school changed? Cutting class, | | | | the situation varies. Some parents turn to a support |
| fighting, and generally acting out are signs that they | | | | center, places designed to help you deal with your out |
| might be using. | | | | of control teen, drug abuse counseling is an alternative |
| ~Attitude and health~ | | | | to look into. Sadly, with all they are going through it can |
| Is there a change in appetite, or sleep patterns? Is your | | | | be hard for teens to talk to their parents, they may |
| teen being openly dishonest and defiant? Has alcohol | | | | feel more comfortable talking to a stranger. With |
| come up missing in your home? How about the | | | | counseling at least you can pick the stranger they talk |
| medicine cabinet? Have you smelled cigarettes or | | | | to. |
| alcohol on his/her breath? Is your teen using a lot of | | | | Some parents take a firmer stand and send their teen |
| breath mints lately? Have they changed how they | | | | to a teen drug rehab. There are many rehab centers |
| dress or do their hair? Have you suspected that your | | | | available. Do some research, find the top rehab |
| teen might be drunk or on something? Any slurred | | | | program. |
| speech, stumbling, Or bloodshot eyes? | | | | The important thing is to get your teen treatment, |
| ~Family~ | | | | whether your teen needs alcohol treatment or teen |
| Has anyone close to you mentioned that they think | | | | drug treatment, it's your job as a parent to help them |
| your teen may be using? Even if it's only one person, | | | | through this. |
| it's enough to investigate further.Teens will try to hide | | | | |