Drugs and Alcohol-Know the Signs, Know the Risks
As parents, we always want what's best for our children. Sometimes it's difficult to accept the signs even when they're right in front of our face. Some obvious signs of drug use are finding parapharnalia, like pipes, lighters, baggies, syringes, etc... or catching your teen in the act or under the influence. Sometimes the signs are more subtle- there are new "friends" hanging around, curfew is broken, grades are failing, problems at school, sneaky behavior, mood swings and changes in eating and sleeping patterns. Some parents see this as "normal" teenage behavior and they refuse to confront it, sometimes we are afraid to admit that drugs or alcohol is part of the problem because then we would have to DO something about it, and we don't know what to do.
As a parent myself, I can tell you it's not easy when you have these issues going on in your home. I can tell you there is help and you don't have to take it all on by yourself. One of the best things you can do for your struggling teen, yourself, and the rest of the family is seek out help. This way, you are showing love and care, without your teen seeing you as the problem. Take care of yourself, get educated AND get support.
Here are some resources that can be helpful:
Parent Support Groups
Easy to use website from the National Institute on Drug Abuse: Easy to Read Drug Facts
Time to Talk has a Parent toolkit with easy to use guides and explanation of the Teenage Brain
To learn the Truth about Specific Drugs: Drugfreeworld.org This is a great website to view with your teen to spark discussions.
For more about gangs: Parents Guide to Gangs
To learn about support from Juvenile Court
At Risk Youth Petitions
At Risk Youth Parenting: Recommended Reading
University of Washington Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (AIDAI) has a FREE video lending library.
As a parent myself, I can tell you it's not easy when you have these issues going on in your home. I can tell you there is help and you don't have to take it all on by yourself. One of the best things you can do for your struggling teen, yourself, and the rest of the family is seek out help. This way, you are showing love and care, without your teen seeing you as the problem. Take care of yourself, get educated AND get support.
Here are some resources that can be helpful:
Parent Support Groups
Easy to use website from the National Institute on Drug Abuse: Easy to Read Drug Facts
Time to Talk has a Parent toolkit with easy to use guides and explanation of the Teenage Brain
To learn the Truth about Specific Drugs: Drugfreeworld.org This is a great website to view with your teen to spark discussions.
For more about gangs: Parents Guide to Gangs
To learn about support from Juvenile Court
At Risk Youth Petitions
At Risk Youth Parenting: Recommended Reading
University of Washington Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (AIDAI) has a FREE video lending library.