Teenage Drug Abuse

If you have ever dealt with teenage drug abuse, you know how heart rending and devastating it can be. As a parent, you experience wave after wave of emotion, from anger to despair and many feelings in between. Many parents blame themselves and feel like total failures. If you have found yourself in this unfortunate position, you should know you are not alone.

In this country teenage drug, abuse is not a new phenomenon. For decades, teens have been using drugs and alcohol. Some research indicates that the number of kids using illegal drugs is down from previous years however, it is still a significant problem, especially if it is your teenager doing the abusing.

Alcohol

Even though alcohol is a legal substance, it is still an illegal drug for people under the age of 21. The fact that it is legally obtainable by adults however is one of the reasons it is the number one drug of choice for most teenagers. If underage drinking is a problem for your teen, you can take some steps to prevent and treat the problem.

There are many programs available for teenage drug abuse and that includes alcohol. There are in-patient programs and 12 step programs for teens just as there are for adults. The first thing you will want to do if you suspect your teen is drinking is take them to your family physician. It is rare but there are some medical conditions that can mimic alcoholism symptoms so you will want to be sure. Besides, if your child is abusing alcohol there are some physical side effects you should check out.

Marijuana and Illegal Drugs

Probably the most widely used illegal drug in America, marijuana is second in line when it comes to teenage drug abuse. Some figures have admitted marijuana usage at around 45% but if you were able to get the real numbers it would likely be closer to 80% of people have at least tried it once.

To determine teenage drug abuse of marijuana there are some signs that you can look for. People who use marijuana frequently may have a strong odor on their clothes or person.

The smell of burning marijuana is very strong and distinct and many people will try to mask the smell with incense, room sprays and heavy perfumes or cologne. Other signs of teenage drug abuse in general include changes in eating habits, secrecy, borrowing money more often, new friends, bad grades and bottles of eye drops.

When you begin to see the signs of teenage drug abuse of any kind you will have to go into action. Go through their room, possessions and closet, privacy is not an option if your teen is doing drugs. Seek professional guidance for you and your child, and finally be ready to demonstrate tough love. It can be hard to face a crying teenager who does not want to go into treatment and who is begging for a second chance. As a parent, you have the obligation to do everything in your power to stem the teenage drug abuse before it is too late.

You may want to check out my other guide on stop drinking alcohol and alcoholic anonymous

Teenage Drug Abuse

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