No parent likes to acknowledge that their teen has an addiction problem. The teenage years are years where experimentation occurs, and teens many times try alcohol and drugs just to “fit into the crowd”. Most teens outgrow this phase, but some become addicted to substances rather quickly and develop a serious addiction.
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It can be difficult for parents to judge whether an addiction is present at first, as all teens are moody and unpredictable, as addicts are. The main factors to watch for, however, are:
- A sudden change in behavior with a loss of interest in activities.
- A change in eating habits, as most addicts do not eat routinely.
- Staying awake for long periods and then sleeping for long periods. This occurs primarily with cocaine addictions as there is a high that first occurs, which keeps the addict awake and lively, but a crash occurs later that makes the addict overly tired.
- Anger and aggression. This is a true sign of an amphetamine or methamphetamine addiction. Methamphetamine addictions are considered very dangerous addictions, as the addict loses the concept of reality. Hallucinations can occur, and addicts have been known to attack others or engage in risky behaviors. Methamphetamine creates significant changes in the brain, and it is a difficult addiction to overcome.
- Weaving and slurring of words, as well as dozing off. This occurs with both heroin and alcohol.
Once a parent discovers signs of an addiction, early intervention is the key
However, getting a teen to admit to addiction or even submit to treatment can be a challenge. If a parent already has a good relationship with a teen, the job of discussing the addiction and getting treatment can be easier. If a poor relationship exists, it is more difficult to discuss anything, let alone a suspected addiction. There are steps, however, that parents can take to discover and get treatment for their teens if they are addicted. The first step is having a urine test and bloodwork run on their teenager to find out if any drugs or alcohol are in their system. This can be a challenge, as many teen addicts will not even take the first step.
The second challenge is proving that a teenager is a threat to themselves or society while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Although in the USA, 37 states and the District of Columbia have involuntary admission laws in force, as do other countries, the guidelines for committing a teen are high, even when a teen may not cooperate with the program guidelines. Drug or alcohol addiction in many areas is not seen as a mental illness, and this works against parents seeking help for their teens.
Seeking the right treatment
Finding the right treatment for your teen’s addiction is crucial to their recovery journey. Depending on the severity of the addiction, different treatment options may be necessary. For those with less intense substance use disorders, Outpatient Drug Rehab can be a viable option. This type of rehab allows teens to receive professional help while still living at home and maintaining some semblance of their daily routine. Outpatient programs typically offer various forms of therapy, including individual counseling, group therapy, and family sessions, which can be invaluable in addressing the underlying causes of the addiction and fostering a supportive environment for recovery. For teens with more severe addiction issues, an intensive outpatient program can provide the necessary structured support while still permitting them to live at home, bridging the gap between inpatient treatment and standard outpatient care.
Additionally, it’s essential to consider a facility’s credentials, the experience of its staff, and the specific treatment modalities it utilizes to ensure the best possible outcomes for your teen.
Families from the Beehive State often seek the best intensive outpatient program Utah has to offer, which supports their teens in maintaining daily routines while receiving structured care. These programs offer therapy, accountability, and flexibility, enabling teens to build resilience without disrupting their education.
Even when a teen seeks treatment, parents need to watch for relapses
Relapses are common among addicts, and the same is true for teens. There are things a parent can do to try and prevent relapse:
- Be aware of all the signs of addiction again, as mentioned earlier.
- Read and understand as much about addiction as possible.
- Join a support group for parents of addicted teens or seek psychotherapy to repair family tensions that might be leading to the addiction.
- Monitor the activities of the teen without being overly strict. A teen cannot feel like a prisoner and cannot avoid all contact with friends. However, parents need to know where their teen is and with whom.
- Therapy works well for the teen, and the parents can also join in that also.
- Try to avoid situations that could lead to harming others or the teen. That could mean limiting driving or traveling out of state if a teen is newly recovered or seems to have a relapse. Being under the influence behind the wheel of a car can be disastrous for the teen and others. When being out of the state, a teen can easily relapse as no one is there for emotional support.
- Finally, a parent needs to offer as much emotional support as possible, without judgment. Teens, like other addicts, do not choose addiction but rather fall into it. Evaluating why a teen seeks to escape reality by using drugs or alcohol can be greatly beneficial. Family interactions may need to be changed, and patterns of behavior that impact a teen negatively should be discovered. There is a lot of time and effort involved in assisting a teen who suffers from addiction.
More steps to take in implementing a parent’s guide to helping an addicted teen
- Remove all drugs, alcohol, and drug paraphernalia from the home. Sometimes, a teen who is craving drugs will switch from one drug to alcohol, which may be readily available in a home, even if not in a traditional form. Mouthwash contains a higher amount of alcohol than some alcoholic beverages, and addicts have been known to drink it. Household sprays can also be a problem, as “huffing” can occur, which is sniffing the chemicals in the spray. A great deal of ongoing vigilance is needed.
- Question all suspicious activities at once without harassing the teen.
- Remember that a parent’s main role is to keep their teen safe, not to be a best friend. An addicted teen who has completed rehab can be angry and unruly at times, but parents should never cave into demands to “keep the peace.”
- Immediately seek help again ASAP, search for drug detox near me, if a relapse occurs without any judgment or lectures. Teens are fragile and emotional, and a judgmental attitude by parents will drive a teenager deeper into addiction.
Conclusion
Acceptance by parents that addiction, even in teens, is an ongoing process with setbacks, is necessary. Even smokers might quit smoking for a while, only to return to it many times until quitting permanently. Parents need to embrace all life changes as permanent changes and assist a teen struggling with addiction with love and acceptance, each step of the way. Most of all, teen addicts should not in any way be “enabled” by parents in the addiction process, even when parents can see that a teen is hurting without drugs or alcohol. Too much love is as dangerous to a teen’s recovery as too little love.