Mistakes You Could Be Making If You're The Parent Of A Teen Who Uses Drugs

Being the parent of a teen can be tough, even moreso when you find out that they have been using drugs. Doing the right things can be a challenge if you aren't sure what to do, and your teenager might not be acting the same as you're used to. Here are some mistakes you could making without realizing it.

Not Taking the Problem Seriously

If you have found your teenager with marijuana, you might consider it to be infrequent experimentation that doesn't need much attention. However, marijuana users are three times more likely to be addicted to heroin and many believe that marijuana use leads to further drug usage down the road. Taking action when you first notice a change or find evidence is important so that you can stop your child from starting on a downward spiral.

Blaming Yourself

It is natural that you may start to feel guilty for your child's drug use. However, when you blame yourself, you give your child the idea that you are the person that needs to be corrected. In effect, you absolve them from responsibility. If it isn't their fault in the first place, how will they ever summon the power to stop using?

Instead, point out that your child's drug use is a result of their own poor decision-making skills. This may seem harsh, but when they feel responsible, they also will ultimately realize that they are strong enough to make different decisions and stop taking drugs. 

Not Taking Steps to Protect Your Family

If your teenager has gotten to the point where they have started taking money out of your pocketbook or wallet, you might just let it go or ignore it. You may think that you don't want to ostracize or embarrass your teen by keeping your belongings under lock and key; you don't want to "treat them like a criminal." However, it is vital that you take steps to protect your family from their behavior and to let your teenager know that they are making choices that have results.

It is especially important to protect siblings from the actions of your drug-using child. You might think that your teenager wouldn't involve your other children in their problems, but if they are high and not thinking clearly, things can happen, even unintentionally. Do your best to limit the time your teenager spends around your other children alone.

It is not easy to deal with a teenager who is involved with drugs. Keep in touch with a center that has experience with addiction treatment so that your teen can get the right kind of help. Contact a facility like Lifeline for more information.