Adolescence is an age of rebellion and acting out for many children. At this age, it is prevalent for kids to get into drug abuse habits if not stopped early on. As a parent, you would always want to prevent your children from getting into drug abuse. However, sometimes kids try to hide their lifestyle from their parents. If you suspect that your teenage child is using drugs, you need to take immediate action to stop such incidents.
Here’s what you need to do if you suspect your teenage child is using addictive substances.
1. Get on the same page
Your first instinct would be to get angry and ground your kid. However, that won’t resolve anything, so take a breather and get ready for a difficult conversation with them. Before you talk to the child, ensure that your partner or the adult who shares parental responsibilities agrees with you. It is essential because you need to put a united front in front of the kid and find a solution.
2. Be prepared for accusations
When you start the conversation with your kid, you should be prepared to answer the question ‘haven’t your tried drugs?’ Here, the best option is to be truthful about your answer and make them focus on the consequences of what they do. You may have used drugs, but it didn’t consume you. However, many people lose everything in their lives due to drug abuse. Try to drive home the severity of drug abuse and assure them that a life without drugs is the best one!
3. Gather evidence
Denial is often a route kids take to avoid confrontation with their parents. They may vigorously deny using any addictive substance to avoid the conversation or prevent themselves from getting scolded. That’s why it is essential to gather as much evidence as possible before you confront them.
Check for abusive substances and the accessories used in their room and things.
If things worsen, you can also ask your kid to take a drug test to clear any doubts. You don’t have to visit a doctor to get these drug tests done, as there are currently many home-testing kits available that can tell you if your child has used drugs or not. Ensure to get a reliable, high-quality home drug-test kit to get accurate results.
4. Be ready for anger and tantrums
Know that the conversation won’t be smooth and polite. Be ready for emotional outbursts, accusations of mistrust, and betrayal from your teenager. The key here is to remain calm and let them get it out so that you can talk about what matters, which is changing their attitude towards abusive substances and stopping any further use.
5. Set realistic goals
Once your kid accepts and understands the problems caused by drug abuse, set realistic goals to help them overcome their drug abuse problems. Keep your expectations low and be ready for setbacks. Provide the emotional support and professional help your child would need to overcome their addiction.
6. Establish rules and consequences
It is essential to make your teenage kid understand the severe consequences of going back on the same path. Make sure that your parenting partner also supports these rules and consequences. Involve your kid when you make the rules to prevent further rebellion.
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