Teen Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a powerful disease, this is no secret, but when teenagers become addicted to drugs, it’s much more serious.  Drugs affect a teen’s body in different ways, but when teens have to deal with drug addiction, it’s much more difficult to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle as they get older.

Teens and kids are being exposed to drugs at an ever increasingly younger age.  Studies have shown by the time children get into the 8th grade, nearly 35 percent have tried at least one drug.  The number of teenagers who become addicted to drugs is at about 20 percent; that’s a lot.

The reason teens are more prone to drug addiction is due to life circumstances.  Many teenagers get overwhelmed with everyday life struggles.  Many teens have low self-esteem, social anxiety, inability to express feelings, and a lack of control over their lives.  All of these contribute greatly to drug use and eventually drug addiction.

Drugs kill the pain of an ordinary, mundane life, as well as destroy physical and emotional pain by changing the addict’s perception of reality.  Drugs make the addict numb to the emotional pain, hopelessness, or loneliness that they may feel in their life.

Do you suspect your teen has a drug addiction?  Some of the more common signs of drug addiction in teens include:

• Dramatic changes in behavior
• Dull, glassy eyes
• Excessive tiredness
• Failing in school
• Lying or stealing; money, jewelry
• Isolation or loss of interest in activities

What do you do when you suspect your teen has a drug problem or addiction?  First, trust your instincts.  If you feel there is a problem, something wrong or off, there probably is.  Find a safe time when you can talk freely with your teenager and be honest about your concerns.  Try to be open-minded about what they are telling you and sympathetic to their perception of their problems.

Tell your teen what you are feeling about their drug addiction.  You are probably worried, scared, and frightened about what might happen to them.  Try not to be judgmental or angry:  this will only cause them to shut down.  You can also talk about personal observations or experience you have with drugs.  While you may be hesitant to do this, it will make you more human in your teen’s eyes.

Often, those closest to your teen – meaning you – find it easy to deny that their teen has a drug problem.  When it comes to teen drug addiction, you can’t do this.  It’s important that you get them help as soon as possible.  Don’t give up and try not to be discouraged if your initial attempts fail.  Eventually, you’ll get through and then you and your teen can start fighting drug addiction together.

Remember this is about them, not you. Most important of all, be supportive of them, be accepting of them. Drug addiction is a disease, not a moral inadequacy.