As a parent, when you first discover that your teenager or young adult is using drugs, or even may be abusing drugs, it can be a crushing revelation. Many parents don’t know where to turn to help and support their kids who are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse. Commonly, families experience the effects of their young one’s drug or alcohol use prior to the discovery itself. However, once it becomes plain that alcohol and drugs are involved in your teenager or young adult’s life, the symptoms are often solidified:
- The relationship with your teenager or young adult may have become extremely strained due to their abuse of substances.
- You may be unable to trust your teenager or young adult, even though you would like to.
- You may immediately fear for their future, and begin to wonder what will happen to them if your child continues to use drugs and alcohol.
- You may experience feelings or thoughts of guilt, or fear the judgement of others.
- You may feel the desire to keep your loved one’s use of drugs and alcohol a secret, and begin to feel isolated.
Here are a few questions to help you decide whether seeking professional support for your teenager or young adult’s drug or alcohol use may be beneficial to you as a parent and your family.
Is your teenager or young adult:
- Using drugs or alcohol
- Making questionable decisions
- Running with the wrong crowd
- Creating fear and tension in the home
- Lying
- Risking their future
Has the discovery of your child’s substance abuse caused you as a parent or your family members:
- Anxiety, worry, or fear
- Marital tension
- Exhaustion
- Anger
- To blame yourself
- To blame others
- To cover for their actions
- To compromise family boundaries
- To accept things in the home that you don’t want to
Have you tried:
- Reasoning
- Discipline
- Loving
- Explaining
- Lecturing
- Grounding
- Guilt
- Yelling
- Bribing
- Punishing
- Pleading
- Threatening
If so, how many of these tactics have worked?
If any of the above apply to you or your family’s situation, it may be worth it to seek support and help from professionals who specialize in the treatment of young people with drug and alcohol problems, and provide family and parent support groups for those dealing with addiction.
Please see Family Substance Abuse Support Groups for details, times and days for the following:
- Phoenix, Arizona Parent Support Group Meeting
- Sacramento, California Parent Support Group Meeting
- Walnut Creek, California Parent Support Group Meeting
- Distance (phone-in) Parent Support Group Meeting