YOU AND YOUR CHILD

Busy parents: Curious Teenagers! Effects

                                                                                       

Young people generally try drugs for many reasons including relaxation, socializing, curiosity or peer pressure. Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are the most commonly used drugs by teenagers. Around one in five teenagers have tried cannabis at least once. Adolescence is a confused state for most teens as a lot is happening to them that they cannot explain. Typically,  it is a period of experimentation and parents must be very conscious and careful of what and where they expose their children to, especially for parents who are hardly around due to the busy schedule of their jobs. Irrespective of parenting skills and influence, some teenagers still pick bad habits either from school, friends or even the kind of movies they watch.

 Parents typically worry about their children becoming dependent on drugs such as methamphetamine (speed and ice), ecstasy, heroin and cocaine. However, the more likely threat to any teenager’s health is the use of drugs such as alcohol and tobacco; most parents are still on a cross-road as to if these drugs are just getaway drugs for teenagers, and there is no way a parent can guarantee their teenagers will never take drugs after sometime. Irrespective of why these teenagers get involved in this unhealthy habit, parents must take serious measures to help them get out of it.

Many parents are concerned that if their child tries cannabis, it will only be a matter of time before they progress to other drugs, such as amphetamines and heroin. However, there is no evidence to support the theory that cannabis is a ‘gateway’ drug that automatically leads to the use of other drugs.

WHY TEENAGERS TAKE DRUGS

Young people use drugs for similar reasons that adults do – to change how they feel, either to feel better or different. Other reasons why teenage kids get involved with drugs may include:

• The need to socialize with friends, peer pressure or the need to feel they belong to a part of a group.
• Relaxation or fun: Most teenagers who take drugs do so while relaxing or hanging out with friends, but what they fail to understand is that, this is one of the unhealthiest way for anyone to relax.
• Boredom: Some get into this habit when they are bored and need some form of distraction

·         Curiosity:  Let’s not forget this old saying in a rush, “curiosity kills the cat.” Many teenagers are very curious and would want to try out certain things,  experimenting or wanting to take risks just for the “kicks” they get out of it.

• Psychological or Physical Pain: this is an uncomfortable sensation or feeling and in order to escape from psychological or physiological pain, most teenagers take hard drugs to forget whatever it is they are going through, and the irony of this is they keep on taking these drugs until they become addicted.
  

HERE ARE WAYS TO ASSIST IN PREVENTING DRUG USE IN TEENAGERS
There are no parenting skills or behaviors that guarantee a young person will never touch drugs. However, parents and guardians can  reduce the possibility of a young person experiencing drug problem:

·         Establish and maintain good communication with your children, the better you know your children, the easiest it is for you to guide them towards positive activities. Fostering a close and trusting relationship with your child from an early age enhance and encourage positive behavior and friendship. This can be achieved by asking questions to know what is going on with them and also sharing some personal information about your day.

• Model appropriate behavior such as drinking moderately (that is if you have to), not smoking and not using illicit drugs. Research has shown that the main reason that kids don’t use alcohol, tobacco or drugs is because of their parents and their positive influence, also because they know it would disappoint them. That is why it is so important that parents build a strong relationship with their kids and talk to them about substance abuse.
• Be a positive role model: Demonstrate reasonable ways to solve problems and manage stress without using alcohol or drugs. Always remember that you get the example you set for this kids.
• Encourage a healthy approach to life including good foods, regular exercise and sports, family time out and a vacation when you can afford one.
• Encourage your child to have more than one group of friends.
• Allow your children to take responsibility for their actions and develop good decision-making skills from an early age.
• Keep yourself informed about drugs by reading books, talking to medical practitioners and people who have had some experience with drugs.  Explain the effect of drugs on the body and the legal consequences of using drugs if caught; go as far as explaining to your child how drug use can hurt people in several ways including transmission of AIDS through shared needles.
• Talk to your teenager: Have an open and honest discussion about drugs with your children and if any of your children have tried drugs before, be honest about your disappointment, but emphasize that you still love them.
  

If you suspect or discover your child is taking drugs, the earlier you respond, the more likely you can convince that child to stop. That is why you must pay attention to changes going on in your child. There are no specific signs or behaviors that can tell you a young person is definitely using drugs. Uncharacteristic behaviors such as mood swings, a drop in school performance, different friends and a changed appearance may indicate drug use.  But they could also indicate other issues that are not drug related. If for any reason you suspect that your child is using drugs, here are some helpful tips to approach the child:

• Try not to react on your first impulse. If possible, give yourself time to think over the best way to address the issue
• Try as much as you can to resist the urge to snoop or search your child’s room or belongings for evidence, because if he/she sees you doing that, that child will become all defensive and at that point the atmosphere might be a bit tensed for you to bring up such discussion.
• Research drugs so that you have the facts on what to say and what not to say, because the truth is most of these kids get involved with  drugs without the slightest knowledge of the effect it has on their health. Monitor your child closely to see if you can get any useful information and just because you may have had one or two conversations about drug use doesn't mean that your child is changing his or her behavior. Keep tabs on what your child is doing. If rules are broken enforce consequences that might help.
• Make it a discussion rather than an interrogation: when discussing with your teenage child on such issues, raise your concerns calmly with the child when you both feel relaxed. Work through your emotions in advance so that you can remain calm. State clearly what you suspect and why and ask your child about it.
• If you find out that your child is taking drugs, don’t issue ultimatums. But set firm boundaries about what you expect about drug use. Emphasize that your home is a drug free zone and you expect  your own child to be drug free also. Make it clear that if the child continues against your wish, you will not be happy.
• Try to educate your child on the health and lifestyle risks of drugs
• You may have to accept that an older teenager will not stop taking the drug no matter what you say. In such cases you should seek professional help, the sooner you and your child can get help, the easier it will be to solve a drug problem; the longer you wait the harder it gets.
• If your child gets into trouble with the police or has to go to court, support them but let them cope with the consequences such as paying their own fines even if it means doing odd jobs in order to  foot the bill, that will serve as a lesson to them.

  This article is provided for educational and information purposes. It is advisable to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to medical questions and if possible get some tips and medication on how to help teenage children who take hard substance.

                                                                                                                                By: Esther Peters

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