When Your Child Needs Substance Abuse Treatment

Many parents aren't willing to admit or even consider the fact that their child may become, or already is incolved in some type of substance abuse. Even more difficult than considering that their child may be experimenting or abusing some type of substance is realizing that the substance abuse may have reached the point of needing substance abuse treatment. As a parent, it is so important that you do not blame yourself for not seeing the warning signs of substance abuse in your teen or child. Many teens are very good at hiding their drug use, and since it's your child, you will most likely tend to give them the benefit of the doubt. It's also important that you don't blame yourself if you didn’t realize there was a problem until your child was in some kind of trouble or someone had to tell you that there was a problem with your child. Most of the time when parents first realize that there child has a drug abuse problem and is need of substance abuse treatment; they feel shocked and wonder what they did wrong and what they could have done differently.

The environment in schools these days, mainly in high schools, but in some cases as early as middle school and even elementary school, there is a lot of peer pressure and exposure to children and teens to try alcohol, tobacco, and many different types of drugs. The media and the influence of their friends give them the false impression that drugs are cool and in some situations a normal part of life. Everywhere you look you can find some sort of promotion for substances ranging from alcohol and tobacco advertising and marketing. Many movies, and popular music these days promote the use of drugs and alcohol and send the wrong message to kids and teens about the harm that substance abuse really can have on a person. Movies, music, websites, and all other types of advertisements are typically directed at teens, which means that the parents aren't to blame, but it's important that they do monitor what their children are watching and listening to, as well as the friends they are associating with. These days, many more parents have much less time to spend with their equally busy kids, thus leaving them with less control over how they monitor their children's activities, friendships, and other influences. Parents feel like they are not ready to guide children on serious matters like alcohol and drug abuse.

Try not to blame yourself or your child if he has a substance abuse problem. The important thing is to act now to find the best available services to help your child stop using drugs and alcohol and begin building a drug-free future.

Your child’s school may suggest a good substance abuse treatment program. If not, the school district is likely to have a substance abuse prevention and counseling program. Contact them for help. Local substance abuse or anti-drug coalitions also can refer you to treatment services. Your county’s health department probably has substance abuse services and is another good source for information. The county agency may be called “alcohol and drug programs” or “behavioral health” or may be within a “mental health services” division. A call to the county health agency’s general information number should point you in the right direction.

Talk With Your Child—It’s important to establish and maintain good communication with your child. Get into the habit of talking with your child every day.

Get Involved—It really can make a difference when you get involved in your child’s life. Young people are much less likely to have mental health and substance use problems when they have positive activities to do and when caring adults are involved in their lives.

Set Rules—Make clear, sensible rules for your child and enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences.

Be a Good Role Model—Set a good example for your child. Think about what you say and how you act in front of him.

Teach Kids To Choose Friends Wisely—Support your child’s social development. Teach your child how to form positive relationships.

Monitor Your Child’s Activities—Do you know what your child listens to and reads and how she spends time with her friends?