Addiction: Signs to Be Aware of With Your Teens
Top 8 Reasons Teens Try Alcohol and Drugs:
1. Peer Influence: Teens are influenced by their social surroundings. They see their parents and other adults drinking alcohol, they see celebrities endorsing smoking or vaping and sometimes, trying other substances. At times friends can urge one another to have a drink or smoke pot, and in their minds, they see drug use as a part of the normal teenage experience.
2. Popular Media: 45% percent of teens agree with the statement: “The music that teens listen to makes marijuana seem cool.” And 45% of teens agree with the statement “Movies and TV shows make drugs seem like an ok thing to do.” So be aware of the media that your child is consuming and talk to them about it.
3. Escape and Self-Medication: When teens are unhappy and can not find a healthy outlet for their frustration or a trusted confidant, they may turn to chemicals for solace. Depending on what substance they are trying, they may feel blissfully oblivious, wonderfully happy or energized and confident.
4. Boredom: Teens who have trouble keeping themselves occupied or crave excitement can be candidates for substance use.
5. Rebellion: Teens often rebel as a form of attention seeking behavior or independence. Often times substance abuse is the factor of lost trust in many parent/teen relationships.
6. Instant Gratification: Drugs and alcohol work quickly. The initial effects feel really good. Teenagers turn to drug use because they see it as a shortcut to happiness.
7. Lack of Confidence: Many shy teenagers who lack confidence report that they will do things under the influence of alcohol or drugs that they might not otherwise.
8. Misinformation: The most avoidable cause of substance use is inaccurate information about drugs and alcohol. Nearly every teenager has friends who claim to be experts on various recreational substances, and they are happy to assure them that the risks are minimal. Remember to educate your teenagers about drug use, so they get the real facts about the dangers of drug use.
If you think your child is using, focus the conversation on safety and drug use. Talk about how you as a parent or caregiver want them to be safe, instead of focusing on punishment for drug use. Contact CYS and we can help you further asses your childs future needs in the areas of Substance and Alcohol abuse.
Most importantly, remind your teen they are not alone. Contact CYS today for more advice on how to talk to your teen, counseling and other services please call:
(949) 303.9016