It feels like a worst nightmare, but it’s something that is becoming more and more prominent in society – catching your child with drugs!
It’s an extreme situation and one where you are likely, as a parent, to go through all manner of emotions, probably kicking off with blind rage and moving on to extreme worry. Of course, it’s something that needs to be tackled, but if it’s going to be effective it’s while you’re feeling neither of those emotions.
Unfortunately, it is becoming more of a problem in society. More teenagers are suffering with their mental health than ever before and that’s turning them to drugs as a coping mechanism in many cases rather than being arrogant, silly teenagers. It’s a worrying trend and one that’s seeing more end up in rehab than ever before.
So, what exactly do you do if you catch your teenager with drugs?
Stay Calm and Gather Information
First and foremost, it is important to stay calm. As difficult as that may be. It’s essential to stay composed and take a moment before approaching them. You need to avoid anger or blame as this could just escalate the situation further.
Instead, focus on gathering information about the extent of your child’s drug use and understand things like how often this is happening, the type of drugs involved and the risks and consequences of that.
Initiate an Open and Honest Conversation
Ultimately, you want to create a safe space for an honest conversation. This is how you’re going to get the most from your teenager and sort the situation out. Express your concerns in a calm and compassionate manner and listen to what your teenager has to say.
It may be that they were pressured or bullied into it, it may well be that they have a problem with drugs and need help. By listening and encouraging honesty you’ll get a much better idea of what’s going on and be able to tackle every scenario in a more effective manner.
Educate Yourself and Seek Professional Guidance
This is likely going to be a new experience for you and you may actually not know an awful lot about the mental, physical and legal risks of drug use. Do your due diligence and read up on it.
It may be that seeking professional guidance is the best option, while forums such as Mumsnet can even be useful for advice from other parents that have gone through exactly the same thing.
Set Clear and Consistent Boundaries
As part of your communication, you need to set clear boundaries and outline the expectations and consequences of their actions.
You need to communicate your family values and the importance of making healthier and more responsible choices. If not, there will be repercussions. Reinforce that this is for the benefit of them as well as offering encouragement and even potential rewards for hitting healthy milestones and making positive choices.
Explore Treatment and Support Options
Finally, see how you can get help. The cost of rehab is much more affordable these days and there are lots of options if you are worried about the finances around it. Explore the likes of counseling, rehabilitation and other treatment options and provide support every step of the way to ensure that they know they’re not alone and they can get their lives back on track while they still have a chance.
