Preventing Addictive Behaviors in Your Teenager

Times can be tough for teenagers. Between trying to be popular, or at least not being unpopular, and having to deal with school and adolescence and all the baggage that comes with it, it is no wonder that statistics on drug and alcohol abuse among this age range is shocking.

image: male teenager in distress about his drug addiction To escape the pressures of body changes and cliques, not to mention high expectations placed by parents and other adults, teens may look for a vice.

Some may channel frustrations through video games or other activities, while sadly others turn to illegal substances.

Parenting a teen doesn't have to be intimidating.

While it may appear that young adults do not wish to listen to boring lectures, they do to some extent crave attention and praise.

By making yourself available to your teenager you can set in motion their resistance to drugs, alcohol, and/or cigarettes.

Here are a few short examples of how you can achieve this and to keep your children clean.

Preventative Measures

Talk - Like the public service ads tout, talking with your teen is one key to keeping them free of addiction. Let them know the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, and the consequences of overuse - physical, spiritual, and emotional.

Answer questions they may have and, if you are stumped on a few points, consult a professional or other resources yourself. The more you know, the more you can share.

See - Take note of everything your child does. What movies do they like? What music do they listen to? What television shows do they watch?

image: male teenager in need of drug therapy

How influenced are they by media images glamorizing drugs and alcohol, and are they aware that what is shown on TV and film may not reflect real life? Make sure your children can discern reality from fantasy in this respect.

Do and Do Not - Children learn by example, and in all likelihood if a child drinks to excess chances are it is because his/her parents did the same. Be mindful of your behavior around your teen. They are apt to emulate you as they grow older.

As parents and guardians, it is important to be aware of what your teens see, do, and say. Listen fully with your ears and your heart in order to instill good behaviors that will carry them into adulthood.

It can be very difficult to live with a family member who has a drug abuse problem. It is best not to try to control, excuse, or cover up the person's drug abuse. Instead, encourage your family member to seek treatment. If your family member does not get help, you can still get help and support for yourself.

image: rope in knots symbolizing the turmoil of addiction Stephanie Loebs is the executive director of Williamsburg Place, one of the top drug rehab clinics in the nation. Williamsburg Place aids those who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and specializes in caring for health care professionals.

For over twenty years Williamsburg Place and its joint rehabilitation center, the William J. Farley Center, have helped thousands of people from all walks of life take back their lives and overcome substance abuse.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Loebs

According to one study, four out of ten teenagers reported having friends who use drugs. Not only this, but more than a quarter said someone has tried to sell them illegal drugs. You have a problem with drugs or alcohol if you continue to use them even when they cause problems with your health, money, work or school, or relationships. You may have a problem if you have developed a tolerance to drugs or alcohol. This means you need to use more and more to get the same effect.

For men, having a goal of completely giving up drugs or alcohol also increased their likelihood of remaining in treatment. In other words, those whose goals were "moderation" or who were not committed to lifelong abstinence were much less likely to remain in the program a full year.

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Even first time users of cocaine may experience seizures or heart attacks which can be fatal. Crack cocaine can make you violent or even make you do bizarre, repetitive motions. Some users sit and repetitively draw doodles or, in severe cases, pick at themselves over and over to get imaginary bugs out from underneath their skin.

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