Adolescence is a complicated stage both for the person who experiences it and for those around them. The adolescent fights to achieve independence from him but at the same time, he needs to feel supported by his parents. It is a time of many changes, confusions and ups and downs that not even the young person himself is capable of adequately assuming. To all this, we must add that the brain is in the process of maturation and therefore focuses on short-term rewards and is more prone to engaging in high-risk behaviors.
It is common for addictive behaviors to begin in adolescence due to the immaturity of the frontal cortex, an area of the brain that plays an important role in making decisions. Having this ability altered, it is not surprising that adolescents do risky things, such as having unprotected sex, driving dangerously or using addictive substances. The big problem is that drugs during youth can interfere with brain development processes. In fact, it has been studied that drug abuse in youth can contribute to the development of problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.
In those cases where the adolescent already consumes addictive substances, it is common for parents to feel that the burden of care falls on them. Many times, parents do not know how to act in the situation and feel completely overwhelmed. The question of how can I help my child get off drugs? It is the first thing that comes to mind and it is difficult to find adequate answers. Therefore, in today’s article, based on the opinion of experts on the subject, we will talk about how to help a teenager with addictions
Follow these guidelines to help your son or daughter through the difficult experience of facing an addiction.
1. Establish open, affectionate communication
It is important to strengthen a relationship of trust with your child where you can talk about topics that connect with him. It is important to verbalize our pride (academic, personal) towards them and express our love. Once you get a strong bond, you can start talking about worried feelings about certain behaviors and you can ask about their possible addictive habits.
In case you confirm it, it is essential ask a professional for help Don’t hesitate, don’t think that the problem is going to disappear or that your child can cure himself. The sooner you start dealing with this issue, the more likely it is that it will not become an addiction.
In case he denies it, you must continue to create that climate of trust with him so that he can little by little feel supported and thus comment about his addiction. Ask him about his day, make plans that he likes, and try to spend as much time as possible with him.
2. Show support beyond words
Don’t throw in the towel and show him that you are there for whatever he needs, no matter what. Practice active listening when the teen opens up and communicates his or her emotions, thoughts, concerns, ideas, etc. Don’t confuse showing support with being part of the self-deception of addiction. That is to say, Don’t downplay their addictive behavior and don’t fall for their false sense of control You have to find a perfect balance between helping him and listening to yourself.
You cannot give lectures to a drug-addicted child, make comparisons, expose your expectations about what you expected of him, continually bring up the subject of drugs, accuse him directly or make him feel guilty. All of this, instead of motivating change, will cause frustration and anger that will take us to the opposite path of what is desired. Keep in mind that the teenager, When you feel negative emotions, you will turn to drugs even more as an escape route and we will make the ball get bigger and bigger.
4. Clearly mark the boundaries
It is common for a drug addict to become aggressive and therefore steal, insult or attack the people around him. In this situation, it is important to show that we are the authority figure in the home and that he cannot go over us. It is important to clarify that it is not useful to pay them in the same currency. In other words, we cannot agree with the addicted person, nor respond to his actions with the same behaviors that he is engaging in as a result of his addiction.
Likewise, stay firm and do not give in to their blackmail for fear of the situation exploding further. You must learn to say “no” and continue in that position It is vital that the adolescent understands that there are limits and, above all, that they must be respected. Remember that many times the lack of limits is what has led the adolescent to engage in addictive behavior.
Allow your child to take responsibility for the decisions they have made throughout their lives. Do not cover up his irresponsibility, do not cover it up or cover it up, as this will only make you become his accomplice and worsen his situation. It is important for the adolescent to do an introspection exercise to Realize the why behind your risky behaviors
