There are common signs that may indicate your child is reaching a point of addiction or substance abuse. Paying attention to these signs and getting help right away can prevent the situation from worsening and becoming more difficult to counteract. A possible or suspected addiction can be a difficult subject to bring up with your child due to the fear of ruining your relationship, but this is an essential conversation to have.
Signs of Adolescent Addiction
Noticing addiction early on can make the recovery process faster and easier to accomplish. The following signs of potential addiction are important to watch out for in your adolescent child’s behavior.
- Lack of hygiene
- Frequently missing school
- Decline in grades
- Change in a social group
- Loss of interests
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Changes in eating habits
These signs do not always mean your child is reaching the point of substance abuse or addiction. However, it is important to consider the possibility and discuss the risks of addiction with them.
Bringing Up Suspicion
If you suspect your child may be taking part in substance abuse, but do not have any form of proof, it can be intimidating to bring up. No parent wants their child to feel that they picture them addicted or suspect that behavior from them. One way to bring up the suspicion of use is to simply ask them what they have learned about these substances.
Asking simple questions regarding friends’ use of the substance or their awareness of the effects opens the opportunity for communication. If the child is abusively using substances, they may shy away from the conversation and avoid confrontation on the matter. Offering to be a safe resource for them to talk to may change their perspective on this. Many children will hide these behaviors from their parents out of fear of getting in trouble. Informing them that you are not looking for a reason to punish them but only looking to support them can ease this fear.
Outline the Risks
Talk with your child and ask if they are aware of the risks of abusing substances. Reviewing this information with them and ensuring they are aware of the decisions they are making can help them understand if they are engaging in something that could have long-term consequences. During this conversation, it is important to prevent it from coming across as a lecture. This discussion should be educational and two-sided, truly open for communication.
Encourage Honesty
Highly encourage your child to be honest with you about their behaviors, even if they feel you may be disappointed in their actions. A relationship with your child in which they feel comfortable reaching out to you with these problems is built on a great deal of trust. Try offering yourself as a resource for your child if they are ever put into a situation where they choose to use a substance and are not safe. Offer to pick them up from a party at which they got drunk or did not feel safe.
Your child driving home to avoid getting caught under the influence of a substance can end up putting them in more danger. If you are ever in a situation in which your child calls for help after abusing a substance, it is best to refrain from judgment. Pick them up, ensure they are safe, and discuss the situation further the next day. If your child feels that they can call you for help and not be put down, they are more likely to reach out for help when in a dangerous situation. The next day, you can have a follow-up discussion on the situation and talk about how to avoid it happening again, offering to look into further resources if needed.
Be an Influence
Children typically view their parents as the main examples of how their behavior in society should be, and they gain many values from the way they are raised. Discussing the risks of drugs and alcohol and keeping these substances away from the children in your household can encourage them to stay away from usage. Opening the discussion on these topics in a gentle, respectful way can help your child feel comfortable confiding in you in the future if an issue with substances were to arise.
Avoiding the conversation can have counterproductive effects. If you never inform your children of the risks of substance abuse and addiction, they may not think of it as a problem to be concerned with. Communicating with your child about the signs, risks, and long-term effects of addiction may help them avoid engaging in these activities altogether.
Discussing the risk factors of substance use and providing your child with information related to addiction can be an intimidating task, especially if you suspect your child may be involved in some of these problematic behaviors. However, this conversation could make all the difference in your child’s life. There are many things you can do as a parent to inform your child on the subject and offer support to them if they ever need it. Watching for signs of addiction can help you recognize if your child may be using substances. Informing them of these signs can help them keep an eye out on others as well. Outline the risks of drug abuse and encourage them to communicate honestly with you on the subject. Be a positive influence on the decisions they make and encourage them to come to you for help. To learn more about communicating with your children about addiction, reach out to Dream Recovery at (949) 732-1960.