The Real Story on Alcohol and Drugs

Addiction is a deeply personal struggle. Individuals become dependent on drugs or alcohol for vastly different reasons. Sadly, teenagers who suffer from drug addiction or alcoholism near Fort Lauderdale and do not enter rehab are significantly more likely to deal with serious problems with their educations, careers, and relationships as adults. If your teen is struggling with alcohol or drug use, make sure you know how to deal with the problem to ensure a positive future. Keep reading to learn some key facts about alcohol and drugs.

Most Teens Do Not Use Drugs

While some parents mistakenly believe that drug use is a simply a rite of passage that all teens will experience and outgrow, the truth is more complicated. While nearly 45 percent of all 12 th graders have used marijuana, only 6 percent use it on a daily basis. By comparison, only 4 percent of all 12 th graders have used cocaine, and less than 1 percent have tried heroin. If your teen is one of the relative few who is using drugs, he or she is likely to be struggling with drug abuse.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Usually Has Psychological Roots

When teens use drugs or alcohol, they are usually trying to cope with uncomfortable internal feelings. Teens may feel isolated and rely on substances to deal with feelings of depression or anxiety. They may also feel insecure or suffer with low self-esteem. In that case, teens use drugs or alcohol to try to fit in. Unfortunately, addiction can quickly set in.

Rehab Can Help End Dependency Before It Becomes Addiction

Teen substance abuse does not disappear on its own. Only support from family and friends and a comprehensive rehab program that targets mental health issues can truly help end drug or alcohol dependency before it turns into dangerous addiction. If your teen’s drug or alcohol use has started to affect his or her grades, social life, and relationship with you, it is time to consider rehab.

Tips for Listening to Your Teen

If your teen is suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism in Fort Lauderdale, you may feel understandably frustrated. It is completely natural for parents to feel overwhelmed, sad, and even angry. However, it is important to remember that your teenager needs your love and support as he or she enters rehab. Support from family and friends is essential to overcoming any addiction. Simply listening to your son or daughter is a key part of understanding his or her struggle. Below you’ll see a few strategies that can help you communicate more effectively with your teen during and after the recovery process.

Foster Safe Environment

Fostering a safe space is the best way to get your teen to open up about addiction or alcoholism. If your teen is struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, he or she may feel understandably anxious about being punished. Instead of threatening your teen, create a safe space. Before beginning any conversation about drugs or alcohol, tell your son or daughter that you will not be discussing rules or discipline. Instead, tell your children that you are just there to listen, and there will be no disciplinary repercussions.

Ask Good Questions

Listening to your teenager talk about alcohol or drug abuse also involves asking good questions. If you simply sit silently, he or she may feel embarrassed—or as though you do not understand the situation. Even if your teen simply wants to vent, nod encouragingly throughout the conversation. When you do ask questions, calmly ask how he or she feels about losing friends, struggling at school, or having a hard time at home. Never attempt to speak for your teen or assume you know the answers to these questions.

Remove All Distractions

To encourage your teen to share, make sure to turn off your smartphone before beginning any conversation. If you are constantly interrupted by calls from your spouse, other siblings, or the office, your teenager will feel as though he or she has no support in the struggle with drug abuse or alcoholism.

Educate Your Teen on Drugs and Alcohol

Teen recovery in Fort Lauderdale is possible for any teenager suffering from addiction. However, to prevent substance abuse from occurring to begin with, it is important to educate your son or daughter about drugs and alcohol.

Rehab is an option for anyone struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction, including teens. But it is important to remember that the road after rehab is always a struggle. Recovering alcoholics and drug addicts often have to battle temptation for the rest of their lives. To make sure your teen has a healthy, productive, and happy life, make sure you educate your son or daughter about drugs and alcohol early on. Your teenagers should always know when and how to stop drinking. Drinking as a teenager is incredibly risky, as teens are more likely to abuse alcohol. Teenagers do not know how much they can drink at once—and are also more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors like drinking and driving. Teenagers’ brains are still changing, and drugs and alcohol can wreak havoc on their brain chemistry and growing bodies. When substance abuse begins during the teenage years, it is also much more likely to persist into adulthood. Having a conversation with your teen to share these facts can prevent the cycle of addiction and ensure a lifetime of good physical and mental health.

Peer Pressure and Drug Use

Drug addiction near Fort Lauderdale is often perpetuated by a group of people who indulge in the same bad habits. As you will learn in this video, peer pressure is an especially serious problem when it comes to drug abuse among teens.

Addiction can easily happen when drug abuse is encouraged by a teen’s close friends. Teens often begin experimenting with drugs or alcohol because their friends use substances to ease the discomfort of social situations—or simply to rebel. Without intervention at the right time, drug abuse can quickly spiral into addiction.