3 Things You Can Do to Help Your Teen Who Has a Substance Abuse Problem

Substance abuse has become progressively prominent nowadays; even young teens sometimes succumb to alcohol and drug abuse. If you are the parent of a teen who has a substance abuse problem, you may be frustrated with the situation. However, there are things that you can do to help. Here are a few of them:

Listen to your child.

Substance abuse problems often stem from the need to self-medicate due to uncomfortable emotional issues. Sometimes, a teen may be experiencing uncomfortable situations at school, such as bullying, which may cause the young person to feel the need to escape his or her circumstances. By listening to your child, you can gain a better understanding of what he or she is dealing with. In addition, you can work with your child to help them establish alternative ways to deal with the psychological pressures the teen may be feeling.

Get professional help.

As you work with your child, it is wise to secure the help of medical professionals. Allowing your child to go through psychotherapy can help reveal issues that your child may find difficult to discuss or confront.

Additionally, since the professional is not a family member, your child may be more apt to discuss problems openly.

In addition to psychological help, it may be necessary to obtain medical assistance from your child's physician. Sometimes, if a substance abuse problem is severe enough, your child may not be able to overcome the addiction without the aid of medications. Your child's physician can help by prescribing medicines that lessen withdrawal symptoms and other physical discomforts associated with overcoming a substance abuse problem.

Consider an inpatient treatment facility.

If your child's substance abuse problems are largely due to his or her peers or the teen's daily environment, it may be best to enroll your child in a substance abuse treatment program. During your child stay, they will not have access to the drugs or alcohol to which the youngster is addicted. In addition, some drug abuse programs, such as dual diagnosis treatment programs, address the mental aspects of substance abuse as well as the physical ones.

Many people who suffer from substance abuse are also challenged with a mental illness at the time of the abuse. Thus, by addressing all of the conditions from which your child suffers, the teen can heal more effectively.

To learn more ways to help a teen who is suffering from substance abuse, schedule a consultation with a substance abuse counselor in your area.


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