Drugs are becoming more prominent in everyday life, from what we watch on television to the huge crisis across many countries in the western world.
Across the UK more and more young people are seeking help with the likes of opioids and cocaine, with parents having to turn to cocaine rehab and treatment centres to get their young one’s lives back on track.
Exposure to drugs is bigger than ever before, and more parents are getting worried about their own children experimenting or, worse, getting hooked on them, potentially destroying the rest of their lives if they don’t get help.
But what exactly do you do if you find drugs on your child or teenager? Well, there are lots of actions you can take, while there are also plenty you shouldn’t!
So, if the worst thing does happen, here are five things you SHOULDN’T do when it comes to finding drugs on your child…
Don’t React with Anger or Judgment
First and foremost, the way you react is so important. Naturally, you will feel all manner of emotions from anger to frustration, fear to empathy. You may want to hit the roof and highlight just how angry and disappointed you are. However, responding in such a way can shut down communication and make resolving the situation incredibly difficult.
It’s important not to show judgement or shame, but be balanced, understanding and calm in your approach, which will encourage them to open up and you can make positive choices moving forward.
Don’t Ignore the Problem
You may wish to downplay the problem, maybe even turn a blind eye as you may see it only as kids experimenting. You may have been exactly the same. However, ignoring it could cause a bigger problem and lead down a pathway of addiction or troubles with the law.
Open a dialogue with your teenager quickly to understand their own perspective and get a full view of the situation.
Don’t Jump to Conclusions or Accusations
Following on from that and another reason to establish the full view of the situation is avoiding making accusations or jumping to any conclusions about their behaviour, particularly if it’s solely based upon finding drugs.
Drug use is a complex situation and it may even be that they haven’t actually used them and you’ve discovered them early. It could be a result of peer pressure, mental health issues or a variety of other reasons.
Approach the situation with an open mind and have an honest conversation to gather more information on their experiences and feelings.
Don’t Handle the Situation Alone
Taking on the responsibility of dealing with your teenager and a potential drug problem can be overwhelming and incredibly challenging on your emotions and own mental state. Don’t tackle this alone. It may be that you have to speak to your teen alone, and deal with them, but have your own support network to utilise for support and guidance.
Alternatively, bring friends, family members and school counsellors in for added support when speaking to your child. This will help you navigate the situation more effectively, emphasise a lot more strongly of the concern others also have for your child, as well as giving them the help they need.
Don’t Delay Seeking Professional Help
Finally, don’t delay on getting them the help they need. Drug use can be a ticking time bomb and lead to all manner of problems. Seek out professional help, whether it be a rehab centre, counsellor or a charity specialising in teenage drug issues. These can provide valuable guidance and highlight the options for your teenager to get the help they need and ensure they live the best and healthiest life moving forward.
Early intervention is crucial, and what’s important to note is that many teenagers who have been through drug problems have gone on to have healthy, happy and successful lives.
