What to Do if You Think Your Teen Is Using Drugs

You don’t want to admit it, but all of the signs are there. Your teen has changed the way they dress and act, their grades are dropping, new friends you haven’t met are coming around the house, and suddenly everything is a big secret that you’re not in on. You suspect your teen is using drugs, and though you may be wrong, you also may be right. Now what do you do?

Educate Yourself and Your Teen. Learn as much as you can about teen substance abuse and the health risks and possible personal, social and legal consequences. Share this information with your teen as a way to get a conversation started.

Make Your Stance Clear. Teens who know that their parents disapprove of drug or alcohol use are less likely to fall prey to peer pressure or make a poor judgment call. Make discussions about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs a regular part of your teen’s life from an early age, and be clear on where you stand. If you suspect that your teen is already using drugs, try to find out the extent of their use, show your concern and offer to get them help.

In addition to making your rules and expectations clear, listen carefully to what your teen has to say without preaching, threatening or lecturing. You don’t have to agree, but it is important to show that you are a partner in addressing your teen’s problems. Together, you may be able to identify the reasons your teen is using drugs and find a solution.

Build Your Teen’s Confidence. As a parent, you are uniquely qualified to see through destructive behaviors to find a smart, loveable child, even when your teen is trying to drive you away. Make sure your child knows that at the base of all of your concerns is deep and unconditional love, and express this love as often as you can with words, a pat on the back or a hug. The parent-child connection is what gives you influence.

Praise and positive reinforcement are excellent ways to build your teen’s sense of self-worth. If your child feels accepted by you, they are less likely to go searching for acceptance from their peers. Look for reasons to give compliments to your child rather than always focusing on the negative, and be receptive to your child’s opinions, feelings and questions.

Keep Your Teen Busy. Encourage your teen to get a part-time job, volunteer, or get involved in extracurricular activities, hobbies, clubs or sports at school. Teens who are busy having fun in healthy ways are less likely to look for excitement in drugs or alcohol and are more likely to have high self-esteem.

Talk About Peer Pressure. Get to know your teen’s friends and talk about ways to handle peer pressure to use drugs or alcohol. Practice ways to say no and suggest other things to do that don’t involve illegal or risky behavior.

Don’t Be an Enabler. As much as you love your child, you may still fall victim to denial and enabling. Parents sometimes help continue an addiction by protecting their kids from the consequences of their actions. Instead, establish clear rules and consequences and consistently enforce them. Even though it’s difficult, refuse to write excuse notes when your teen is late or absent from school and don’t bail them out of trouble.

Set a Good Example. You can’t control your teen’s actions, but you can be a positive influence in their life. As a parent, you have more influence than anyone else in your teen’s life. If you have a drug or alcohol problem, your teen is at increased risk for developing a substance abuse problem as well. Get help for your own drug or alcohol problem before if affects your teen.

Find an Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program. You’re probably not an expert on teen drug use, nor are you expected to be. If your teen is using drugs or alcohol and your attempts to intervene have been unsuccessful, you may need help from a professional.

Teen drug rehab programs can help your teen recognize the seriousness of the problem and address both their substance abuse and the underlying reasons for their drug use. Research adolescent substance abuse treatment programs and talk with your teen about the options. Let them know you care enough to get them the help they need.

Although hundreds of drug rehab programs exist, research shows the most effective programs are geared specifically to adolescents, provide long-term care and offer not only therapy and 12-Step meetings but also academics and sober recreational activities. 

Rehab high schools like SunHawk Adolescent Recovery Center in Utah combine 12-Step principles; accredited academics; individual, group and family therapy; recreation; and community service to help teens achieve lasting sobriety. Removed from the temptations and pressures at home and in public school, teens replace the negative influence of drugs and alcohol with positive influences, including supportive peers, sober activities and giving back to others. On a 24-hour a day basis, adolescents are able to focus on their recovery and put their lives back together.

Parents tend to underestimate their teen's exposure to drugs and alcohol. So if you’re concerned about drug use, you probably have reason to be. Even if your teen isn’t actively using, they may be battling peer pressure or trying hard to resist the temptation to use.

Teen substance abuse is often a cry for help that is best answered by the people who love the adolescent most. You are in a unique position to show your child there is another way and help them take the first steps toward a better life.