While it is important for moms and dads to do all they can to warn their children about the trap of teen substance abuse, there are situations where a son or daughter will make foolish choices that lead quickly down the path of addiction.
"Phil and Brenda Fisher were good parents who raised their son Steve in a Christian home. Shortly after his fifteenth birthday, Steve didn't seem to be himself. Phil assumed that Steve was struggling with the normal changes of adolescence. Steve continually shrugged off his father's attempts to get him to open up and talk about what was happening in his life. Because they knew that Steve, like all other teenagers, wasn't immune from the pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol, they made themselves aware of the warning signs. After confronting Steve with hard facts, he admitted to a growing dependence on marijuana. They were able to get Steve help and love him back to health. Ignorance to the warning signs would have been disastrous."
Like the Fishers, every christian parent, minister and church member should be aware of potential teen substance abuse warning signs. A combination of several signs warrants immediate attention. Let's confront our teens and take action before addiction occurs. Ignorance to the warning signs may become disastrous.
Tired of wondering if your child or teen is using drugs, alcohol or nicotine?
Four Signs of Sudden Changes in Behavior
When your child or teen is behaving differently, check for signs of drug use
Behavioral signs. While unexplained and sudden changes in behavior are typical during adolescence, an increase in negative behaviors can be a clear indicator of substance abuse. Your teen's obvious behavioral clue is the change in attitude towards school. Normally a good student's grades will drop dramatically. Your teen may also cut-classes or become aloof and uninterested.
Social Signs. It's a given that teenagers spend increased amounts of time with friends and less time with their parents. If you and your teen have been close in past, you may notice an abrupt withdrawal from your relationship. Your teen may become affiliated with a less than socially approved circle of close friends.
Physiological Signs. Drug and alcohol abuse always leave "footprints" on a person's appearance. Check for red eyes and sleepiness. These may be clear indications that something is amiss.
Obvious Signs. It's easy for parents who hope the best for their children to overlook the behavioral, social and physiological signs by fooling themselves into believing that nothing's wrong. But arrest, intoxication, or discovery of drug paraphernalia are obvious signs that a teenager has a drug or alcohol problem.
Drug Abuse Has Reached the Christian Home
Parents, we may not realize just how available illicit drugs are to our children. We may not realize just how young our children are when they begin to experiment with alcohol and drugs. Statistics we learn about can be sobering, and can alert us to having the need to communicate with our children more about the dangers of substance abuse to help them develop strategies to cope with peer pressure. But if we deny that we have a problem living within our household, we do our children an injustice.
In the 2000 approximately 13 percent of youths aged 12to17 reported past month use of cigarettes, and more than 4 percent reported smoking daily during the past month. These percentages translate to approximately 3 million past month smokers, including almost 1 million daily smokers among youths.
In 2000, more than 2 million youths aged 12 to 17 reportedusing inhalants at least once in their lifetime.
Across the country, teens and young adults enjoy all-night dance parties known as "raves" and increasingly encounter more than just music. Dangerous substances known collectively as club drugs-including Ecstasy, GHB, and Rohypnol-are gaining popularity. These drugs aren't "fun drugs" - they are "club drugs".
Don't ignore the problem any longer. Get the help you and your teen may need.
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