How to help a teenager with Addictions?

The adolescence It is a complicated stage both for the person who lives it and for those who are close. The adolescent struggles to gain independence from him but at the same time, he needs to feel supported by his parents. It is a time of many changes, confusions and ups and downs that not even the young man himself is capable of adequately assuming. To all this, we must add that the brain is in the process of maturing and therefore focuses on short-term rewards and is more prone to immerse themselves in high-risk behaviors.

It is common for addictive behaviors to begin in adolescence due to the immaturity of the frontal cortex, an area of ​​the brain that plays an important role in making decisions. With this impaired ability, it is not surprising that adolescents do risky things, such as having unprotected sex, driving dangerously or using addictive substances. The big problem is that drugs during youth can interfere with brain development processes. In fact, it has been studied that drug abuse in youth can contribute to the development of problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

In those cases where the adolescent already consumes addictive substances, it is common for the parents to feel that the burden of care falls on them. Many times, parents don't know how to act in the situation and feel completely overwhelmed. The question of how can I help my son get out of drugs? It is the first thing that comes to mind and it is difficult to find adequate answers. Therefore, in today's article, based on the opinion of experts on the subject, we will talk about how to help a teenager with addictions.

• Related article: "The 4 keys of Parenting to prevent Addictions in children"

What do I do if my child takes drugs?

exist six fundamental steps to follow when we suspect or are certain that our child is taking drugs:

• Act calm. Don't be impulsive or overly dramatic.
• Look for information.
• Don't hide the problem.
• Seek support from the people closest to you.
• Talk to your child openly.
• Find healthy habits.
• Much love, closeness and discipline (well explained and justified)

How can you help a teenager get off drugs?

Follow these guidelines to help your son or daughter through the ordeal of dealing with addiction.

1. Establishes open, affectionate communication

It is important to build a trusting relationship with your child where you can talk about issues that connect with him. It is important to verbalize our pride (academic, personal) towards them and express our love. Once you get a strong bond is when you can start talking about feelings of concern about certain behaviors and you can ask about possible addictive habits of him.

In case you confirm it, it is essential ask a professional for help. Do not hesitate, do not think that the problem is going to disappear or that your child can cure itself. The sooner you start dealing with this issue, the more likely it will not become an addiction.

In case he denies it, you must continue to create that climate of trust with him so that little by little he can feel supported and thus comment on his addiction. Ask him about his day, make plans that he likes, and try to spend as much time as possible with him.

• You may be interested in: "The 12 basic communication skills"

2. Show support beyond words

Do not throw in the towel and show him that you are there for what he needs, no matter what. Practice active listening when the adolescent opens up and communicates their emotions, thoughts, concerns, ideas, etc. Don't confuse showing support with being part of the self-delusion of addiction. That is to say, don't downplay his addictive behavior and don't fall for his false sense of control. You have to find a perfect balance between helping him and listening to yourself.

3. do not blame

You cannot preach to a drug-addicted child, make comparisons, expose your expectations about what what you expected of him, continually bring up the subject of drugs, accuse him directly or make him feel guilty. All this, instead of motivating change, will cause frustration and anger that will lead us to the opposite path of what is desired. Keep in mind that the adolescent when feeling negative emotions, s will resort even more to drugs as an escape route and we will make the ball get bigger and bigger.

4. Clearly mark the boundaries

It is common for a drug addict to become aggressive and therefore steal, insult or attack the people around them. In this situation, it is important to show that we are the authority figure in the home and that he cannot pass over us. It is important to clarify that it is not useful to pay them with the same currency. In other words, we cannot buy ourselves with the addicted person, nor respond to his acts with the same behaviors that he is incurring as a result of his addiction.

In the same way, remain firm and do not give in to their blackmail for fear that the situation will explode further. You must learn to say "no" and continue in that position. It is vital that the adolescent understands that there are limits and, above all, that they must be respected. Remember that many times the lack of limits is what has led the adolescent to have addictive behavior.

5. Promotes awareness of their own actions

Allow your son to take responsibility for the decisions he has been making throughout his life. Do not cover up his irresponsibility, do not cover it up or make up for it, since with this you only manage to become his accomplice and make his situation worse. It is important that the adolescent do an introspection exercise to realizing the why behind their risky behaviors.