What to Do If You Find Drugs in Your Child’s Room?
Parents shouldn’t aggressively confront their children after finding drugs in the house. The first thing you need to do as a parent is to learn how to best approach this issue. We will discuss the following topics:
- What to do if you find drugs in your child’s room?
- Facts about teen drug addiction in LA
- How do drugs affect the teenage brain?
- What are the problems that parents face when a teen is addicted?
- How do rehab centers help parents motivate kids for addiction treatment?
- Other things to do when you find drugs in your child’s room
- What should you never do after finding a substance in a teen’s bedroom?
- Where can your teen hide drugs?
- Conclusion
1) What to Do If You Find Drugs in Your Child’s Room?
Read articles and guides on how to approach your child best
As a parent, your initial reaction might be to confront your children, punish them, and use hurtful words. Instead, pause for a moment. Stay calm. If you are not well-informed of how to approach your children, you can ruin your relationship. Inhale. Exhale. Read on.
Approach and Talk To Them Respectfully
You must have a parent-to-child talk. Sit down and have a transparent and respectful conversation. Figure out what they are using, when they started to use it, dosage and times of use, and why they do it. Do not forget the “why.” Your children’s reason for using is the key to connecting with them. Make them feel heard and understood. Avoid being defensive and excessive rebuttals if you want your child to talk to you more.Listen. Do not talk until your child is done sharing their thoughts. From there, see the good in the bad. Be extra patient and understanding. After hearing their side of the story, proceed to the next step. If you think your teenager is smoking weed, look for the signs of marijuana use in teens.
Share Your Own Experiences
Share a relatable story and experience of drug use. Tell your child about your “what, how, and why.” Then talk about the consequences and reasons why you don’t want them to use drugs. Ask them, “How do you want me to help?” “Do you want me to have a regular talk with you?” “Do you need moral or financial support?” “Do you need time alone or more time with our family?” After they answer, follow up on your promises. Do not overpromise, and do not endanger your children’s trust in you.
Observe Early Signs of Drug Abuse, Like:
- Aggressive and irritable most of the time
- No interest in their favorite activities
- Oversleeping
- Changing friends
- Bloody and watery eyes
- Massive weight loss
- Irresponsible or irrational
If you observe any of these signs, discuss drug usage. Try your best to stay calm and never shout at them. You have to figure out the root cause. If you think that the situation is out of control and the addiction is no longer tolerable, then it’s time to seek professional help. If you’re wondering where to send troubled teenagers, there are specialized programs for troubled teens that can assist.
Seek Professional Help
Addiction specialists, rehabilitation centers, and drug abuse consultants might need to intervene. We offer free and confidential consultations to help you. If you think your teen might need a solution to drug addiction, teen drug rehab, Adolescent Intensive Outpatient, or perhaps the best adolescent residential treatment centers in California, contact us, and we’ll help you navigate these waters. We’re an adolescent rehab that accepts insurance right here in Los Angeles CA.
Take a deep breath and bear in mind that you and your child are going to conquer this together. We have helped hundreds of adolescents and families since 2015 and have an industry leading therapist recommended teen treatment program located in Malibu California.
Find The Best Teen Drug Addiction Treatment
At Key Healthcare, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to helping parents and families. We will address your children’s issues with evidence-based teen addiction treatment. If you think your child is using drugs, talk to us before you confront them. Understanding the best approach on how to speak with your child can protect your relationship. When you’re ready, we can coordinate a solution with you.
2) Facts About Teen Drug Addiction In Los Angeles
- Teenage drug use is a massive public health issue since 1-in-8 teens are using illicit drugs
- 86% of teenagers are familiar with smokers, drinkers, or drug users in school
- 50% of adolescents have consumed drugs at least once in their lives
- 43% of students in college use illicit drugs
- 62% of teenagers have abused alcohol by the 12th grade
- 61% by the 8th grade
3) How Do Drugs Affect The Teen Brain?
- Poor decision-making and judgment
- Intensive excitement but no effort towards activities
- Pessimism
- Impulsive and harmful behaviors
- Cannot control or hold back emotions
- Interferes with the cell’s development and the brain’s function
- Hinders the brain’s neurotransmitters and dopamine (feel-good/pleasure signal) release
- Seeks pleasurable acts without considering consequences
- Damages brain connections and sends unwanted messages to the neural circuit
4) What Are The Problems That Parents Face When a Teen is Addicted?
- Stress
- Worries
- Missed responsibilities
- Untoward behavior
- Life-threats, and possibly dealing with death
5) How Do Teen Rehab Centers Help Parents Motivate Kids For Addiction Treatment?
Outpatient care is the best way to deal with children suffering from drug abuse. This gives them the freedom to be at home after counseling and meetings and spend time with their parents. However, this freedom has a lesser threshold of accountability. Drug abuse may continue if the protocols are not properly followed. This does not typically occur in an inpatient program, where a child is in the care of professionals all day in a monitored environment.
6) Other Things To Do When You Find Drugs in Your Child’s Room
- Take a moment to breathe
- Calmly confront the teen about your finding
- Listen to them without being judgmental
- Try to convince them to accept professional help
- Keep an eye on their day-to-day activities
- Talk to their friends and try to change who they spend time with
- Check how much money they are spending
7) What Should You Never Do After Finding Drugs in a Teen’s Bedroom?
- Do not show anger, frustration, or disappointment
- Do not ignore the issue
- Do not hesitate to talk about substance abuse with them
- Do not get too strict with them
- Do not lecture them about morals, ethics, or religion
8) Where Can Your Teen Hide Drugs?
- Backpack
- Pen and highlighters
- Hollowed out books
- Food packages and wrappers
- Personal hygiene or cosmetic products
- Cans and canisters disguised as regular products
- Inside wall vents
- Dresser drawers
- Inside game consoles
- Toilet bowl
9) Conclusion
The main cause of teens’ drug use begins with inadequate parent-to-child relationships. Follow up by being open and honest. It takes a simple parenting guide to help you stay connected with your sons and daughters. Failing to do so can lead to drug abuse. If that happens, resort to the steps we provided you. We wish you the best with your children! Please let us know if we can help. We can do this together.
