All parents may worry about the day their teen becomes involved in drugs or alcohol. Dealing with the prospect of teen addiction can feel daunting. Telling a teen that a close friend of theirs may not be the best influence can potentially push them away. Moreover, understanding the dangers of addiction and learning to recognize the warning signs of teen substance abuse can set a loved one up for a healthy future. Clearview can teach parents strategies for effectively communicating their concerns about addiction.

Warning Signs of Teen Addiction

According to Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, teen illicit drug and alcohol abuse has been well documented over the years. The results show that teen substance abuse is more prevalent than parents or guardians may expect.

Parents may overlook the signs and symptoms of teen drug use. However, there is evidence that teens can become involved in drug and alcohol use as early as sixth to eighth grade. What’s more, several studies have reported the link between substance use and teen accidents, risky sexual behavior, homicides, suicidal ideation, school dropouts, and mental health challenges.

As stated by Youth.gov, it can be difficult to differentiate addictive behaviors from typical teen habits. That is why it is imperative to become aware of the various signs of addiction. If new behaviors suddenly occur or seem extreme, it can be helpful to analyze these changes and step in as a parent to give proper guidance. Signs of drug or alcohol use in a teen to watch for might include:

  • Extreme mood shifts
  • Problems maintaining academic success
  • Suddenly spending time with new friends and keeping it a secret
  • Gradual demotivation
  • Passive-aggressive behaviors
  • Memory problems
  • A lack of concentration
  • Slurred speech
  • A run-down appearance

The Dangers of Misusing Drugs and Alcohol

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young people with substance use disorder (SUD) are at higher risk for poor health outcomes. For example, a teen with addiction may have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships, focusing on school, or succeeding at work. High-risk substance use may lead to criminal involvement, accidental injuries, school dropouts, or a tragic drug overdose. What’s more, risky behaviors involved with addiction have been proven to lead to STDs and HIV/AIDS.

Risk factors for developing a drug addiction can include:

  • Having a family history of SUD
  • Poor parental monitoring
  • Favorable parental attitudes toward risky behavior
  • Parental substance abuse
  • Family rejection of sexual orientation or gender identity
  • Association with peers who misuse substances
  • A lack of involvement in academics
  • Childhood trauma such as sexual assault, physical or emotional abuse, and/or neglect
  • Untreated co-occurring mental health conditions

Teen Addiction Statistics

According to the CDC webpage mentioned above, approximately 15% of students reported having used illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, inhalants, ecstasy, hallucinogens, and methamphetamines. Furthermore, about 14% of high school students admitted to misusing opioids. Notably, the students who reported misusing prescription drugs from peers were more likely to have a history of sexual or physical dating violence.

These statistics should not be ignored. Teen addiction often leads to a declined sense of well-being, diminished overall health, and a variety of unwanted consequences. 

Helpful Tips for Parents to Empathetically Talk to Their Daughter

Parents need to take time to discuss the risks involved with teen addiction because it can change a teen’s future. If teens understand the negative consequences involved, they may make better decisions down the road. Discussing the importance of making healthy connections and decisions can alter the course of a girl’s entire life. Having a conversation allows parents to set a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to using alcohol and other drugs.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), parents play a critical role in preventing their children from making poor decisions with drugs and alcohol. Parents need to maintain a strong and open relationship with their daughter at every stage in her life.

Teens tend to make safer decisions if they grow up in a stable, nurturing environment, with ongoing parental support. It may not feel like a teen listens well, but they do hear a parent’s concerns, which is why it is important to empathetically talk about teen addiction. A few helpful tips for discussing the risks involved with addiction include the following:

  • Set clear boundaries around substance use and partying.
  • Try to understand the reason for substance use and address the problem.
  • Share personal mistakes to help a loved one learn from them.
  • Recognize the best time to intervene.
  • Establish a judgment-free zone.
  • Participate in sober activities together.
  • Let the child know the discussion is coming from a caring place.

The Benefits of Clearview’s Parent Workshop Weekends

Many parents find it difficult to effectively communicate with their teen daughter. It is common for parents to have difficulty finding the proper balance between being a friend and a parent. Fortunately, Clearview Horizon Girls Academy provides parent workshop weekends that teach families the strategies needed to establish healthy parent-child relationships.

These workshop weekends help parents focus on providing the tools needed to increase self-awareness, improve communication, and build better relationships. Working together can improve a loved one’s mental health and decrease the risks associated with teen addiction.

At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we are not your typical boarding school. We are a high-quality Residential Treatment Center that provides superb therapy and excellent academics. Our goal is to help parents build healthy families. To this end, parents are involved in regular calls and video conferencing with their daughters and other parents. Additionally, several times a year, our therapists provide a weekend workshop for the parents of girls in our program. Those who have attended these weekends have expressed that these workshops are a blessing. These weekends provide a time of bonding and support between parents, children, and experts. If you would like to play a role in improving your teen daughter’s life, call Clearview at 866-584-4788.