When you suspect your teen of substance abuse, you may initially want to ignore the problem or deny that your teen could use drugs. However, without treatment, your child could become a victim of substance use disorder. The best time to find teen substance abuse treatment is when your child first develops a problem. Long-term addictions are more difficult to overcome than those that have not lasted for years. To help your loved one recover from addiction, contact the team at Fort Behavioral Health today at 844.332.1807 to learn more about our adolescent treatment program that is specifically designed for young women.
Signs of Substance Abuse TX Parents Need to Know
First, you need to know if the symptoms that indicate your child’s drug use or something else. For instance, some signs of substance abuse, such as falling grades, could also signal a mental health problem like depression. Your child could also suffer from both a mental illness and a substance use disorder and need dual diagnosis treatment.
Common signs of substance abuse to look for include the following:
- Lack of motivation or interest
- Changing friend groups or not wanting parents to meet friends
- Mood swings
- Drug paraphernalia in their room, backpack, or purse
- Physical signs of drug use such as dilated or contracted pupils, slurred speech, memory problems
If your teen only exhibits one of the above signs, it may not mean that they have a problem with substance use. For instance, depression or hormonal changes from puberty can cause mood swings or a lack of motivation. However, the more signs of drug use that you notice in your child, the greater the chances are that they have a problem that requires help.
Get Help for Yourself First
Recognizing substance use in your child may bring uncomfortable emotions in you. Don’t try to fight teen substance abuse alone. Find help from other adults in your child’s life.
Talk to your child’s physician about your suspicions. The pediatrician may recommend drug testing. Alternatively, they may simply talk to your child about substance use since drug abuse can impact your child’s health. A physician can recommend locations in the area where your child can get help or verify the quality of recovery centers that you have under consideration.
Your teen’s school counselor or coach may also help you to determine if changes that you see in your child’s behavior also happen at school. For instance, if your child appears moody at home and has a change in sports performance, both of those pieces of evidence strengthen the likelihood of drug use.
When you talk to other adults, you will recognize that you are not alone in helping your teen to seek recovery.
Research Teen Substance Abuse Treatment Options
Research the many substance abuse treatment options. If your teen has a mental health problem, they may require a dual diagnosis program that addresses addiction and psychological issues. For those who severely abuse opioids or alcohol, they may need medically supervised detox before starting treatment.
Look for recovery centers that cater to your child’s particular needs. Ideally, you want to find a facility located nearby to allow you to remain an active participant in your teen’s recovery. Also, find a place that provides evidence-based treatment and has a team with clinicians skilled in helping people to overcome addiction.
Remain Active in Your Child’s Life During Teen Substance Abuse Treatment
When it comes to teen substance abuse treatment, the family plays a significant role in helping the child recover. Remain active and supportive as your child works toward recovery. Substance abuse treatment will present new challenges to your teen that they will need help from their family to overcome.
Connect with Fort Behavioral Health
Substance use disorders can take over lives, impacting the sufferers and their families. As a result, you should not ignore any form of addiction or similar mental health struggle in your child. You can start them in a recovery program. Getting your teen help for substance use begins with a phone call. Contact us at Fort Behavioral Health at 844.332.1807 to learn about our female-only adolescent treatment program.
By seeking teen substance abuse treatment for your child, you choose the best reactions to seeing signs of drug use in your teen. Yes, substance use can lead to long-term addictions. But, you can help your child to stop the process and live a life without that burden. Let us at Fort Behavioral Health help you and your child through our many addiction treatment programs.
