Adolescent Substance Abuse
I often hear parents tell me how difficult it is to raise a teenager today. The challenges faced by
teens are enormous. There is reason for concern when we hear about the growing evidence that
the overall rate of problem behavior, rates of violence among children and the use of drugs in
adolescence are increasing. While most teenagers who experiment with drugs do not go on to
become drug addicts as adults, even casual use is very risky and can have negative
consequences.
A commonly asked question is “what causes teenagers to have drug problems?” The answer is
that there is no single cause. Drug use among teens develops over a period of time. The path
from initial experimentation to full blown addiction can involve a number of factors and may
include:
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Family conflict;
Lack of parental supervision;
Exposure to drug involved friends;
Parental drug use;
Ineffective communication between parents and teens; and
Inconsistent or excessive discipline.
There are also a number of individual risk factors that are important to look for. These include:
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Poor impulse control;
Emotional instability;
Sensation seeking;
Belief that drugs are used by many teens or that there is minimal harm; and
Exposure to traumatic event.
Parents are the most effective deterrent to drug use by adolescents. How do parents recognize
that their teen is experimenting or may be more deeply involved with drugs? The most obvious
signs are dramatic changes in appearance, friends or physical health. Here are some other
things to watch for:
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Increased behavior problems and poor academic performance;
Discovery of drug paraphernalia;
Lying about whereabouts;
Changes in eating, mood or sleeping patterns;
Changes in personal hygiene;
Changes with peer group;
Emotional distancing or isolation; and
Physical cues such as bloodshot eyes, smell on breath and clothing, weight loss,
frequent runny nose or sore throat.
There are 2 factors that are almost always present with a teens drug use:
1. Opportunity – If a child has some exposure, whether to older friends, neighbors,
or adults who you are not familiar with and you suspect they could be drug
involved, check it out. Work to reduce opportunity!
2. Invisibility – Kids that believe that no one is watching or no one is talking, are
likely to get involved with risk-taking behavior like drug use. Keep your eyes
open, let them know that privacy is not open for discussion when it comes to
your concerns about drugs, and that unrestricted access to the computer will
happen when they live in their own home.
The earlier parents seek help for their teen’s drug problem, the better. It may be necessary to
ask for outside help. Your teen’s school counselor is an excellent first step. There are also
a number of community resources available. Listed below are programs that support parents in
addressing these concerns.
The Denton ISD Student Assistance Program – 369-0280
Sharp Focus Counseling – 381-5010
The Counseling Center of Denton – 382-5328
University Behavioral Health – 320-8100
Families Anonymous – 382-4605 or 383-2204
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hotline – 1-800-252-6454
Alanon – 387-7237 or 566-4985
Pinnacle Labs for urine drug screens – 898-1787
Also, visit the Denton ISD Counseling Services website for more helpful information.