Do you suspect your teen has been experimenting with drugs? Perhaps you’ve already found drugs and alcohol and know it’s a fact. As a parent, you want to help your child, but it’s not easy knowing the most effective way to make a difference.
“Parents often try a number of different methods to combat their teens’ drug and alcohol use, but often it results in a dead end,” says Dr. Robert Meyers, creator of the CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) approach and co-developer of Parent CRAFT, which adapts this approach for parents. “There comes a point when parents need help so they can provide the most effective guidance and support possible.”
Meyers says there are five common signs that indicate you need help addressing your child’s drug and alcohol use.
Sign #1. You no longer communicate with your child
You used to be very close to your child and now you’re ignored or faced with short, cold responses. If your child avoids answering your questions and you find it difficult to communicate without becoming emotional, you need help learning important skills to keep your relationship open and strong. Here are some tips for building stronger two-way communication with your child.
Sign #2. Your relationship with your partner is suffering
When kids use drugs, it weighs heavily on the entire family. Do you argue with your spouse about the problem? Does the stress of drugs in your home cause you to act negatively around your partner? Does your child’s drug and alcohol problem leave little time for other important family activities? If yes, it’s a sign you need help.
Sign #3. You have difficulty focusing at work
When home life is stressful, it affects all aspects of life. Long nights waiting up for your child to come home mean little rest before work. Worrying about your child’s health can cause you to lose focus and be less productive at your job. If your career is suffering due to your child’s drug and alcohol use this is a strong indicator that it’s time to search for help.
Sign #4. You don’t approve of the kids your child is hanging around
Friends will come and go throughout your child’s life, but it’s important that he chooses to hang out with good influences. If your child’s core group of friends has recently changed and you don’t trust the new kids, it can be difficult but this is an important sign that your child is using drugs or alcohol, or will be using them soon. Learn more, “Drugs: Are Your Teen’s Friends a Bad Influence?”
Sign #5. Your worry is affecting your health
Ongoing worries and chronic stress about your child’s drug and alcohol use can cause headaches, depression, weight loss or weight gain. Stress affects the immune system so you get sick more easily and for longer durations. In order to help your child, you need to be as healthy as possible. If your health is deteriorating, it’s time to get help so you and your child can be well again.
If you’ve experienced any or all of these signs, help is available. Parent CRAFT is an online skills training program designed to help parents communicate effectively, strengthen bonds and change drug and alcohol behaviors of their teen or young adult.
Visit www.cadenceonline.com for more information on the interactive online course, which includes videos and quizzes, to learn important skills that you can apply immediately if you have a teen or young adult using drugs or alcohol.
