If a family has got it right, and there is mutual respect and harmony between parents, and their children, and between the children in a family – it is very unlikely to be found that the parents do drugs or that teens will turn to drug abuse, in preference to their families.
It is thought that the teenage years are naturally a time of intense emotions and rebellion. In fact, the negative acting out is directly caused by dysfunction in the family. The idea of a teenager having a compulsive need to “break free” of the family structure suggests, not that there is something “wrong” with the teenager, but within the family. Children who grow up with positive regard for themselves, and for the other family members, rarely, if ever want to act out in ways that displease or hurt.
Children nurtured and enabled to enjoy a range of activities which provide a sense of independence don’t have a need to go to extremes of wild behavior in order to feel free and assert their independence when it comes to the teenage years. Certainly there will, as is necessary, be a questioning of family values, and the assertion of “difference”. An ability to accept difference and the autonomy of each individual child is the hallmark of a family that is emotionally mature. Happy families negotiate – they don’t stomp, and stamp, and rage – and fly off at a tangent.
Serious problems that start to emerge in the teenage years can usually be traced back to early childhood, or traumatic life events that have not been handled as well as they might have been for the benefit of the child.
Signs of teen drug abuse are said to be such things as being sullen, failing to follow the family rules, being argumentative, dropping grades at school. Going out and not informing parents where they are, taking up new friends that don’t come around the home. The symptoms of teen drug abuse are in fact very similar to the symptoms of a child who just wants to get away and find a new “place” for himself, out of the family environment. The secrecy of the child engaged with drug abuse might reflect a need for a private life, free of parental intrusion. The shock of discovering drug abuse might just mean that the parents haven’t previously taken much interest in the child and their emotional needs.
Drug use is available because it seems to offer the bonding and the “good times”, the emotional security and relief that evidently the child cannot find within its own family and in the community.
Children are not available to the drug scene when they have positive values and regard for themselves and others in the community. The idea that addiction to any substance is some kind of disease, within the child, is an absolute furpy.
The cause of drug use is that it provides for the child a solution to emotional problems – it meets a need that is not being otherwise satisfied.
Addict help for teen drug abuse calls for immediate action – it is a cry for help. We need to be available to the child to find out what their problems are all about. Getting outside help to support the child and the family when drug use brings on a crisis is often a good response.
Holistic addict help is best because it is non-judgmental, enabling all family members to sort their issues out.
Holistic addict help also ensures that teens get drug free detox and holistic counseling to restore them to good health.
Author: National Addiction Resources
America's Best Treatment Directory
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