How to know that a child is a drug addict?
How to know that a child is a drug addict?
The first try with drugs takes place “for company”. Curiosity, the influence of the environment and the friends with whom the child communicates push him in this way to gain recognition in desired society. Unfortunately, even after the first use, severe complications and mental disorders can occur.
Family problems, lack of parental attention, problems in study, interpersonal conflicts, parental overprotection, emotional deprivation (rejection by parents) and the status of a “Cinderella” or “scapegoat” in the family are the main reasons for a child to become addicted. The child does not feel comfortable and calmness in the family, so he tries to satisfy the need for relaxation and a good mood through chemical means. Those who distribute drugs present them to the child in a less dangerous and more desirable form, promising him new feelings, “disconnection” from reality and escape from troubles. “I will try it myself and understand what they are,” the teenager says to himself.
The important thing is that teenagers are not able to cope with problems on their own. At the same time, the child also cannot distance himself from the situation, so he looks for ways to avoid problems - this is the illusion which drugs give.
Signs of Teen Drug Use
There is medical diagnosis that can detect drug use. This is a psychological and pedagogical diagnosis, through which each parent can independently catch the very first signs of a teenager moving towards the use of psychoactive substances. It was compiled by Frank Pucelik, the author of publications about developments in psychotherapy and drug addiction rehabilitation among youth. Based on observations conducted in a rehabilitation center for adolescents, he identified the “difficult seven” indicators: changes in behavior patterns, clothing, school performance, range of interests and leisure activities, an increased need for privacy, the finding of a reference group, changes in patterns of sleep and wakefulness. Each of these signs are indicators of deviation from normality; using them, parents can identify signs of drug use in their children.
Indirect signs: frequent absences of the child from home without explanation; atypical and frequent lies; a sharp change in social circle, change in lifestyle, habits; disappearance or sharp decline in interest in family affairs; sudden changes in mood, dominance of irritability, anger; sleep disorders; money or things beginning to disappear from the house. A teenager sometimes looks like a person in a state of intoxication but does not smell of alcohol.
It is worth paying attention to medications that the teenager uses, to bags of substances of unknown origin in his bag, pieces of foil, strange devices (ballpoint pens without refills, smoked spoons, plastic bottles with holes, etc.) which clearly have nothing to do with design or fine art.
To be continued...
