Everyone knows that parenting today involves so much more attention than years earlier. Whether it is the technology, sex life starting younger, entitlement issues or even the increasing numbers teenagers turning to substance abuse to relieve their stress. Parents having stress is understandable. Stress of making the rent payment, mortgage, car, jobs, etc… Teens shouldn’t be experiencing the stress levels that seem to be growing. Does it have to do with peer pressure, bullying, cyberbullying? Stress of getting those straight A’s as colleges are getting very competitive? Dr. Michele Borba, Parenting Expert and author of over 26 books on parenting, has created a hot-list for parents with 9-quick-tips to help turn your troubled teen into a teen that believes in themselves and wants to achieve in life – without using drugs!
Tips for Parents of Troubled Teens:
1. Get savvy. Please don’t use a “Not my kid” kind of attitude. Forget the “He’s too young” or “Not my daughter!” attitude as well. Teen drinking and substance abuse
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Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse
/sub.stance/ /a.buse/
Substance abuse is defined as the use of a chemical substance that has an effect on humans or animals improperly or in a negative view or purpose.
Substances involve different types of drugs and also alcohol. The misuse of a chemical substance can be very dangerous and can be the cause of many different types of problems such as impairment and also distress.
Along with physical problems that can come from recurrent substance abuse, there are many other problems that can occur. A lack of interest in schooling and work can lead to failure fulfillment of roles and obligations in different settings of life. Also, a poor performance in daily actions can be a cause.
Substance abuse is a problem that is important to deal with in an appropriate manner. There are many different programs that are available to help fix these types of problems to rehabilitate someone’s life.
More information about substance abuse in the US
The national institute on drug abuse characterize substance abuse as, “as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting and can lead to many harmful, often self-destructive, behaviors.’
When pertaining to the adolescent brain and psyche, substance abuse and addiction is one of the most dangerous and common negative behaviors in troubled youth. Teenagers who participate in drug abuse are either not aware of the potential permanent damage they are causing themselves, or simply don’t care. It is because of this reason that parents of substance abusing teens need to seek immediate treatment for their son or daughter.
Fortunately for parents, there is a multitude and increasing number of options to choose from in terms of rehabilitation. Furthermore, parents of substance abusing teens need to seek treatment for their teens promptly.
is a growing problem that we simply can’t ignore. Kids are taking their first drink at younger ages. Drinking amongst the girl scene is also increasing. We all need to take a reality check. 2. Be a good model of restraint. Teens get their views about alcohol
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Alcohol
al·co·hol
n.noun
a colorless volatile flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel.
When ingested, alcohol can be a deadly intoxicant. Teens and adults alike are more prone to make fateful and negative choices while drinking alcohol. A deadly intoxicant, alcohol has destroyed and ripped apart the lives of millions and yet, remains to be the drug of choice of troubled teens nationwide.
Teenage minds are not yet able to fully appreciate the dangers that coincide with drinking. When drunk, teenagers commit and act out heinous activities which they would normally never commit or act out. Teenage pregnancy, driving under the influence, fighting and other consequences are more likely to occur while teens drink.
Parents of teenage boys or girls who drink occasionally or struggle with the addiction of alcohol, need to seek immediate treatment for their son or daughter.
from watching your behavior and listening to your comments. This research also is a warning that we not glamorize alcohol or say we’re using pills or alcohol as a way to unwind, “I sure could use a drink!” The research shows that teen girls in particular are getting high as a way to cope. Beware! 3. Set clear rules against drinking and drugs. Feel free to be puritanical and strict. Consistently enforcing those rules and monitor your kid’s behavior all help reduce the likelihood of underage drinking. A study of over 1000 teens found that kids with “hands on” parents who establish clear behavior expectations, monitor their comings and goings, and aren’t afraid to says no are four times less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drinking. Be a parent, not a pal. 4. Start those talks earlier and talk often. You must talk to your child about drinking and the earlier the better. Before age nine, kids usually perceive alcohol negatively and see drinking as “bad” with negative consequences
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Consequences
n. noun
con·se·quences
The Merriam- Webster dictionary provides the following definitions for consequences:
1.the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier:
The accident was the consequence of reckless driving.
2.an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome.
Consequences is a prevalent issue in the life of a troubled teen. Troubled adolescents who suffer from negative consequences, do so because of their poor decision making. Whatever choice a teenage boy or girl decides to make, a consequence of that decision will soon follow. If a teen chooses to make productive choices in life, he/she will reap the benefits of positive consequences. However, if a teen makes poor choices such as, abuse drugs and alcohol, skipping class, hanging out with the wrong crowd or disobeying parents and authority, that teen will reap negative consequences. Negative consequences such as, legal troubles, being grounded from parents, or getting kicked out of school due to inactivity or rebelliousness, are all viable and likely negative consequences a teen will experience if he or she is making poor choices.
. By around the age of thirteen kids views of alcohol, change and become more positive and harder to change. Some kids are experimenting with drinking as young as ten or eleven. It’s never too early to start this talk, so don’t put it off.