Talking drugs and the Treatments Required
Talking about drugs with your teen is not always easy. As parents, ask yourselves a thousand questions about the best way to inform him about the dangers of consumption. In any case, it is better to address the issue as soon as possible.
Bring up the topic
Your child will collect sometimes misleading information about drugs from friends and the media. As a parent, it is important to start the conversation on the topic on a regular basis in order to prevent it. Promote short conversations, rather than lengthy moralistic presentations. Look for opportunities to talk about illicit substance use with your teen, for example, when discussing school or current events. You could also let him choose the time and place, making him feel that he has control over the situation.
Find the right words
There is no scenario on how to approach the subject of substance use with your teenager. Know first of all that you are for him the most important model as well as his best defense against consumption. Start the conversation as soon as possible and answer questions about drugs before they are asked.
Start by preparing the big points you want to discuss. During your conversation, give the floor to your teenager, listen to him and respect his point of view. If he considers that you are listening, he will be more inclined to trust your comments.
Exposing the facts
Teens react more positively to the facts than emotional ones. Here are some facts you can share with him. Don’t hesitate to discuss treatment modalities.
Marijuana
Today’s marijuana is much more potent than it was in the past. The concentration of THC has increased from 300{f836da2089c4f6ac041f592a32b2c3a6b29da20f6bd03832a46b7a74d907c6fd} to 400{f836da2089c4f6ac041f592a32b2c3a6b29da20f6bd03832a46b7a74d907c6fd} in recent decades, resulting in many cases of toxic psychoses that can lead to permanent mental health problems. Marijuana contains several hundred substances that can affect the proper functioning of the brain and body. Some of its substances are just as carcinogenic as cigarettes. Regular, prolonged use of marijuana can impair concentration, cause memory loss, affect the ability to think and make decisions, and reduce IQ.
Prescription drugs
Psychoactive pharmaceuticals are the third most abused substance among youngs after alcohol and marijuana. Consuming prescription drugs without the approval of a doctor is dangerous, and can even be fatal.
Illicit drugs
The use of substances such as ecstasy and MDMA can lead to impaired memory and intellectual abilities as well as some behavioral disorders. Some drugs, such as cocaine, have various heart risks: heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmia), chest pain (angina) and even heart attack (cardiac arrest), which can lead to a stroke or even death. Although it varies by product, all illicit drugs can be addictive, sometimes from the first use.
