August 31 each year is International National Overdose Awareness Day.
If you are a parent of a teen that you believe is experimenting with drugs or alcohol, maybe you think it is only marijuana or just a few beers — but statistics have shown we are living in a new generation that today’s substances can be more dangerous and addictive than generations prior.
The other concern is prescription medications. We have more children today diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, whereas in earlier years they were labeled troubled or simply hyper – today we have a diagnosis for them. With that comes medication that can help them. The problem is when teenagers want to abuse their prescription medications.
Studies have revealed that from prescription medication as well as some drug dealers lacing marijuana with heroin, some of our youth are getting hooked on heroin at early ages. This is not only dangerous – it’s deadly.
What is drug addiction?
Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her. Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, the brain changes that occur over time challenge an addicted person’s self-control and hamper his or her ability to resist intense impulses to take drugs. – NIDA
Get the facts on different drugs teens are using and abusing today. Visit NIDA for Teens. Being an educated parent, you will have healthier and safer teens. You must keep your lines of communication open, and continue to discuss the risks of these substances with them. Share this site with them too.
As difficult as drug addiction is for a parent to accept, it is ten times harder to lose a loved one — especially a child or teenager.
Don’t be a parent in denial
If you suspect your teen is using drugs, abusing their prescription drugs, cough syrup medicine included, reach out for help.
If you have exhausted your local resources and feel you aren’t able to help your teen at home, please contact us for more resources and options. Overdose Awareness Day, make it your day to learn more about what your teen is doing.
Faces of the new addicts, a ABC NEWS 20/20 Special.
Overdose Awareness 30 Second Ad:
Read: 5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens.
Read: Are Therapeutic Boarding Schools Effective?
Read: Where to Send My Troubled Teen.
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If you feel you have exhausted your local resources, your troubled teen is shutting down in therapy, out-patient isn’t working, please contact us for information regarding quality residential therapy.
