Do you Think your Teen is on Drugs? part 2
So you ask your teen about drug use. Now what?
Let’s say your teen tells you that they have been smoking pot (marijuana) with friends after school. They have done ecstasy on a few occasions, but nothing regular. They don’t think this is a big deal. After all, it’s just pot.
Now what do you do? Maybe you smoked some pot in college and you too feel it is no big deal.
The views on drugs were completely different in the sixties and seventies. Furthermore, we simply did not know a lot about drugs back then. Today, we have the advantage of research and experience. If you were to only observe the average life expectancy of the rock stars of the sixties and seventies, the effects of drugs and alcohol have indeed taken their toll; Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Keith Moon and Elvis Presley are a testament to the fact that life is significantly shortened with drug use.
Today, we recognize that not only do drugs shorten one’s life, but they alter the quality of life as well. For teens, this is even more important because their brain is in the process of making neurological connections that lay the foundation for future complex thought and emotions. By damaging the potential for these connections, these teens continue to grow physically, but remain as teens in their brains. Once they stop the drug use they find themselves STILL having to learn basic skills that will make them appear immature and socially awkward to their adult peers. This would be frustrating to anyone, but especially a young adult with limited coping skills and resources.
Facts about marijuana include:
- You can become addicted to marijuana.
- Marijuana is the most common drug abused by teens after prescription drugs and alcohol.
- Marijuana effects short term memory which is important for learning things long term
- Marijuana changes the way your body moves. This is especially challenging for an athlete.
For more information about marijuana, check out NIDA for parents.
A drug is a drug
Please take all types of use seriously. Marijuana in and of itself may not be enough to impress you, but your teen’s willingness to use marijuana and associated behaviors will give you information about red flags to get you motivated to get help. The earlier help is sought the better the chance you have to help your teen.
Next time the discussion will be on red flags to look out for. So, if you still haven’t been motivated to seek help, perhaps specific things to look for will get you in action mode.
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