Are Your Teen’s Risks Too Much For You?

Your darn near perfect teen just told you they smoked pot two weeks ago. You’re wondering what is going on and is your teen now at risk for drug addiction. You know, it’s a slippery slope.

Breathe. Take a minute. Your teen has been awesome for 3 years. All of a sudden they make a judgment that you don’t approve of and you are certain they’re going to fail in life. Whoa! Let’s get a hold of ourselves.

Your teen knows you and your expectations. They know you don’t approve of behavior that involves drugs. So the bigger questions are, “Why did you smoke pot? What’s going on? This isn’t like you so something must be going on that is troubling you. What’s scaring you?” And remember, you found out because your teen told you they smoked pot. Don’t punish them for their honesty even if it is behavior you don’t approve of.

Remember, a lecture does no good because they know you well and they know your lecture almost as well as you do, but what does work is asking how you can help. Since you know you taught them better coping skills, see if there are other forms of support you think they need. Third and fourth years of high school are times that involve a lot of looming transition. That transition can be scary. However, if your teen’s risks seem outside of the range of normal, seem too high risk or life-threatening, you should refer them to mental health.

Empathy for your teen’s situation and faith that your teen has retained the lessons you instilled in them until now will get you more information about what may be going on for your teen. This is much better than becoming hysterical. No one understands a hysterical person.

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