Opioids are the name given to a large group of drugs, which includes prescription drugs like morphine and fentanyl as well as some illegal drugs such as heroin. If you have a teen in Clearwater and you’re concerned about their use of opioids and want to talk to them, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Here are some tips for talking about opioids if you’re worried about teen drug abuse.
- Be Understanding
If you want your teen to be honest and open with you about their use of drugs, it’s important to be understanding and ready to listen. If you begin a conversation and your teen feels attacked, they are less likely to share details with you or come to you for help when needed. Try to listen to your teen’s perspective and have a calm and loving conversation about drug use. There may be many reasons why your teen has been experimenting with opioids, including peer pressure, problems at school or home, or simply because they are curious. - Choose the Right Time
As well as delivering your message in an understanding way, it’s important to deliver it at the right time too. For example, avoid choosing times when there are other issues or arguments happening in the house. Avoid making it a formal or serious discussion at a set time, and instead, choose times that feel more informal and casual. Some parents choose to discuss the issue of opioids with their teens while in the car, eating dinner together, or going for a walk. - Let Them Know You’re There
It’s important that your teen knows you’re there for them if they need you. If you’re concerned about teen drug abuse, they might not want to speak to you right now, but that doesn’t mean they won’t speak to you in the future. They are more likely to seek help from their parents in the future if they are made to feel loved and understood rather than attacked and judged. Even if you don’t feel like you can do anything right now, let your teen know that you are there for them and always will be. - Educate Them About Opioids
Not all teens are well-informed about the drugs they are using, so parents may wish to take opportunities as they arise to educate their teens about opioids. For example, let them know about the side effects that are associated with drug use and abuse. Be clear about the differences between using certain opioids and abusing them. Whether you think your teen has been abusing prescription opioids from the doctor or getting them from elsewhere, giving them more information will enable them to have more details and make more informed choices in the future.
Identifying the Right Way Forward
It’s important to support your teen if you think they are abusing drugs. There are risks to abusing drugs, which is why drug testing is so popular in many industries and is sometimes used by parents too. If you’re looking for drug testing in Clearwater, you can go to Peace of Mind Drug and Background Screening.
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