Drugs

Drugs, drugs, drugs. So how do you talk to your teens about which drugs are good and which are bad? Drugs are a touchy subject these days, especially in the United States. The main thing to remember is that you can’t control your teens forever. You can only hope that you’ve taught them well so that they can make the right decision on the own.

Drug Abuse and Addiction

Some teens do drugs from time to time and manage to do fine. For many teens, drug use is just a phase that doesn’t last for life. However, there’s always the danger of teen drug addiction. Once a teen develops a drug addiction, it can be very difficult to help them. This of course depends a lot on the kind of drug they’re addicted to. It’s not likely that your teen will become addicted to heroin in high school under any half-normal circumstances, but it does happen, and it is very different to help a heroin addict to kick their addiction. One of the biggest challenges is getting your teen to allow you to help them.

Prescription Drugs

Some people have access to prescription drugs, either through their job, if they work at a hospital or dentist’s office for instance, or because the drugs have been prescribed to them by their doctor, and sell their prescription drugs on the street for a high price. A lot of these prescription drugs include things like morphine and other potent pain killers.

Illegal Drugs

Don’t think for a second that illegal drugs are difficult for teenagers to come by just because they’re illegal. Chances are, your teenager can get any kind of illegal drugs they want from their high school. And since your teens will certainly have easy access to illegal drugs, it’s more important to focus on educating them about different drugs, their effects, and associated risks.

Drugs and Alcohol

Some teens find that certain drugs work more effectively when taken with alcohol. You should make sure your teen is aware of the risks of mixing drugs and alcohol. Some drugs have dangerous interactions with alcohol. The reason that a lot of drugs shouldn’t be taken with alcohol is because your living can only handle so many toxins at once. Sometimes a drug is soluble in alcohol, so when taken with alcohol they disperse into the bloodstream and take effect faster. One especially important thing to talk to your teen about is drugs and alcohol at house parties. Often, bars a lot safer environment for teens doing drugs or drinking alcohol because there are lots of people around and few places to hide. At a house party however, where there’s usually plenty of alcohol, someone could slip date rape drugs into a girl’s drink and there’s be plenty of rooms to and places to hide out to sexually assault someone. Frat parties are notorious for that sort of thing. In fact, fraternities are based on a long history of gang rape. Today, universities and guilty frat boys blame this behaviour on rugs and alcohol; a weak excuse since many people drink and do drugs and don’t feel the urge to abduct and rape young girls.

Cough Syrup

Cough syrup abuse has become a serious problem in high schools around the world. Young high school kids who can’t afford illegal drugs or don’t have access to them may resort to drinking over the counter cough syrup to get high. Cough syrup can also be a dangerous drug if misused. It just shows that kids can get drugs just about anywhere, and that’s why it’s important for parents to talk to their teens about using drugs.

Marijuana

Though most anti-marijuana propaganda makes false claims about the dangers of smoking marijuana, there are a few important things you should know about marijuana. Marijuana doesn’t make people angry or violent, but it can make you dopey and lazy. Of course, this is a temporary effect of marijuana. Though marijuana is not a physically addictive drug, many people get hooked on the feeling of euphoria they get from marijuana, which can seriously affect your lifestyle. Though some regular marijuana smokers manage to function, others let the drug take over their lives and spend the better part of their youth playing video games and eating cheetos in their apartment.

Steroids

Steroids are getting to be a real problem in high schools, especially among young males. Many male teens start going to the gym in high school to bulk up. Someone at the gym, or perhaps a teammate from a school football or baseball team might offer your teen steroids to speed up the progress. If your teen is taking steroids, it’ usually not as hard to tell as with other drugs because it drastically changes your physical appearance. If you suspect that your teen is taking steroids you should talk to them about it and suggest getting them some exercise or a fitness class

Diet Pills

Diet pills are also making their way into high schools where young girls who are constantly pressed about their weight eventually give in and take pills as an easy way out. Unfortunately, there is no easy way out, and diet pills can be very dangerous to your health. It can be hard to tell if your teen is taking diet pills or any other kinds of drugs; that’s why it’s important that you become involved in your teen’s life and talk to them about body image and other such issues.

Homemade drugs

Other kids might try to make their own homemade drugs. Homemade drugs are as dangerous as any other drugs and although you know what’s in them, you can’t be sure of how certain chemicals will interact with each other and your body. Most homemade drugs are found drugs. The most common drugs include glue and prescription medicine. Many teens get high from sniffing glue or gasoline or other household things.

All of the aforementioned substances have some sort of addictive potential. If you or someone you know is suffering from a severe addiction, it may be time to consider attending a rehabilitation center. Many serious addictions come with even more serious withdrawal symptoms and, generally, the only way to remedy this problem is by placing the addicted individual in the care of professionals. Many addictions can lead to either death or irreversible brain damage. Don’t let it get to that point if you or someone you know is struggling.