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Danger in the Medicine Cabinet
Drug Addictions Don't Just Happen on the Street
By Tamekia Reece
4. Get advice. According to Andi, the former addict now working with addicts on a daily basis, the most important thing a parent can do is to get advice. Because parents may blame themselves or be embarrassed, they may choose to keep it bottled up inside. This is not a good thing. Bottling up your feelings will only cause more stress and won't be good for helping your teen. You are not alone in this. If you don't feel comfortable or your teen would rather you didn't discuss the issue with family or friends, there are always other resources for getting advice and seeking counseling. Remember, help may be only a phone call away.
5. Don't just talk – listen. If your child tells you how her friends were popping pills at school that day, don't automatically fly off the handle. Instead, listen. By listening, you keep the lines of communication open and let her know that she can tell you what's going on in her life without fear of you lashing out. Be sure you do a little more than just listen, though.
Talk with your teens about drugs – both street and prescription drugs. Even though it may not seem like it at times, teens do listen.
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