How children fall into the trap of addiction
Nowadays it is not difficult to get a dangerous drug. Merchants are present on the Internet or even at a school disco. Young people are looking for new experiences, they want to see how strong and fearless they can become in just a few minutes. The depth of the problem lies in the fact that modern children no longer "indulge" ecstasy or weed - they start immediately more powerful drugs. The most common of these are amphetamine or LSD and heroin. Dependence on them occurs after the first application, and the slightest overdose leads to death.
Why do children take this step? After all, many of them are aware of the possible consequences and yet, it does not stop them. There are many reasons why children start taking drugs. Among them:
1. Stress. The child simply wants to forget about his troubles at home or at school, wants to feel the strength to cope with any adversity.
2. Boredom. Usually children from well-to-do families suffer from this, where the parents "buy off" the child with expensive toys, pocket money and gifts. The child has everything, but he lacks attention and love.
3. Loneliness. The child suffers from his own complexes, he lacks communication. A conflict with parents is possible, in which the child desperately seeks approval among his peers.
4. Curiosity. Covers younger children (7-10 years) who are far from knowing about the dangers of drugs.
5. Form of protest. Occurs in a situation where the child is "crushed" by bans and criticism. So he tries to break away from the parental "terror".
6. The desire to appear more mature. This is the most common cause of all teenage "nonsense". It arises because of internal discomfort and self-doubt.
Many of these reasons may seem unfounded, but young people take them seriously. However, you should think that among the main reasons is also a good example of adults. If parents are addicted to alcohol and cigarettes, children are more easily dependent on something else. It is in any case very painful for parents to accept the fact that their children use drugs. But their attitude towards the child, if he uses drugs, should not be accusatory. Otherwise, the child distances himself, and his behavior will worsen even more.
How to prevent the use of drugs by children
Be close, talk about danger
According to experts on drug therapy, the most effective protection against drugs is for the child a warm, reliable home. A home in which parents can freely talk about everything, feeling their love and attention. Any teenager should prepare for a possible meeting with people who offer drugs. How to properly prepare them?
- Read along with the child books and articles showing what this addiction can lead to.
- Discuss the problems. Ask the child if they offered drugs at school or on the street. Ask what he thinks about this, whether he understands the seriousness of the matter.
- Explain. Tell the child about the principles of the drug. Explain the reasons why people become addicted. Do not exaggerate, but really outline the problem.
- Teach the child to say "no." Explain to him that he has the right to refuse at any time. No one can force him to do anything. This is his life and only he can decide what it will be like.
Communicate with the child!
Everyone has a need to talk about things that interest him and be heard. Very often parents do not notice that their children have an acute need to talk with them. If the connection between you and your children is broken, there is a danger of problems and misunderstandings that may have different consequences. Subsequent alienation will lead the child to seek more intensive contacts with other outsiders. So they will seek communication in a circle of peers - outcasts and misunderstood relatives.
Listen to the child carefully!
Being a good listener is a prerequisite for a constructive dialogue. In communicating with children the ability to hear them seems simple. In fact, the word "listen" means:
- show your sincere interest in the life of the child;
- Try to understand his thoughts and feelings;
- help him to better express his feelings and expectations;
- be able to express a common commitment to your problem;
- show the children that you are ready to listen to them always with understanding for any reason.
Put yourself in the baby's place
Try to look at the world with his eyes! Young people tend to exaggerate their problems, suggesting that no one else has had exactly the same difficulties. Let him know that he is not alone in his problem. Feel the child, be interested in his problems. You should not give ready-made solutions and annoy your child with boring stories about your past. It is important that the child feels your willingness to help him, if necessary.
Spend time with your child
Do something that will be equally interesting for both sides. Communication is always more interesting when it is created non-playfully, when both parties share the pleasure of being together. It's not necessary to plan something special. You can just go to the movies, watch football or watch TV. It's not as important as you spend time together. The main thing. That it brought mutual pleasure and happened regularly.
Make friends with your children's friends!
As a rule, young people try drugs in their friendly environment. It is possible that those who take drugs, exert psychological pressure on others, are forced to follow their example. Try to find out and meet with your children's friends, even if they are not the ones you would choose for them. Invite them home, identify a place where they can be together. In this way, you will continue to influence what they do.
Support the interests of your child
Boredom and uncertainty about what to do with yourself are a direct route to drugs. Help the children find out what really interests them. Encourage them in their hobbies, create conditions for the development of their interests.
Do not underestimate our children!
All children have some abilities, but not all parents accept this fact. Sometimes it is difficult to find parents who support their children in their quest for development. When children see that they achieve something and receive proper recognition of this, they get more confidence and confidence in their abilities. In turn, this encourages them to new and new discoveries of their own potentials. The likelihood that such children will deal with drugs is much lower.
Symptoms of drug dependence in children
Do not just find out if your child is taking drugs, especially if this is the first time, or is only used occasionally. Many of the symptoms are typical in general for human development during puberty. Do not jump to conclusions if you notice any of these signs:
- sudden changes in mood: from flashes of joy to anxiety and depression;
- unusual irritability or aggression;
- loss of appetite;
- Loss of interest in a hobby, sport, school or friends;
- bouts of drowsiness and lethargy;
- an inexplicable loss of money or property from your home;
- unusual smells, stains and scars on the body or clothing;
- abnormal powders, tablets, capsules, foil or charred needles from syringes.
- traces of punctures on the hands, blood stains on clothes;
- excessively narrowed (less than 3 mm in diameter) or enlarged (diameter more than 6 mm) pupils;
- mysterious phone calls, companies of unfamiliar peers.
Remember that all these symptoms are observed only in the initial period, when parents have a real chance to help their child give up drugs. When the body adapts to drugs, the symptoms will disappear. Then only the specialist will be able to recognize the external signs that the child is a drug addict. Talk to people who interact more actively with your child - friends, teachers.
React immediately!
Every parent must know how to help a child if his drug use is proven. If you have serious concerns that your son or daughter is taking drugs - do a simple test of the child's urine. Such tests are already available in pharmacies without a prescription. Remember, if your suspicions are confirmed, you must act immediately!
- Contact the clinic for drug addicted youth and talk to the therapist. It is important! Intervention and assistance of professionals will be much more effective than if you tried to solve problems yourself. In addition, if your child is already dependent, treatment in the clinic can help in long-term therapy from drug addiction.
- Although it is difficult, try to keep your nerves to yourself. Do not attack the child - this will only make you worse. A teenager can close in himself and refuse to cooperate with a psychologist. And then the therapeutic process will be much more complicated.