Drug Counselor Video Transcription
“At what point should I start thinking about getting drug treatment for my child? It’s hard for most parents to believe that their child might be caught up in alcohol or other drug use and in need of professional help. They don’t realize that. They need to know that it’s okay to reach out for professional help and to do it early on.
Don’t feel bad if you don’t see the warning signs until your child is in trouble or until someone had told you about a drug-alcohol problem in your family. When most parents find out about their child’s drug abuse, they feel shocked and stunned and wonder where they went wrong. Don’t let that get in the way.
Many children and teens feel great pressure to try alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. They’re flooded with pro-use messages from their friends, from alcohol and tobacco advertising and marketing, from the movies they see, music and music videos, and the websites that appeal to youth.
Parents often feel that they have less time to spend with their equally-busy child and have fewer chances to keep track of their activities and friendships and influences. It’s the reality of what we face today in our society. Parents feel like they’re not ready to guide their children on serious matters like alcohol and drug abuse, but don’t let these things get in the way.
Try not to blame yourself or your child if he or she has a substance abuse. The most important thing is to act and to act the right way on any suspicions that you may have. Find the best available services to help your child stop using drugs and alcohol and to begin building a drug-free future. Don’t dismiss your hunches or your gut-level feelings. You have a right to respectfully investigate.
If you have a feeling or evidence of any substance abuse, finding paraphernalia, or the other warning signs, you can get your child help. Don’t wait. Don’t wait to see if it gets better but be preventative. As with any illness or medical problem, early intervention and treatment of your child’s substance abuse raises the chances of successful results. The sooner your child gets help, the less harm her or his drug or alcohol problem may cause and the better her chances or his chances are of developing a healthy, safe, and drug-free lifestyle.
With your encouragement and support and an effective treatment, what now is a painful family experience can become a positive step towards a happy and fulfilling future.”
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