It is important for parents to understand that someTeenagers are at risk of drug addiction to a greater extent than others. It is necessary to talk about the dangers of drug-induced, literally every teenager, and the more, the more useful. But you should also know that children from families where there is a history of drug use, children suffering from depression and low self-esteem, children who feel »rejected», need special attention. To some extent, all teenagers are finding themselves worse than others, and this is natural. But you should be alarmed if this feeling becomes chronic. Doctors claim that the only two reasons people take drugs: first, to feel good; the other to feel better. At risk are children, who need to feel better.

Annually a lot of research,devoted to the problem of drug abuse among adolescents. Of these, it is clear under what circumstances the children do not go to a frank conversation with his parents. Here is one of them. Teenagers say, »Do not go to the private», ie, do not ask me if I used drugs, did not talk to me about what my friends are doing... I know from personal experience that it can be a dead end.

For example, one of your daughter's girlfriends foundin a coma with a needle in her hand, taken to the hospital, then to the rehabilitation center, then was discharged ... and everything is repeated again. You mention it in a conversation with your child, and that in response: »The problem? What is the problem? She has no problems. Anyone can make a mistake once or twice. » Even if your child does not see a problem here, you know what it is. And you know that somehow you have to be alert for such risky behavior.

It happens that sometimes parents need to bitelanguage, also comes a time when you have to follow your instincts and call dangerous, out-of-control behavior by their names. Your child will be closed and will not listen to you? Quite possible. But words can be the parent as the bites of ants at a picnic. You literally cram most of them heads of teenagers, and some of the words to them, still it comes.

We need to talk, and talkfruitfully. We also need to observe and to do it very carefully. Warning signals can be very weak, and perhaps we do not want to notice them. But in reality we have no choice. That is something that is worth looking for.

• Physical symptoms. Does your child's problems with the awakening? I'm not talking about an ordinary teenager sleepiness that occurs when the girl lost overnight on guitar (in adolescents is indeed in the morning reduced metabolic rate). I'm talking about the present continuous fatigue and sleepiness. Your child is often sick? The daughter constantly runny nose and red, lifeless eyes, exhausting cough?

These symptoms are not always signsdrug use, but they are already the basis for the doctor's visit, regardless of the wishes of a teenager. Actually, the trip to the doctor without prior notification of the teenager - still the best circumstance for a complete examination, including a drug test. I agree, it is somewhat arbitrarily and may cause a quarrel. But you have to find out everything.

• Emotional symptoms. They indicate sudden
mood swings, irritability,irresponsible behavior, depression, self-esteem problems, stupid judgments, bouts of depression, lack of interest in communication, a general downturn activity, exclusion from family and friends.

If you have a child - a teenager, you can say: »Yes, it happens to him, and you want to say that this - the signs of addiction?». We all know very well that all of the above falls under the category of a typical behavior of teenagers.

The idea is that you should notice a change in behavior and pay attention to them.

• School problems. Watch for sudden performance drop, frequent absenteeism, common problems with discipline. And again, perhaps it is a reason to see a doctor. According to experts, this is one of the most eloquent signs of drug use.

• Social problems. Here, there are two very different points of view. AADYUP warns of the emergence of »new friends, who are not interested in the standard of family life and school activities, problems with the law and less prone to changes in the traditional fashion and music.»

On this occasion, one of my friends teenHe expressed somewhat differently. »There are some things that you do not need to worry, because they are absolutely normal: your child dressed in gothic style or completely wild. Do not assume your child a drug addict because he has blue hair. Clothes, hair and piercing - these are normal things for a teenager. » These findings he made in communicating with children.

Who is right? I will tell you to pay attention to both the Council. Do not rush with negative evaluations about your child, but also do not look at the world through rose-colored glasses. Many doctors talked about it too. You run the risk that too are against the fact that your daughter suddenly begins to cause deathly pale makeup or wear a dog collar? One of America's leading doctors, closely involved in the search for solution to the problem of child drug addiction, points out: »There are things much worse than similar displays.» In any case, it gives parents a lot of trouble. See what lies behind the sudden changes in behavior.

All of this revolves around the very serious problems. The classic signs of drug use (with the exception of chronic health problems) can only be warning signs: you have a teenager in the house. But they can also indicate a real complications, especially when suddenly appear. If you are not sure, do not put their own diagnoses: consult experts - physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors for drug educators. Everyone who is able to help. First of all, talk to your family doctor or pediatrician.

And one more: those two adolescents who suffered from a morphine overdose, made a much greater impression on the children who were with me than any conversation with my parents. I do not advise you to spend time in hospital emergency rooms waiting for delivery to friends with an overdose. But I highly recommend assist the participation of their children in crisis, suicide, and drug-related problems »hot lines». Let them hear stories firsthand from the teens, caught in the last line.