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by: DavidBSmith
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It is not a secret that drug addiction is a horrible scourge in our community, and the escalating numbers of addicted teenagers is surely the most dreadful facet of it.

Drugs affect a teen's body in unique ways. Plus when persons are becoming addicted as teenagers, it's going to be much more complex to maintain a clean and sober standard of living as they become more mature.

Young folk in our community are being aquainted with drugs at an increasingly young age. Studies show that by the time kids get into 8th grade, nearly 35 percent have experimented with drugs. In some areas, the number of individuals who develop a habitual drug habit in their teens is as high as 20 percent!

Teenagers are also more susceptible to move from drug use to drug addiction because of their life conditions. Many teens get overcome by the normal struggles of life. They have low self-esteem, experience common teenage worries, and find that they can't express their feelings. They feel that they lack control over their lives. All of these contribute greatly to increasing drug use and eventually drug addiction.

Drugs kill the pain of a painful or routine life. They get rid of physical and mental pain by changing the abuser's perception of the world they live in. Drugs make the addicted human being numb to the pain, despair, or isolation that they feel epitomises their life.

Do you suspect your teenager has a drug addiction? Some of the more common indicators of drug addiction in teens include:

Dramatic changes in conduct

Dull, glassy eyes

Excessive tiredness

Failing in university

Lying or pilfering

Isolation or loss of fulfillment in activities

What do you do when you feel your teenager is struggling with a drug addiction?

Firstly, trust your instincts. If you feel there is a problem, there probably is. Find a safe time when you can talk freely with your child and be frank with them about your concerns. Try to be open-minded regarding what they are expressing to you and be sensitive to their perception of their problems. Tell your teen what you are feeling about their drug addiction.

You are probably worried regarding what might happen to your teen. Try not to be judgmental or incensed: this will only cause them to shut down and back away. You can also talk about personal opinions or experiences you might have had with drugs. While you may be hesitant to do this, it will make you more human in your teenager's eyes.

Often, those closest to the teen (ie. the parents) find it easir to deny that their little one has a drug problem. Parents cannot afford to do this. On the contrary, if you, as a parent, sincerely love your teenager, it is crucial that you get them help as soon as possible. Don't give up, and try not to be discouraged if your initial attempts fail. Eventually, you will get through this and then you and your teenager can begin taking on drug addiction as a team.

About the Author

Drug Addiction among Teenagers visit http://www.addictiontodrugs.org

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