“It's No Big Deal, All Teens Experiment……”

You’re waiting for your daughter to come home from a friend’s house and when she walks in the door you can tell she has been drinking. While doing laundry you find a half empty pack of cigarettes in your son’s pants pocket. Your teen comes home from the movies and you smell marijuana on his clothing. Parents react in different ways to these situations, some with extreme concern and other with the thought that “all teens experiment, is it really that bad?”  The answer to your question is a resounding “Yes!” What some consider “normal” teen behavior should be addressed immediately and not dismissed. Keep in mind that experimenting with drugs is a gamble, some will become addicted and some will not. Substance use in teens is a slippery slope that may result in many negative consequences . Most teens cannot tell the difference between recreational use and dependence. Don’t take the chance with your child, take action if you find out they are experimenting. Talk often to your teen and seek assistance from a professional if your child engages in these risky behaviors. Click here to watch a compelling video of one mother’s struggle with her son’s marijuana use. 

Link Together – Supporting Drug and Alcohol Free Youth