Is your teenager struggling with substance abuse? How does that affect the way you parent your younger children?  Your older child is probably getting most of your time and attention. You, the rest of your family, and your friends are focused on helping your addicted teenager. But what’s happening to the rest of your kids? Are you just hoping that they’ll be just fine on their own? Learn how you can create a plan to ensure that your younger children aren’t neglected as you treat your teen’s substance abuse addiction.   Drug abuse is not a new problem, but it is a stubborn one for contemporary society. What may start as medical or so-called recreational use of controlled drugs can tip over into craving and addiction, with dire consequences for the user’s well being and, frequently, consequences for the community as well. Find out how to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug abuse or addiction in someone you care about. 

You cross the line from drug abuse to drug addiction when using drugs stops being a choice and becomes a necessity, when it controls you and not the other way around. You’re convinced that the drug is necessary for you to have a feeling of well-being or even just to get through the day. Your craving for your drug of choice crowds out most other thoughts, and your pursuit and use of the drug become what takes up most of your time. Nothing is more important than getting high: not your job, not your kids, not your spouse, not your folks. Getting high, in fact, becomes so important that you’re willing to sacrifice your work, family, and home, even as you deny that you have a problem.

 Signs and symptoms of drug abuse and addictionSubstance abusers are often the last ones to recognize their own symptoms of abuse, dependence and addiction. Even when they know they have a problem, drug abusers often try to downplay their drug use and conceal their symptoms. But if you suspect that a friend or loved one is abusing drugs, there are a number of warning signs you can look for. 

Behavioral symptoms of drug abuse 

• Talking incoherently or making inappropriate remarks
• Risky behavior, such as driving under the influence of drugs, starting a fight, or engaging in unprotected sex.

• Secretive or suspicious behavior: frequent trips to the restroom, basement, or other isolated areas for privacy while using drugs
• Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming
• Wearing sunglasses and/or long-sleeved shirts frequently or at inappropriate times

• Frequent absences from work or school; drop-off in quality of work or grades
• Neglect of family responsibilities
• Evidence of money problems: frequent borrowing, selling possessions, or stealing items from employer, home, or school
• Legal problems rooted in drug use: arrest for driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance, disorderly conduct, or stealing
• Using drugs first thing in the morning
• Using increasing doses of a drug.

There are many options for parents who have a child involved with teen substance abuse. Either enrolment into a specialty boarding school, residential treatment center or a short-term drug detox hospital followed by the aforementioned options. 

 Fortunately there is still a great deal of hope if parents are able to get the troubled teen the appropriate intervention. This will require a strong determination for the parent of a troubled teen not to waiver under the teens desires or promises to quit his or her drug and/or alcohol use. It may be prudent to seek out information about helping your troubled teen get the professional help they need for their drug and or alcohol abuse.

 Many people can’t afford the 20 to 30 thousand dollars it takes to put their loved one in a rehab center.  John Lee has written a book …The Complete Guide To Affordable Drug And Alcohol Rehab … that tells about Places where they don’t care about your money, they care about you. Places where you’re going to get the help you need, you’re going to get treated well and where you’re going to learn what you need to know to get better… and stay better. Well I hope this has been some help. Like you we have also personally seen the destruction that drugs can cause . Here’s a book that shows how to get free or low cost rehab