Teens and Marijuana (not such a soft drug)

 

Well where do I start.  As children grow into dreaded teenagers, this question is always going to be in the back of your mind "Has my teenager tried drugs or even doing them?"

That is something most parents dread and in most cases avoid even thinking

about.  I will give you one piece of advice from the voice of experience, always be open with your children about these things.  Don't scold them if they tell you or you find out they have tried or are doing drugs.  The best possible way is to be firm but understanding with them.  My own 2 year experience with marijuana prompted me to write this advice.  At the age of 17, my parents had restricted me from going to parties or being in an environment where drugs and alcohol were readily available.  I am not saying that they were wrong in doing this, but my curiosity got the better of me when I left home.  There  I was exposed to free pot, free alcohol. 

Being so naive at that age, I spiralled into a 2 year depression of constant pot smoking and alcohol binging addiction.  I became a lazy, moody and a dole bludging no hoper who finally thought suicide was the answer.  It was only when I had a panic attack after smoking a bong that  I realised that pot wasn't such a soft drug afterall.  From there, I quit cold turkey and my doctor diagnosed me with agrophobia (I couldn't go outside without having a panic attack) and anxiety disorder due to going cold turkey.  After that the doctor pescribed me Aropax which I depended on for the next year, I realised even the Aropax was as bad as the pot when I weened myself off it.

To me becoming a marijuana addict cost me a lot more than what is was worth.  In telling you this story, you must realise that your children are always at risk of falling like I have.  The worst thing about it, was that I did not tell my parents about my addiction as they had told me throughout my life that drugs are bad and if they ever found out they would disown me.  This is where a long addiction could have stopped if my parents had been more open with me about this issue.  It also doesn't hurt to show your teens my story so they realise that drugs aren't the answer.  Below is a list of signs to look out for if you think your teens or children are on drugs.  Even if you don't think they are, it doesn't hurt to read the signs in case.

1. At the top of the list is mood swings.  If your child has changed from a vibrant and outgoing person to a quiet and withdrawn person there could be an underlying cause.

2.  You can smell it on them.  Believe me its not hard to smell as it has its own distinctive aroma.

3.  If they seem extremely sleepy and red-eyed.  Red eyes are a major giveaway especially if the smell of smoke.

4.  Have they lost their ambition for life.  This is not a direct indicator but in a lot of teens their brain and thoughts change because of the drug.

5.  You think they are hanging a crowd you would consider bad

6.  You find a bottle (self made bong) with a hole about 5 to 10 cm from the top, a cut off hose etc.  These are self explainatory.

7.  When you ask them if anything is wrong, they become aggravated and indicative of becoming voilent.

Generally, these are only guidelines to signs of drug using.  Sometimes some of these signs are from other underlying issues such as being bullied or peer pressured.  The main thing in this whole advice column is to be open, honest and listen to your teenagers rather than be their enemies.  Teenagers are always going to be experimental creatures, but having someone on their side will decrease the risk for their need to experiment with such things.