We’ve touched on teen marijuana use a few times lately as a result of increased cases that have been brought to light. If you are concerned that your own son or daughter may be heavily involved with smoking, then consider some of the following before you approach them about it.

What to Do About Teen Marijuana Use?

If you’re a parent, then you know that “when a member of a family has a problem it affects the entire family.” This is still the case – perhaps especially so – if your child is using drugs. Teen marijuana use in particular is still on the rise, since many young people don’t consider potential consequences when they begin to use it more regularly. If this son or daughter is still living at home but has taken up smoking, then you may have to have a serious conversation with them.

Would you say that there is a solid level of trust between you and your child? Have they traditionally been well-behaved and obedient? Do you try your best to be understanding and to listen to them when they speak? The worse the relationship is at the beginning, the more difficult this will be. If you have a child that you consider yourself to be close with, the smoking  may come as a shock, but at least you have a foundation of trust on which to work.

It’s difficult to talk about these kinds of situations with sweeping generalizations, since some people may be smoking infrequently (or socially) and others might be working their way toward a true addiction. In addition, you might not be getting a lot of information from the child in question, if at all, which makes things all the more unclear. Begin trying to get clarity and honesty from your son or daughter, but if they are too closed-off or embarrassed to share details, you may have to discern some things for yourself based on common ‘signs.’

Another factor in changing teen marijuana use is whether or not the teen in question seems worried about the behavior, if they are looking to end it, or if they brush off and deny what you might worry about. They may present you with the claim that their friends engage with the drug, or even that their friends’ parents are fine with the practice, but that shouldn’t at all be a reason for them, or you, to drop the subject.

Do you have any idea what might be motivating your child toward smoking marijuana? It may just be a social desire, to fit in with friends and peers (or, more accurately, to not stand out), but that might not be the only reason. Much of teen marijuana use stems from their wanting to mask unpleasant emotions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and more. They could be trying to cope with a high-pressure lifestyle. There are a lot of reasons, but none are worth the risks that drug use, over time, presents.

“Inquire about the possibility of family therapy. Your child may be resistant to the idea at first but my experience is that teens welcome the opportunity to talk about what is going right and not so right in their lives.” In many cases, the person needed the opportunity to speak freely with you, so make sure to provide that ‘safe space.’

If you or someone you care about needs help recovering from drug use or abuse, then contact The Bergand Group. We offer recovery programs for yourself or for others or are seeking education materials about addictions. The Bergand Group is Maryland’s leading addiction recovery center and offers support for those struggling with drug addiction and mental health issues, including direction for those who may be denying an addiction.  We can help you to work through your addiction in a safe and healthy environment where everyone is committed to your care.

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About The Bergand Group:

At The Bergand Group in Baltimore and Harford County, Maryland, our therapists have more than twenty years of experience in the mental health and addiction fields. Our focus is on providing comprehensive mental health care and appropriate care for addictive disorders. We offer both alcohol rehab and drug rehabilitation. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance addiction, there is help available. We also offer several other services, including family therapy and counseling. We can help. Contact us today.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]