As a parent, one of the last things you want to see is your child on drugs. When a child turns to drugs, there’s something that needs to be addressed. Under no circumstances is it okay to normalize children using drugs. Take this experience seriously with the following tips.
Avoid the Urge to Panic
Instead of yelling and screaming at your child, do your best to remain calm. It can be scary to see your child get their hands on drugs. However, there are ways to approach this situation in order to experience restorative healing. Yelling and panicking almost never work. Find ways to release and express your emotions with your own therapist or a confidant. Once you’ve emoted, be a calm force when you’re facing your child.
Call in Professionals
Since you’ve never been in this space before, you don’t have the tools to navigate through it. One of the best ways to approach this situation is by connecting with people who do have the tools, information and wisdom to help. Connect with a therapist who can help you and your child process the emotions that led to your child’s use of drugs. In many cases, children don’t truly understand the damage drugs can do. Take the approach of hiring a drug possession attorney as they can help you if your child used illegal drugs and substances. You don’t want your child to get stuck in a legal tailspin without the necessary support.
Create a Safe Space
Sometimes, children use drugs to cope with life. If they’re suffering due to bullies or difficulties in school, consider creating a safe space for homeschooling. If home life feels chaotic, make some major changes in the way your home life operates in order to provide love, protection, and consistency for your child.
Become More Intentional with Activities
It’s not uncommon for children to get involved with drugs because they have a lot of time on their hands. It’s often stated that idle time is the devil’s playground. Sign them up for after-school sports programs and other extra-curricular activities. This ensures that they’re under supervised care as they engage in positive experiences that don’t allow drugs on the premises.
Try not to be hard on yourself as a parent. Parenting isn’t an easy job. Give yourself and your child grace as you navigate the details of this challenge. Thankfully, with intentionality, you can communicate love and care to your child in a way that helps them put the drugs away for good.
