All You Need To Know About Addiction In Children & Teenagers

All You Need To Know About Addiction In Children & Teenagers

What is Addiction?

Addiction refers to a wide range of compulsive behaviors. Behavior goes from normal to addictive when it becomes an uncontrollable habit. Once it becomes an addiction, that habit can lead to harmful consequences.

It refers to the excessive use of substances like alcohol; prescription and illegal drugs; cigarettes; and food.

For children and adolescents. It also includes an out-of-control attachment to the Internet and video games. To pornographic violence and sex. Even to texting on cell phones.

Symptoms

• Change in behavior and isolation
• When an activity gets all their time and attention
• Harmful behavior
• Compulsive behavior
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Depression
• Loss of interest in school and other activities they use to love

Treatment

Most treatment for addictive behaviors is provided by psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other addiction specialists, as well as through specialized addiction treatment programs and clinics.

These programs use a combination of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral strategies to help reduce the instances of use.

Keep In Mind

• Be involved in your child’s life. Do not be nonchalant about some new behaviors.
• Seek help when you feel overwhelmed. No parent knows it all.
• Share this with another parent that needs to read this.

How can you minimize the risk of your child getting addicted:

• Have a relationship with your child. Let them be free to talk to you.
• Educate them about addiction, do not scare them.
• Help them to build a strong sense of self. So they won’t be easily influenced.
• Introduce them to activities that would help them feel productive.
• Allow them to have fun. Do not be too strict, some children engage in harmful activities just as a form of rebellion.
• May we find the strength and wisdom to be better parents.