What Parents Should Know About Teen Vicodin Addiction
Teen Vicodin addiction isn’t always easy to identify. Parents may recognize that there are changes in their child and have concerns as a result but be unable to pinpoint what exactly the problem is. For teens who are prescribed Vicodin for ongoing chronic pain, parents may believe that the changes are simply side effects of the medication rather than signs of Vicodin addiction. Teens who take their pills at school or steal a few here and there from family members with Vicodin prescriptions may baffle parents even more. With no telltale odor either from the pills or on your teen after use, it can be difficult to even suspect drug abuse and addiction unless you find the pills themselves.
If you are concerned that Vicodin addiction is an issue for your teen, with or without a prescription, talk to them about it. An in-depth discussion – or a discussion that happens in stages over a few days – that addresses the issue of drug and alcohol abuse can help you determine whether or not Vicodin addiction may be a problem for your teen.
It’s Important to Take Definitive Action When Your Teen Is Living With Vicodin Addiction
If talking to your teen does nothing to alleviate your concerns because your teen continues to exhibit signs of what you believe is a drug addiction, take action. Don’t wait for the issue to pass. Instead, opt for definitive actions that will help you and your teen to move forward with the problem. This may mean administering an at-home drug test or taking your teen to the doctor for more professional results to urine tests and/or blood tests that look for different substances. It may mean searching your teen’s room for signs of drugs and/or paraphernalia. It could also mean enrolling your teen in personal therapy sessions or another therapeutic program designed to help your teen talk about issues that may be underlying or informing his or drug abuse issues.
Remember that if the drug tests come up positive or if you find drugs in your teen’s room, they will need immediate assistance at a teen drug rehab program. Call Newport Academy to discuss your teen’s options in Vicodin addiction treatment.
Parents Must Stand Their Ground When Helping Their Teen Fight Vicodin Addiction
Whether you choose surprise drug tests, personal therapy, family therapy, outpatient drug rehab or inpatient Vicodin addiction treatment, it is important that you follow through. Don’t back down and give up after a couple of months or drop efforts to help your teen fight addiction when he or she makes the first few steps toward progress – or refuses to benefit from help offered. Instead, increase your efforts if you see no progress being made in Vicodin addiction treatment and make sure to remain vigilant and focused on an ongoing treatment plan if your teen begins to improve.
Teen Vicodin Addiction Treatment at Newport Academy
Contact us at Newport Academy to learn more about Vicodin addiction treatment and how you can best help your teen to come back after addiction.