What types of drugs are teens into?
Dr. Cidambi has been treating individuals with drug addiction for over 10 years and the one drug that most teens try first is marijuana. “The availability of drugs used to be concentrated in the inner cities a few years back,” she explains. “Nowadays you could easily buy them at a major intersection close to your home, even if you live in the suburbs. It’s almost as easy as accessing alcohol or tobacco.” There are so many different types of drugs including some in your own medicine cabinet, such as prescription pain pills, sleeping medicine, cough syrup, and bath salts. When you mix these with heroin, synthetic drugs, and synthetic cannabinoids, you get a bigger high.
What can you do?
As a parent, you have to be extra vigilant, especially when it comes to drugs. “It is not difficult to tell if your child is suffering from addiction,” explains Dr. Cidambi. “An onset of behavioral/mood issues, unkempt appearance, avoiding old friends, lack of interest in hobbies and changes in eating habits should alert a parent that something is going on.”
If you notice something is off, seek professional help. Treatment is a viable option and is covered under most insurance plans, including Medicaid. There are free resources such as the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Helpline that can help coach you on how to talk to your teen and even refer you to a place where your child can get treatment.
