Your mother prepares or makes drugs in your presence or in the same place where you are Your mother stores or uses chemicals or equipment for preparing drugs around you Your mother sells or gives drugs or alcohol to you or another child Your mother gets high and is unable to care for you Your mother has you around people who sell drugs
This person may be able to break through to your mother and explain how her behavior is affecting you. This person may also be able to offer you temporary care and support during this confusing time.
To stage an intervention, ask a trusted adult to help you contact a psychologist, addictions counselor, social worker, interventionist, or psychiatrist to coordinate the meeting. Any family members and close friends may be allowed to attend. The group will determine a possible course of action to help your mother get help. You all might look up treatment facilities and generally learn more about addiction in order to understand what your mother is going through.
If your mother’s drug use has placed you in danger or you are being abused, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE.
Addiction is a disease. Even your mother, on her own, cannot stop the vicious cycle of drug addiction. She needs professional help to get better. Blaming yourself isn’t healthy or helpful. Instead, take the time to do self-care and nurture yourself. What you are going through can be devastating, but taking care of yourself can help you better care for her.
You can visit the Narcotics Anonymous website to look up meetings for Narateen groups, which are support groups for teens who have family members or friends with addictions.
Acknowledge your feelings instead of trying to numb them Call a friend when you feel upset Exercise Get a hobby Volunteer in your local community Turn to your spiritual or religious faith Turn to new role models, such as teachers, coaches, or group leaders Join the D. A. R. E. (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education) group at your school
Feeling shame or embarrassment about your mother’s addiction is a common response that keeps many adolescents from speaking up. [6] X Research source Carefully screen your friends to decide who will be less judgmental and most supportive of you. You may start the conversation by saying something like “So, the other day, I found drugs in my mom’s room. I don’t know what to do. . . " Prepare yourself for the consequences if you talk to an adult at your school. Teacher or school counselors will not be able to keep it a secret. They are generally required to report such information to the local authorities in order to protect you.
Changes in eating patterns (a lot more or a lot less) Weight loss or gain Bloodshot eyes with pupils bigger or smaller than normal Decline in physical appearance (e. g. not combing hair, not bathing regularly, or changing clothes) Strange smells on breath, body or clothing Shaky hands Poor coordination or balance Slurred speech
No longer going to school or work Asking for money from you or other family members Hanging with different friends and at different houses or locations Getting into trouble with the police, neighbors, or landlord Acting suspiciously (e. g. hiding things, keeping her door locked, or sneaking out)
Being in a bad mood, really cranky, irritable or angry Acting tired or sad Seeming like they have a different personality Being afraid or paranoid without reason Acting hyper or giddy
If you want, you can wait until another trusted adult is in the house and tell this person about what you saw. Let an adult take the responsibility for dealing with any drug paraphernalia. Doing so yourself could put you in danger.
