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Intervention 101
Take Control of Teen Drug Use
By Shel Franco
"Sometimes it's a chemical issue, but sometimes it's an acceptance issue that has children reaching for drugs," Dr. Gross says. "Many times when a child reaches for a group [of friends], what they are really reaching for is a family. So it is important for the family structure to take over and for the parent to say, 'You're valuable. You count. We care about you.'"
Seek out family counseling with a skilled therapist who has certification, degrees and experience in the addiction area. Check with your local mental health association, medical schools and even your family doctor for referrals. Then interview each professional, so that you might find the perfect fit for your family.
"[Addiction] is a terrible burden for a child," Dr. Gross says. "They feel a terrible sense of self. It is a great relief for these kids to realize that it's not all their problem, that 'we' are a family and it's all of our problem. And therefore, we're going to value you, and we're going to put this family back together."
