Q: How Can I Discourage My Impulsive Teen From Experimenting With Drugs?
Symptoms such as impulsivity and anxiety put teens with ADHD at higher risk for trying alcohol and using recreational drugs — and can make it more challenging for parents to prevent risky behavior. Find out how to set clear limits.
1 Comment: Q: How Can I Discourage My Impulsive Teen From Experimenting With Drugs?
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This is a great question and the answer is complicated. I don’t believe that drug experimentation is bad and drug use does not mean addiction. In fact addiction is less common than most people believe. But addiction is more common in people with developmental disorders, IE ADHD. A great book about this is Unbroken Brain. It explains that addiction is actually learned and is a combination of nature and nurture. How does this relate to ADHD? A person with ADHD may experiment with drugs because they are curious and impulsive. Those drugs may aid in creativity and be a positive experience, great. But if they start to associate they drug with away of coping or dealing with life then the addiction can develop. I say this as someone with ADHD and that is sober. My addiction was a learned coping mechanism to help me deal with issues I had with ADHD. If I had learned better coping skills or had more social support, awareness, etc, then maybe I would not have drank for as long as I did. My short answer: education, love, support, and awareness.