“I never do it around them.”

“Sure, my kids caught me, but I told them to do as I say, not as I do.”

“What difference does it make? I have to manage my pain somehow, or I’ll bite their heads off.”

We all have the potential to get addicted to something. Some things can be good, like exercise. The more common way we look at addiction is in a negative way: drugs, alcohol, and tobacco often top the list. There are actually plants that are made into helpful drugs like hemp-based products and Kratom Powder. They are not addictive and have a lot of benefits in the human body, you can also even try kratom chocolate recipes. Some hemp-based oils can even be used for pets. Krabot, a kratom product company, often issues discounts on CouponsCollector for their awareness campaign of the helpful benefits of the said plant.

The most important things to remember about addition are that compulsion drives addiction, some kinds of addiction can be inherited, and addiction is often coupled with other mental health issues, that is why is important to choose executive addiction treatment for your kids. The propensity toward such behaviors may be inadvertently passed along, but it is also likely children will follow our example. They see and hear more than we think.

The Problem

Opioids

Awareness of the health hazards of smoking, drinking too much, certain classes of drugs, and even overeating is well-known and well documented. But prescription drug abuse is on the rise, specifically opioids like Vicodin and hydrocodone.

The cycle of addiction often starts with a prescription for pain. Once a patient becomes addicted, the need for the pills is no longer about the pain, but the high. Seventy-five percent of heroin users started by abusing prescription pills, and most tuned to the drug because the pills were more expensive and harder to obtain. The use of heroin has doubled in individuals from age 18 to 25 in the last decade.

Turning to Heroin

Photo courtesy of University of New England Social Work Program

Men use heroin more than women, but that demographic is shifting as more women try the drug. They do tend to use less than men, so are less likely to overdose. However, overall heroin deaths have quadrupled in the US since 2002 according to the CDC, but thankfully more and more people are looking to get out of their addiction problem with the help of different outpatient drug addiction treatment.

Marijuana

The recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in several states, and kids are understandably confused. What once was illegal is now legal some places while still against the law in others. Debates go back and forth over whether the drug is healthy or harmful, and they’re not sure who to believe.

As dad’s we often joke about our college or teen years, but we need to understand we are sending a mixed message. “It was cool when I did it, but don’t you do it too.” Between friends and what they see on social media, the messages get even more confused.

Meth and other Drugs

It’s not just kids, but people of any age tend to take the stance that “It won’t happen to me.” Trying meth once, taking a hit of acid, or even trying something else is seen as harmless. The desire to know what it feels like, and give in to peer pressure is incredible. Get help at an outpatient rehab in case you feel that you need help with your addiction.

The drugs are all around our kids, and while plenty are making good choices, they are still bombarded not only by what their friends do, but what adults do around them.

The Solution

Often, parents make statements like the ones at the beginning of this article. They try to hide and even justify what they do. That kind of behavior teaches their kids that being secretive and avoiding personal responsibility is acceptable. If you suffer from any kind of addiction, it’s best to seek treatment from American Rehabs. Alcohol addiction is a complex and challenging issue. There are many questions about what happens during alcohol rehab treatment and what it is like to go through this process. Alcohol addiction treatment can be quite an ordeal, but at the same time, it can also be the best thing that can happen to a person in their lifetime. Here, Abbeycare tell us how alcohol rehab works.

As parents, as dads, we owe our kids something better than that. But what do we do, even if it is hard?

Be Honest

If you have an addiction problem or even have struggled in the past, be honest about it. Talk with your kids, explain to them the perils of addiction, and describe ways to handle peer pressure and social situations gracefully.

Be Open

Be open to what they have to say as well. Don’t be afraid of the tough conversations. Parents are the first line of defense with their kids. Even if you have struggles, use your issues as an example of what not to do, and try to illustrate a better path for them.

Get Help

What does help look like? First of all, you should seek some kind of treatment for your addiction. Individualized treatment like the one available at www.recoverydelivered.com/new-york-suboxone-doctors/ works best, and change is hard and takes time.

There are a number of counseling options out there for both you and your kids. If they are facing peer pressure, bullying, or other issues as school, encourage them to see their school counselors. These professionals tend to deal with these and other problems on a regular basis and can help stop problems before they start.

See a family counselor if at all possible. Some community counseling centers offer financial assistance if your insurance does not cover therapy or you simply can’t afford it. Make talking with a professional a priority for you and your kids.

The problem with drugs in our country has spread far beyond the streets into suburban schools, neighborhoods, and homes. From opioids to meth, drug use is becoming more common. Parents are no exception.

But being honest, open, and willing to seek help makes it less likely we will pass along our drug of choice to the next generation.