Even when things are going well, growing up a teenager can be overwhelming. They can come to your house every day for a week, eat all the food, and have an amazing social life with a parade of friends who will disappear and never be seen again. They can get mad for no reason and refuse to shower or insist they should dress as they did in 1994, complete with vintage Reeboks. There are too many YouTube stars who are surprisingly popular but don't seem to have the talent to keep up. Sometimes you don't seem to understand them at all. This is normal. There may come a time when you think they are acting more strangely than usual, or there may come a time when you worry they have a serious problem. Perhaps they are terribly agitated and unusually tired. They can be snarling or aggressive and are always in the room. It is not suitable for them. These are not normal teenage moods or hormones. You don't have to worry about drugs. If you find a suspicious bag in your belongings or see a picture of a suspect on social media, that anxiety can explode into full-blown panic. 

1. Ask questions, but keep an open mind
When discussing your concerns with your child, remember that he may not be using drugs and that there may be other reasons for his behavior. Sometimes our fears go straight to conclusions about drug use. Because that's a scary prospect, and it seems like we're always hearing horror stories about teenagers and drug use. But the truth is that drug use among teenagers has decreased over time, and teens are less likely to experiment with drugs than expected. There are many other possible causes of strange behavior.

2. Take care of Yourself
You've probably heard this before, and it might not be what you want to hear. But it's a cliché for a reason. Perhaps the most important thing you can do. Each of us has a lot on our plate. Such challenges are often more of a marathon than a sprint. Taking care of yourself is one way to prepare for it.

3. Avoid power struggles
It is often difficult for parents to avoid power struggles, especially when they see their children behaving at risk. As a parent, feelings of panic, fear, or anxiety often accompany the thought of your child using drugs. This can cause sudden or explosive emotional reactions. This is completely normal!

Sometimes these reactions can take the form of a power struggle. It is often like a tugboat. You try to stop them from using or meeting certain friends or doing what they say, but they stubbornly refuse. Sometimes I do the opposite to prove that I can.

4. Work with them to set boundaries
We all need boundaries. They are important and help to articulate expectations. At the same time, they are mature and often want to fight for themselves. As discussed, power struggles should be avoided. 

5. Build healthy relationships
Drug use is an emotional topic. Feelings of fear, anxiety, and anger can lead to inappropriate arguments. Remember, it's normal to feel these things! But being angry and being angry are two different things. Healthy relationships are important. This means respecting the teenager and his needs. Help them feel respected and cared for.

6. Teach yourself
You may also want to consider educating yourself and your teen about risk reduction techniques. Helping your teen understand strategies they can use to reduce their risk of drug use does not mean you are supporting your child's drug use decisions. Think of it as sex education. Although most Australian parents are not happy about their teenagers having sex, most make sure their children are educated about sexual health measures, such as preventing sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Risk reduction strategies for drug use can be approached in the same way. Many of us are unfamiliar with damage reduction techniques, so ask your advisor how to find a support service near you that can help.

7. Stay connected
Problematic substance use is generally not a sustainable lifestyle. If your teen isn't ready to quit now, he probably will in the future. When they get to the point where they start thinking about alternatives, it's important to know that people are willing to support them to make a difference. So: keep communication open. That doesn't mean you have to approve of their drug use. Just make sure they know you support them when they want to change. They may have to hear it over and over again, but you will never regret it because they know you love and support them.