However, this is true only if it is a matter of timely consultation by an expert who specializes in the treatment of drug addiction. But as practice shows, many families face a serious problem that makes it difficult to receive timely assistance. Let’s discuss this in detail.
Misdiagnosis and its consequences
Most parents are sincerely surprised when they find out that their child has used drugs. And this is a true surprise, they simply do not even admit that their lovely child could do this, while they often attribute their strange behavior and appearance to a psychiatric disorder: they suspect a teenager's depression, neuroses, psychosis, etc. As a result, they turn to psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists with the problem of mental disorders, which are companions or even symptoms of chemical dependence. That means the patient receives ineffective treatment for a long time. Why is it dangerous?
Misdiagnosis can lead to the fact that the child will be treated for what he is not sick with: doctors will prescribe psychotropic drugs, antidepressants, sedatives, and ineffective psychotherapy. This further exacerbates the problem of addiction, because a young person often continues to use drugs, while the delusions of parents and a specialist often work in their favor: you may not even hide the consequences of drug use but just continue to blame them on some psychiatric disorders.
The most severe consequence of such a mistake is the exacerbation of addiction: the child starts using drugs more often and in higher doses until it becomes impossible to give up drugs. Inappropriate treatment can cause side effects and physical complications.
What should parents do?
The most important is to acknowledge the possibility that your child may be suffering from addiction. Sometimes it can be difficult to acknowledge it and it’s not obligatory to even voice out their assumptions if they are worried that they might offend him. Try to discuss with a specialist the prospects for a way out: one face-to-face consultation can put things right. If there is reason to suspect a teenager's chemical dependence, it is important to contact an expert who specializes in working with such patients. It is important to remember that you should not cancel the drugs on your own: you should always rely on the opinion of a specialist, and in many cases, it is advisable to seek a second opinion. You can do this by contacting us: give us a call or use a callback option on our website and one of our consultants will contact you within the shortest possible time.
