Posted on June 20, 2009

We often hear of references to heroin use and the problems that can accompany an addiction. For parents who fear that their child may have ventured into this dangerous activity, it can be difficult to identify if they don’t know what signs to identify.

Newsday recently published a piece that examines the habits of a heroin user, signs of abuse and how to find treatment options. Jeffrey Reynolds, executive director of the Long Island Council on Addiction and Drug Dependence suggests that parents look for patterns in their child and go with their gut.

Teens using heroin will often display irritability, anger, unusual sleeping patterns and dramatic mood swings. While these things can also be common in normal teenagers, parents have to be tuned in to pick up on what is normal and what is out of place. If any of these things is accompanied by a sudden change in friends, the disappearance of household valuables and late nights, immediate action should be taken.

Teens who are dealing with a serious addiction will need to spend a week in a detoxification center. This will allow their withdrawal symptoms to be controlled and smoothed by medication.

Once the detox step is complete, both inpatient and residential rehab centers are available to treat the teen. Stays can range anywhere from one week to 18 months, depending upon the severity of the problem. Once the teen has completed this stage, he or she is generally recommended to outpatient treatment, counseling and even self-help groups.

An important thing for parents to remember is that teen addicts are often swift to resist treatment, even if they acknowledge they have a problem. An intervention can be an effective move, but can also cause significant damage if not handled correctly. Reynolds recommends that families seek professional advice and even help before attempting an intervention with their teen.