Few things are more frightening for a parent than realizing your teen may be struggling with drugs or alcohol. Your mind races between worry, guilt and not knowing what to do next. Help available, and there is a path forward.

Recognizing the Early Warning Signs of Substance Use

Substance use in young people often shows up as change. You might notice shifts in sleep, appetite or energy. Grades may slip, or your teen may lose interest in activities they used to love. Some parents notice a new group of friends, more secrecy, money or belongings going missing.  A feeling that things just are not right. 

Moodiness, sleeping in and wanting privacy are all part of normal teenage life. What matters is the impact on your child’s life, and the impact on the family. If several changes are happening at once, withdrawal is increasing, your teen is dropping hints or sharing they think they have a problem, or there are other factors that let you know that something is off, it’s worth paying attention. 

How to Start a Supportive Conversation

The first conversation can set the tone, so choose your moment. Pick a calm time, not the middle of a conflict or the moment you find something in their room. Side by side settings like a walk often feel less intense than sitting face to face.

Lead with care. Something like “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately, and I care about you” opens a door. “I know what you’ve been doing” closes one. Expect that denial or anger may show up.  Your goal isn’t a confession. It’s letting your teen know they can talk to you without being met with punishment or shame. Young people who feel judged tend to hide their use. Young people who feel loved are far more likely to accept help.

When Professional Help Is Needed

Some situations call for more than family conversations. It’s time to reach out for professional support if your teen’s use is increasing, if it’s affecting school, friendships or safety, if they’ve been in risky situations as a result of their substance use,, or if you’re seeing signs of anxiety, depression or thoughts of self harm. Think about what other situational issues your teen or family have experienced.  A family loss, trauma, mental health struggles, poor academics might be indicators your teen is searching for a solution to their pain. Trust your instincts. You don’t need to wait for a crisis to ask for help, and reaching out early often means more options.

A family doctor (if you have one) is a good starting point, and many BC communities have youth counsellors and substance use services that families can contact directly. When in doubt you can call 811 for supportive service direction. Given the toxic drug supply in British Columbia, it’s important to learn about overdose prevention and keep naloxone on hand. The goal is to keep them alive while they find their way to support.

Finding Youth Addiction Treatment in BC

Youth addiction treatment in BC ranges from community counselling to live in programs, and the right fit depends on your teen and how much support they need. For young people who need time away from the environments and pressures tied to their substance use, a live in program offers something a weekly appointment can’t: a safe place to slow down, be supported around the clock and work on what lead to substances looking like a solution to their problems. 

Peak House is a voluntary, live in program in Vancouver that has supported young people from across the province for more than 35 years. Over ten weeks, youth live in a home setting, work with counsellors and learn and rebuild skills and confidence through trauma-informed support. Because the program is voluntary, young people choose recovery support, which is where lasting change begins. Families, youth, doctors, counsellors and youth workers anywhere in BC can reach out to ask about referrals, and the team is happy to answer questions from parents who simply aren’t sure what to do next.

You don’t have to have it all figured out today. Noticing, caring and asking for help are already the most important steps.