Myths and the Truth
The following myths are why children end up dead due to alcohol and/or drugs.
Please answer the following questions before reading further.
Question #1. If you have discovered that your child is using/abusing alcohol/drugs, what is the worst thing that could happen?
Question #2. If that "worst thing" did happen, can you live with that?
Question #3. Are you doing all that you can do?
If you just answered no to either question 2 or 3, I pray you will read "The Myth and the Truth."
The Myth and The Truth
Myth: My child is just hanging around with the wrong crowd.
Truth: It was your child's choice to use alcohol/drugs. Stopping your child from associating with other children who use alcohol/drugs is wise but it will not correct the problem. The problem will continue.
Myth: I went to a PHP meeting and was horrified. My child's problems are not that serious.
Truth: We, as parents, don't have a clue as to how serious our child's problem is. Why? Children who use alcohol and/or drugs do not tell their parents the truth. All problems start small. The more we deny the problem, the more serious it becomes.
Myth: I used alcohol and experimented with marijuana and I don't have a problem. I believe my child will learn, like I did, to use in an responsible manner.
Truth: Children who use alcohol and/or drugs do not use in a responsible manner, they use to get high. A child can become addicted within six months of continual abuse of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, you are not your child.
Myth: If people (neighbors, church members, family and friends) find out my child is using alcohol and/or drugs we will be humiliated. They will think we are bad parents.
Truth: By the time parents find out they have a problem, everyone else has already known for months and/or years. The parents are the last to find out. Even the child's brother(s) and/or sister(s) know long before the parents. You are not bad parents. I have not met one bad parent who attended a PHP meeting.
Myth: I don't believe people become addicted to alcohol or drugs. It is not a disease, it is a moral and/or a lifestyle choice.
Truth: It is a primary disease and is recognized as such by everyone in the medical community, as well as, all health related professionals.
Myth: I can't handle my child, I will send him/her to my ex-wife/husband.
Truth: The odds of this correcting your child's alcohol/drug use is highly unlikely.
Myth: I will send my child to a counselor.
Truth: This is a great idea but make sure the counselor is certified in drug/alcohol abuse, as it pertains to teens.
Myth: Many kids experiment with alcohol and drugs. It is just a part of growing up.
Truth: Don't bet your child's life on that.
Myth: My family can handle our child's alcohol/drug use without any help from PHP or anyone else for that matter.
Truth: No you can't.
Myth: I have heard that addiction is a genetic disorder. There is no history of substance abuse on either side of our family.
Truth: Your child can become addicted, regardless of genetics. It is true that children whose family has a history of substance abuse are three to five times more likely to develop the disease of addiction. However, no one is immune, absolutely no one. If any of this is starting to make sense, then you are on the right path. If it isn't sinking in, then you and/or your spouse is in denial and your child is in grave danger.
