How to Prevent Pharmaceuticals Addiction

Becoming addicted to drugs can be very costly, in more ways than one. Not only are there adverse effects on your health, there is the potential for legal trouble- and we all know that addiction can ruin jobs, families and relationships. Here are some ways to spot the early signs and to help prevent pharmaceutical addiction.

1. Talk about it. It's never too early to discuss the dangers of addiction. Learn more about the effects of various drugs and how they are taken. If you are discussing addiction with your children, be as specific as possible and be sure to include facts. Set rules concerning drug use, and if those rules are broken, have consequences in place. Start early, and be consistent with discipline. Be fair, but firm, and make it clear that your children can come and talk to you any time. If they talk about using drugs, don't rush to judgment; address the issue from a trusting position and try to find out why they made that decision.

2. Look for the symptoms of pharmaceutical addiction. If you can spot the signs early, you can take steps to prevent a full-fledged addiction. Some common signs of drug use are trouble in school (such as falling grades) or at work. An addict will often undergo a radical change in appearance, and many will lose interest in friends and normal activities in favor of those which promote drug use. A pharmaceutical addict will often sleep far more than is normal, and be lethargic when they are awake. Other symptoms include changes in appetite and weight loss; these are often also part of normal teen development, but one can never be too observant.

3. Know their schedule. Teens and young adults need a bit of freedom, and being overly restrictive can often cause more of a problem than it solves. By the same token, don't be naive about where they are going and what they may be doing. Acquaint yourself with their routine and know what activities they are involved in. Be sure to keep open communication, and be reachable in an emergency. Convey a sense of awareness and interest without being smothering, and they will be more likely to trust you when there is a problem.

4. Set a good example by not doing drugs yourself. Leading by example is essential in preventing pharmaceutical addiction. Refrain from abusing prescription drugs, and don't allow unlimited access to them in your home. This is vital if you have teenagers, as they are the fastest growing group of pharmaceutical addicts. Know where your medicines are, and lock them up. If not, count the pills and if there are fewer than normal, start asking questions.

Addiction to pharmaceuticals can invade every facet of a person's life, but like addictions to street drugs and alcohol, if the problem is caught early, it can be minimized or eliminated. By being observant, keeping an open line of communication, knowing their routine and setting a good example yourself, you can indeed break the cycle of pharmaceutical addiction.