In 2019, more than 70,000 people died from drug-involved overdoses, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids in America. The increasingly growing figure of deaths due to drug overdose and addiction points towards more than just a crisis of prescription pills. Deaths that involved Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and psychostimulants have risen significantly.

Fentanyl is not like ordinary drugs. Its addiction is a greater problem. In fact, one can think of it as mass poisoning instead of a traditional drug epidemic. It’s getting more difficult to confront the crisis because it takes more than interrupting the supply chain. Controversial responses like supervised drug consumption sites and fentanyl test strips are making it even harder.

While it will take a bigger and more responsible system to change things around drug supply and addiction, treating the already addicted people is the utmost concern. And parents can play a greater role in this direction.

How to Get Ready to Talk to Your Child about Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

It can be very confusing and challenging to talk to your child about drug addiction, especially if your child, like many teenagers, doesn’t like to share things with you.

  • If you have been informed by someone or find out yourself that your child is or might be using Fentanyl, the first step is to be sure of whether your child is currently under the influence of Fentanyl. Individuals who are addicted to drugs and are provoked inappropriately can behave erratically or violently. If your child is under the influence at the time you want to address the issue of drug misuse and addiction, it is better to wait until he or she is sober.
  • Meanwhile, do some investigation on what other drugs your child is using along with Fentanyl. Observe signs and changes in the behavior and health of your kid. Keep track by making a journal and also includes specifics, like date, time, and other details whenever possible.
  • Then, look for drugs used by your child and drug paraphernalia in your child’s room as well as the vehicle he/she uses. Get mentally prepared as your child might accuse you of snooping or violating his/her privacy. Defend your actions in a way that your child is least offended.
  • If you are married, then talk to your partner about your plan on confronting your child about drug addiction. Ideally, your spouse would want to participate in the conversation and support you or act as a mediator.
  • Have an idea of what to expect as you know your child the best. If not, you can talk to his/her friends who don’t do drugs and ask them to help you understand your child more. Remember that it is not a one-time conversation. Rather, you will need to talk to your child regularly to convince him/her to get Fentanyl addiction treatment in the nearby facility.
  • Make sure that you let your child know that you will be very supportive the whole time and how treating Fentanyl (or any drug) addiction can change his/her life in so many ways.
  • If you find that your child needs immediate medical help, contact a professional addiction specialist right away who can run tests to find if your child has been using drugs, the severity and length of drug use, which drugs are still in your child’s body, and how much damage has been done, if any.

As a parent, your relationship with your children greatly impacts how they perceive drugs and what life-altering decisions they potentially make. So, always stay in tune with what’s going on in your children’s lives no matter how busy you are.