Many teenagers struggle with substance abuse these days. It's perennially a challenge that many teens and parents face. At first, it may be a bit difficult to spot the signs that your teen is experimenting with substances, but there are a few tell-tale signs that could give you a hint about this. Some parents are afraid they are overreacting to these subtle hints, but it's always better to err in the side of caution than find yourself and your teen in a more dire situation when the substance abuse becomes worse. People who have been battling addiction eventually become dependent on whatever they are addicted to. It becomes not just a psychological attachment but a physiological need as well. In other words, their body believes that they need this substance to survive. It leads to long-term repercussions and could be a lifelong struggle.

There are different ways to intervene in teens' substance abuse such as teen boot camps, troubled teens school, troubled teens programs, juvenile boot camps, and alternative high schools. However, the first challenge is confronting your child about a suspected substance abuse. If you have reason to believe that your teen may be experimenting with substances, here are a few suggestions on how to handle it:

1. Confrontation - There's no better way to find out than by asking. Ask your teen about whether they are experimenting with substances (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.). They may or may not be straightforward about it but you can always learn a lot from their reaction to your questions. Ask whether they have experimented with substances in the past or are currently experimenting on. Ask when they started experimenting. Listen very carefully to the answer and you'll probably also find out where your child is getting the substances he/she is experimenting with.

2. Talk about other concerns - Aside from substance abuse, talk to your child about other problems connected to this such as low grades, change in their circle of friends, personal hygiene, etcetera.

3. Talk about family rules - Remind your child that you are firm about house rules on not permitting substance abuse and even possession of substances. Make it clear that you expect him/her to stop with the experimentation.

4. Educate your child about the dangers - Young people often feel overconfident that they will be able to exercise control and stop using substances whenever they want to. They often don't go in a situation knowing what they will be up against. It's important to educate your child about the consequences or, if you feel uncomfortable or unequipped about it, you can also take your child to talk to a counselor about what substance dependency really means.

If you've missed the early symptoms and see that your child's substance abuse is getting out of hand, here are a few things you can do:

1. Gather information - Look through your teen's room to find clues on what substance/s your teen is abusing. Talk to his/her friends about it too.

2. Wait for a clear moment - Don't confront your teen when he/she is high, drunk, or under the influence of substances. Wait until your teen is lucid. Confronting somebody who is not in a normal state of mind can bring more harm than good.

3. Get professional help - It's important to get help not just for your teen but for your family as well. The sad truth is that addiction is something the family struggles with, not just the person involves. It changes the family dynamics and puts a lot of strain in the relationships.