What to Do After Finding Drugs or Alcohol in Your Child’s Room

With more and more teenagers experimenting with drugs and alcohol, we naturally have more and more parents wondering how to handle the situation. If you are worried that your child is using drugs or alcohol, or know that they are, you are not alone.

How Common is Teen Drug Use?

Across the nation, statistics show that drug and alcohol use amongst teens isn’t uncommon. According to their results:

• Over 46% of teens will use an illicit drug by the time they reach 12th grade.
• Over 2 million teens reported drug use within the last month.
• Nearly 11% of deaths from drug overdoses were in the 15-24 age range.

Pretty frightening numbers, right? They are especially concerning when you take into account that some experimental substance use turns into full-fledged addiction.

How Serious is Teen Drug and Alcohol Use?

Numerous studies have shown that the still-developing brains of teenagers suffer far more damage than that of long-term alcohol and drug use among adults. Using addictive substances at a young age also leads to a much higher likelihood of becoming dependent later in life. And yet, despite all the facts and figures, teenagers still gravitate towards these dangerous substances.

So, as a parent, what should you do? And how should you handle the situation?

7 Steps to Take After Finding Drugs or Alcohol in Your Child’s Room

When you find a drug or alcohol stash that belongs to your teenager, a wave of emotion will likely hit you like a ton of bricks. It may even feel like going from 0 to 100 in just a few seconds. First, you may be angry, which will be quickly followed by concern… and then, there’s the confusion.

But, before you act on any of those emotions, stop and collect yourself. Most experts agree there are some very specific actions that parents should take after finding a stash, including the following:

1. Take a Timeout

Though you’ll probably want to run in your teen’s room with the force of a hurricane, don’t let yourself do it. You’ll be at your most emotional and, more than likely, volatile. And think about it; setting that tone all but guarantees the conversation is going nowhere. You don’t want your child to shut down; you want them to talk to you. Give yourself some time to cool down, collect your thoughts and figure out exactly what you want to say.

2. Go in Prepared

You’re going to need to be prepared for this conversation, and for the possibility of what you might hear. Do some research about the drugs, put a call in to your family doctor, or reach out to a local addiction expert. Find out what you’re dealing with, some signs and symptoms of teenage drug misuse and addiction. If they feel like you’re educated on the substance, they are likely to pay attention. But if you talk about marijuana like it’s the same thing as crystal meth, the conversation’s doomed.

3. Set Solid Ground Rules

After they know you’re informed and understands the risks, you need to make it clear that you will not tolerate drug or alcohol use. That means no using at home, at a friend’s house, at school – no substance misuse means no substance misuse. Explain the consequences for breaking these rules and be very specific about them. Once they agree, it’s up to you to enforce those rules. Failure to stick to your own ground rules is detrimental.

4. Let Them Talk

Don’t make the conversation a one-sided lecture. Talking to someone about their alcohol use or drug use without allowing them to contribute to the conversation can make things worse. So, ask questions. Give your teen the opportunity to explain where they got the drugs and why they felt the need to use or experiment with them. In many cases, drug and alcohol misuse among teens is done to mask symptoms of depression or feelings of low self-esteem.

5. Show Your Support

Although you need to position yourself as an authority figure, make it clear to your teen that you love and care for them. This is the time to set up a line of communication with your teenager; you don’t want to make it feel as if they can’t come to you with questions or concerns. The more they can talk to you about these things, the better. Make it clear that they don’t have to be afraid of punishment when they confide in you.

6. Use Available Resources

No parent wants to think their teenager is already struggling with an addiction, but it does happen. If your child’s drug use is advanced, you’ll want to search out and utilize local resources. Addiction isn’t something you can ignore and just hope it goes away. Start by looking to your family physician for some names and phone numbers of local resources. There are also organizations like alcoholics anonymous (AA) and narcotics anonymous (NA) for teens. And, of course, evidence-based addiction treatment for teens can lead to positive health outcomes. Be open to all the help you can find, then work with your teen to figure out which resources fit them best.

7. Talk to Them About The Dangers of Drug or Alcohol Use

It’s likely that your teen already has a general understanding of some of the dangers of drug or alcohol use, but don’t let that stop you from talking about these dangers and more. Take some time educating yourself about substance misuse and addiction so you can explain to your teen how easy it is to become unintentionally addicted. Spend time talking to them about overdose and how quickly it can occur, as well as what to do in the event of an overdose. Explain the physical and psychological risks that can last long after they stop using drugs or alcohol and how those can negatively impact the rest of their lives. Focus on giving them space to ask questions and learn rather than trying to convince them to go to rehab.

How To Find A Drug or Alcohol Treatment Center for Teens

If your teen is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it’s important to remember that there is help available. If you’re looking for addiction treatment for a child or teen, reach out to us at American Addiction Centers right now. Our rehab admissions navigators are waiting for your call and can answer all the questions you may have, including how to use health insurance coverage for rehab.

Additionally, you can access the rehabs.com directory any time day or night, which can connect you with hundreds of rehabs across the nation and help you find facilities with specialized treatment tracks for teenagers struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.

Do not wait any longer to get your teen the help they need. At American Addiction Centers, we offer several levels of care that can guide your teen towards recovery, including medical detox, inpatient drug and alcohol rehab, outpatient addiction treatment programs, and more. Call us right now at to have your insurance verified and get started on your child’s next steps.

Additional Reading: 7 Addiction Myths About Teens and Their Parents