by Dominica Applegate
Pros And Cons Of Using Drug Test Kits For Your Teen
Table of Contents
Teens. One minute you’re sitting around laughing with them and the next they’re yelling at you about how unfair it is that they have a curfew. The truth is that the teen years can be a bit of a challenge at times. One day you’re bragging to your co-workers that your teen came home and cleaned the entire kitchen without being asked four times and the next you’re venting to them about how disrespectful he was that morning.
Yes, teens will be teens, but what about those parents that are wondering if they’re teens are using drugs? They may see signs of addiction, yet they have no proof and the teen certainly isn’t offering a confession.
While it is tempting to purchase a drug test and test your teen at home, you may also wonder how that will go over with your teen. Will he feel violated? Angry? Will it sever the relationship? You may also become stressed out thinking that the test will come back positive. How will you react? What will you do? It’s very common to feel this way as a parent, so know that you’re not alone in the way you’re feeling.
Home drug test kits have been around for many years and come in handy for parents who cannot trust that their teens are telling the truth about drug use. While they may not test for every drug out there, they do test for quite a few of them. They’re also quite affordable, with marijuana tests costing only $1 and 12 panel drug test kits for less than $10, testing for drugs such as cocaine, opiates, pain pills, marijuana, and more.
But should you really drug test your teen at home? Is it worth the possible jeopardizing of your relationship?
Today, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of doing so.
Pros of teen drug testing
- You learn the truth. If the test comes back positive for drugs, you get to act. You get to sit down with your teen and have a serious conversation. You may be able to address the situation without it growing into an addiction or something bad happening.
- You get to be actively involved in your teen’s life regarding drug use. You’re not just shrugging it off hoping for the best. You’re being proactive.
- You can let your teen know you’ll be doing random drug testing. This may be enough for your teen to “Just Say No” when peers pressure him at school to try drugs.
- You get to practice open and honest communication with your teen. Don’t let it become a trust issue. Just make it part of life as a teenager.
Cons of teen drug testing
- You may create conflict between you and you’re teen. He may get angry and become resentful, thinking that you don’t trust him. He may stop talking to you and make you out to be the worst parent around. But do keep in mind he may have already done that to you various times when he did not get his way.
- Your teen could begin using drugs that aren’t being screened in the drug test kit you are using.
- There is a very slight chance the test could produce false results, (false positive) which can really cause some upheaval in the home. The teen adamantly stating he’s innocent, but the results stating otherwise. Some cold medications can cause a false-positive, as well as antibiotics. Doing a second drug test is recommended just to be sure.
How should you give a drug test?
You can randomly give a drug test or you can let your teen know when you’ll be giving one. It may seem awkward, but you can do your best to keep it light and non-confrontational. Decide ahead of time what you will do if the test comes back positive or negative. You may want to reward your teen for negative results and of course, have consequences for positive results, you can always get more detailed information from an expert like Dr Burkhart who will be happy to help you.
Back in 2007, The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement that said, “Drug testing poses substantial risks—in particular, the risk of harming the parent-child relationship by creating an environment of resentment, distrust, and suspicion.” However, many counselors disagree. They feel that drug testing may be helpful for teens to resist the peer pressure associate with drugs.
Are you thinking of drug testing your teen? If so, keep these pros and cons in mind before you make that final decision.
Should I drug test my teenager at home?
It depends on your situation. Home drug tests can reveal the truth early and give you the chance to address drug use before it becomes a serious addiction. The main risk is damaging trust if your teen feels accused rather than cared for. If you decide to test, keep it calm, treat it as a matter of safety rather than an accusation, and have a plan in place for how you will respond — whether the result is positive or negative.
What are the benefits of drug testing your teen?
The biggest benefit is early detection. If the test comes back positive, you can sit down with your teen and address the situation before it escalates. Letting your teen know random testing may happen can also serve as a deterrent — it gives them an easy out when peers pressure them to try drugs. It also keeps you actively involved rather than simply hoping for the best.
Can home drug testing damage my relationship with my teenager?
It can if it is handled poorly. A teen who feels unfairly accused may become angry and withdrawn. Being transparent about why you are doing it — that you love them and want to keep them safe — and not framing it as an accusation of guilt can protect the relationship. The American Academy of Pediatrics has cautioned that poorly handled drug testing can create resentment and distrust, so the how matters as much as the whether.
How should I handle a positive drug test result with my teen?
Decide before testing what your response will be for both positive and negative results. If the result is positive, sit down for a serious but non-confrontational conversation. Let your teen know you are concerned and that you are on their side. Consider involving a clinical counselor who can do a proper evaluation — they are trained to reach teens on these topics in ways that parents sometimes cannot.
Biography
https://rediscoveringsacredness.com/ Check out these Books by Dominica on Amazon: Shadow Work - tracking & Healing Emotional Triggers Mindfully: A Guided Journal & Workbook Awakening Self-Love: An Open-Hearted, Inner Healing Journaling Adventure (90-Day Guided Journal
Dominica Applegate is an author, writer, and transpersonal spiritual mentor. Earning her BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling, she worked 12 years in the mental health field before diving full-time into writing.
She has authored many popular articles and a series of guided journals on the topics of inner healing work, conscious relationships, and spiritual awakening. She runs Rediscovering Sacredness, an online platform that offers inspiration, essays, resources, and tools to help heal emotional pain and increase peace and joy.
Into the Wild Shadow Work Journal: Reclaim Your Wholeness
https://rediscoveringsacredness.com/
Dominica Applegate is an author, writer, and transpersonal spiritual mentor. Earning her BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling, she worked 12 years in the mental health field before diving full-time into writing.
She has authored many popular articles and a series of guided journals on the topics of inner healing work, conscious relationships, and spiritual awakening. She runs Rediscovering Sacredness, an online platform that offers inspiration, essays, resources, and tools to help heal emotional pain and increase peace and joy.
Check out these Books by Dominica on Amazon:
Into the Wild Shadow Work Journal: Reclaim Your Wholeness
Shadow Work - tracking & Healing Emotional Triggers Mindfully: A Guided Journal & Workbook
Awakening Self-Love: An Open-Hearted, Inner Healing Journaling Adventure (90-Day Guided Journal
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