Dr Dotun Ajiboye, a psycho-socialist, on Sunday advised parents and guardians to consult a mental health professional immediately they noticed substance use in a child, to prevent addiction.
Ajiboye, in an interview in Abuja said that immediately parents or guardians noticed the signs of drug abuse, proper and enlightened steps should be taken.
He said that psychoactive substances were any that altered one’s mood, thoughts, behaviour, consciousness, judgment, and sensory perception.
According to him, they can be legal or illegal psychoactive substances.
“Before you go into spiritual intervention, try to follow your mental health professional’s advice. The child may need rehabilitation as well,” he said.
Ajiboye advised parents to strive to know what led to the child’s substance abuse.
According to him, it is very important for every parent and guardian to know the root cause of substance abuse in their children.
He said the knowledge would help to prevent relapse, adding that there was need to identify internal triggers that influenced a child to abusing drugs.
“The following emotions or feelings are common internal triggers; it includes frustration, anger, guilt, anxiety, exhaustion, worries, depressiom,” he said.
According to him, external triggers that influence a child to abuse drugs should be identified as well.
“The following are possible external triggers, Friday night hangouts after work, love of money, a bar or club, friends who use drugs, musical concerts and many more.
“Parents should give godly guide on how to avoid or live above these triggers,” Ajiboye said.
He said that though prayers destroyed the root causes and deception or myths, the child might have gotten or learned concerning substance use.
“However, don’t overlook the counsel of your mental health professional,” he said.
The expert said that the challenges faced by substance abusers could be categorised as health, family, social, financial, occupational, legal and academic challenges.
He noted that the mostly used psychoactive drugs included alcohol, amphetamines, paints, anabolic steroids, glue, caffeine, laterine fumes and cannabis.
“Others are petrol, cocaine, Banku-inferior cocaine, gegemu (Yoruba name), codiene, ecstasy, heroine, inhalants, nicotine/cigarrette, opiates, rohypnol,
tramadol, and pentatocine.”
