Teen drug abuse is real and for parents to have an impact on the decisions their kids make, they need to keep their responses ‘real’ too. The time to get involved is now. Don’t wait until you suspect a problem; taking a proactive stand can significantly alter the course of your child’s life.
Research has proven that the primary way to prevent teenage drug abuse is for parents to become a central and guiding influence in the child’s life. Teenagers want their parents’ trust and respect and it’s this single factor that keeps kids off drugs. But developing this kind of relationship requires the application of a few key principles.
- Knowledge is Power
Before talking to your kids about drugs, parents need to do their homework. Get the latest facts from websites like www.TheAntiDrug.com or www.freevibe.com
The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information is another excellent resource and can be reached at 1-800-788-2800
- Talk to Your Child
If you suspect drug use, plan to talk to your teen when you are calm. Make sure both of you have plenty of time to talk. Be honest about your feelings. Sure you’re angry, but are you worried and disappointed too? Tell your child. Encourage a real sharing of feelings.
- Listen to Your Child
A teen on drugs is a teen who is troubled. Find out why drugs became an answer. Listen as your child expresses feelings of fear, stress or anger. Allow these emotions to be articulated without condemnation.
- Determine the Level of Involvement
Did your child try drugs once at a party out of curiosity or is your teen regularly using drugs? Are there certain friends who are promoting drug use? Where do they get the drugs? While all of these questions will help you determine the best course of action, don’t make your conversation sound like a police interrogation. Encourage your child to talk, reminding him that you need answers in order to help. Stress that you are not out to punish this behavior, but rather you want to promote a healthier and happier lifestyle for the teen.
- Set Ground Rules
Once you understand your child’s involvement with drugs, you need to set up some rules. Once again, these rules are not meant as punishment, but they are needed to keep the flow of communication between you and your teen possible. Hiding drug abuse is a form of lying and honest communication stops at that point. You may need to set up a curfew or even prohibit certain friends from coming to your house.
- Talk to Your Child…Again
Don’t think one conversation is enough. Engage your teen in talks on a regular basis. Stay in touch with their lives, their studies and their friends. Ask questions and be sure to give honest answers in return. When your child sees that you are making a genuine effort to connect with their life, positive changes can occur. Stay talking, guard against angry feelings and don’t be ashamed to hug your child. The power of a loving touch can do wonders.
Each day, about 4,700 young people under age 18 try marijuana for the first time. Eighth grade students report that at least half of them have tried alcohol. Yes, the numbers are high, turning the odds against you.
But parents who are committed to the well being of their children don’t need odds on their side because they have a determined love to do whatever it takes to keep their children safe and happy.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for laying these things out. I did not know where to start. Now that I do, I can have the conversation that I have put off for too long. Thank you so much for laying it all out there, also for the resource links. I wanted to get more facts.
thanks for the blog post.
I like the list. It is so important to talk our children about drugs and alcohol. I think a lot of parents neglect to do this because they are afraid of the answers, but I ask, isn’t it more frightening to deal with addictive behavior after it is off and running?
When I was 18, my aunt taught me how to wrap a marijuana leaves. She insisted me to use it because according to her it will give me appetite for food because i am so thin then. She also told me that it will also sharpen my memory about my studies. She uses marijuana in front of me, she’s teasing me to use it. I already know the smell of it and how to use it but at the back of my mind, I am scared about the so called trip or hallucination if ever i tried even once. I am always seeking concern from others because i didn’t grew up with love and concern from my own family but I found myself talking to GOD and beg for his assistance in times that my weaknesses attacks me. I know the feeling of those person who are into addiction, but all I can say, have faith and trust everything to our Almighty God because he will not fall us astray.