Be a good role model. Your own behaviors send a direct message to your teen, whether you know it or not. Do not use drugs, and use prescription medicines only as directed. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Meet and get to know your teen's friends. If possible, meet their parents too. Encourage your teen to invite friends over so you can get to know them better. If you think a friend is a bad influence, do not hesitate to step in or encourage your child to make other friends.
Set clear rules for your teen about drug use. This may include not riding in a car with kids who have been doing drugs and not staying at a party where anyone is doing drugs.
Know what your teen is doing. Teens who are unsupervised are more likely to experiment with drugs. Keep tabs on where your teen is and who they are with. Ask your teen to check in with you at certain times of the day, such as after school.
Encourage healthy activities. Hobbies, clubs, sports, and part-time jobs are all great ways to keep teens busy. By staying active, your teen will have less time to get involved with drug use.
Talking With Your Teen About Drugs
It is not easy, but it is important to talk with your teen about drugs.
It is one of the best ways to prevent teen drug use. Here are some tips:
Do not make it one "big talk." Instead, have ongoing conversations about drugs with your teen. Use news stories, TV shows, or movies as a starting point for conversations.
Do not lecture. Instead, ask open-ended questions like, "Why do you think those kids were using drugs?" or, "Have you ever been offered drugs?" Your teen may respond in a more positive way if you have a reaLet your teen know how you feel. Make it clear to your teen that you do not approve of drug use.
Give your teen time to talk and listen without interrupting. This will show that you care about your child's opinion.
Spend some time every day talking about what is going on in your teen's life. This will make it easier to talk when tougher subjects come up, like alcohol, drugs.
If a teen admits to taking drugs:
Parents shouldn't overreact if their teen comes clean about using drugs. Overreacting or lashing out can prevent a teen from opening up about their experience. Getting teens to talk is important to determine if their drug use was a one-time thing or if it's becoming a problem.
Parents should explain how they care about their child and the child's future. Teens who feel supported and loved are also more likely to stop experimenting with drugs or seek help if they have an addiction.
If a teen denies drug use:
Naturally, there is a possibility that teens may lie about their drug use. Parents should reassure their child that they are concerned and want to help.
If a teen continues denying using drugs but the parent still suspects untruthfulness, a home drug test or professional help can uncover a teen drug problem. Therapists, pediatricians and addiction specialists can help diagnose a teen drug problem.
Common Drugs that Teens use
The most common drugs used by teens aren't much different from those of adults. But the reasons for using may be different as teens often use a substance based on its accessibility. Teens are also more likely to take excessive amounts of drugs and alcohol because of how they perceive the risks and dangers.
Alcohol
Alcohol is the substance most commonly used by teens. The social acceptance of drinking among people of legal drinking age can lead many teens to view alcohol as relatively harmless. Research suggests teens are more likely to binge drink because their impulse control hasn't fully developed.
Approximately 20 percent of 12th graders reported binge drinking in 2014. Nearly 40 percent had used alcohol in the last month.l conversation.
You must be logged in to post a comment.