Teens are at a vulnerable age in their lives, often experimenting with many things and pushing the limits of the rules—this means that a number of them may think about trying out drugs or alcohol. But any amount of substance use can place your teen at risk of the consequences, including addiction, and addiction recovery is a stressful time for everyone. Rather than waiting for the worst to happen, experts say that parents should focus on prevention—and that all starts at home.
The Numbers Are Low, But the Risk Remains
Although substance use among teenagers remains at historic lows, research from the Drug Free America Foundation indicates an uptick in cocaine and heroin use in high school students across all grade levels. Additionally, e-cigarettes and cannabis products are now designed to be more discreet, enabling teens to use them without detection by adults.
Again, all substance use is harmful to teenagers, and even infrequent experimentation can increase the risk of addiction and health issues, making prevention important.
It Starts At Home
The most effective prevention begins at an early age, with research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse showing that teens with parents who talk regularly about the risks of substance abuse are significantly less likely to use drugs.
But that doesn’t mean you should preach about why you think drugs are the worst thing in the world; this is the best way to make your teen tune you out. Instead, the experts at Clearfork Academy say that it’s better for the topic to be discussed naturally: rather than scheduling a “drug talk,” use an overheard news story, a scene from a TV show, or other occurrences to naturally lead into a conversation about the dangers and legal consequences of substance use.
You should also practice refusal skills through role-playing scenarios with your teen. It doesn’t matter how awkward it feels for both of you; role-playing will build a stronger neural pathway for refusal if a real situation arises among their peers. Additionally, if you notice your teen practicing this in their daily life, you should praise them for their maturity and bravery, as positive reinforcement will encourage the behavior.
Keep Your Teen Engaged
A busy kid has no time to hang out with the wrong crowd and try out substances. That’s why it’s also important for you to encourage hobbies or community involvement, as teens who feel engaged tend to have a stronger sense of identity and fulfillment. Examples include sports, arts programs, volunteer work, or part-time jobs; really, anything that your teen enjoys that isn’t harming them is fair game.
As a parent, you should also strive to spend time with your teen. Children who feel close to at least one caregiver are less likely to turn to substances when stressed, lonely, or facing peer pressure.
Do NOT Provide Your Own Substances
Finally, you should never provide alcohol or drugs. Access even in a controlled environment will normalize use, placing the teen at increased risk of seeking substances independently.
Basically, set a good example, encourage good behavior, and make sure you consistently reinforce the consequences of substance use. Sure, treatments for addiction do exist if the worst happens, but prevention will save everyone the heartache before it can even happen.