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How To Help Prevent Your Teen From Using Drugs And Alcohol

Woman preventing teens from using drugs and alcohol The Bluffs Addiction Campuses
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Teens and young adults can hear about drug and alcohol use on TV, radio, news, online, in movies and even at school. A person is most likely to start trying drugs during their teenage years. Starting drug or alcohol use as a teen can lead to drug or alcohol addiction and other health problems when they grow up.

Do you need an addiction treatment program? Call us today at 850.374.5331 for more information.

Prevention Methods

Many teens who use drugs or alcohol will stop use, but addiction is still a risk. There are many things a parent can do to help prevent your teen from using drugs and alcohol. Some preventative measures include:

Open communication

Talk to your teen about taking drugs and what effects they can have. Let them know how drug or alcohol use can harm their health, relationships and potentially their future. Let them know how you feel about them abusing drugs and/or alcohol and why they aren’t supposed to.

Texting your teen

Sending positive text messages to your teen or following up on a conversation with a text can remind them of your conversation. You don’t have to use shorthand texting language, just text the way you talk or use the speak-to-text option on your phone.

Getting involved in their life

Spend time together, and give your child your full attention. Turn off the TV, cell phone or computer and really listen to what they have to say. Try to have regular, device-free, family dinners. Teens respond well when they feel respected and listened to.

Knowing where your teen is and what they’re doing

Keeping track of your kids can help you protect them and gives them fewer opportunities to use drugs or alcohol.

Setting clear rules and enforce them fairly

Children, and especially teens, need rules. This is what gives them structure and makes them feel safe and loved. It is also how they learn for themselves what is safe and what can get them into trouble.

Setting a good example for your teen

Even if you don’t think so, teens look up to their parents. Show them how you handle stressful situations and difficult people, so they can learn how to handle these situations as well.

Talking About Teen Drug and Alcohol Use

Teach your teen how to refuse drugs and alcohol. Often, teens start abusing drugs or alcohol because they want to fit in with other kids. Help them practice how to say “no” if someone offers them drugs or alcohol. Teach them that people who pressure them to do things they are uncomfortable with may not be good friends to have or keep.
Make your home safe. It is important to know the people you have in the house and avoid having people who use drugs and alcohol there. Keep track of medications and cleaning products you have in the house.

Drug and/or alcohol use is largely preventable. Talking with your teen about the risks of drug or alcohol use can help educate them on things they may or may not know. Make sure you are listening and allowing them to ask questions.

Choose a time when you’re not likely to be interrupted, and set phones to silent. If you’re anxious, share your feelings with your teen. The more honest and vulnerable you are with your thoughts and feelings the more likely your teen will be open and honest with you.

The Mayo Clinic makes the following suggestions for talking to your teen about drugs and alcohol:

Ask your teen about their thoughts and feelings

Avoid lecturing. Instead, listen to your teen’s opinions and questions about drugs or alcohol. Make sure your teen knows they can be honest with you. Be aware of your teen’s body language to see how they really feel about the topic.

Discuss reasons not to use drugs or alcohol

Avoid scare tactics, as teens can see right through this. Emphasize how drug or alcohol use can affect things that are important to your teen, like sports, driving, health, and appearance.

Consider messages in the media

Some TV programs, movies, websites or songs can glamorize or trivialize drug or alcohol use. Talk to your teen about what they see and hear and answer any questions they have.

Discuss ways to resist peer pressure

Brainstorm with your teen about how to turn down offers of drugs or alcohol. Provide your teen with an easy “out.” Teach them excuses, such as “I can’t drink/use drugs because my parents drug test me,” or “I can’t get high because I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and they may need a urine sample.” You could also consider setting up a discreet code your teen can use in a text message or phone call to you when they are in an uncomfortable situation.

Be ready to discuss your own drug and alcohol use. Think about how you’ll respond if your teen asks about your own drug and alcohol use. If you choose not to use drugs, explain why. If you did use drugs, share what the experience taught you.

Why Teens use Drugs And Alcohol

There are various factors that can contribute to teen drug and alcohol use. Some teens who do drugs feel indestructible and may take dangerous risks, like abusing drugs or alcohol. Others may fall to peer pressure and consequently, drink underage or experiment with drugs like marijuana. Some may even try performance-enhancing substances to boost their fitness or fit in. Teens often do not consider the consequences of their actions and therefore may use drugs and alcohol without realizing their dangers or that these substances could be gateway drugs.

Research has shown that the key risk periods for drug and alcohol use occur during major transitions in children’s lives. These transitions include significant changes in physical development, like puberty, or social situations, such as moving or parents divorcing, when children experience heightened vulnerability for problem behaviors.

Risks of drug and alcohol use appear at every transition from early childhood through young adulthood, so prevention planners need to consider their target audiences and implement programs that provide support appropriate for each developmental stage.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, many youth do not progress beyond initial drug or alcohol use, but a small percentage quickly escalate their substance use. Research has shown that youth are most likely to experience a combination of high levels of risk factors and low protective factors. These adolescents were characterized by high stress, low parental support, and low academic competence.

Treatment For Teens Struggling With Addiction

If you suspect that your teen is experimenting with drugs or alcohol, or that their drug use is starting to escalate, it may be time to seek help. Talk to a counselor at your child’s school, or reach out to one of our substance use counselors.

To learn more about how to prevent your teen from abusing drugs or alcohol, contact us today at 850.374.5331.

The Bluffs is a private alcohol, substance abuse and mental health treatment facility located in central Ohio.

The central Ohio location means we are also just a short drive (or even shorter flight) from Pittsburgh and other parts of Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan.

We offer alcohol and drug detox services, dual-diagnosis addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and more.

Our goal is always to minimize the out-of-pocket costs for patients coming to The Bluffs. We work with many major health insurance plans and providers such as America’s Choice Provider Network, Anthem, Beacon Health Options, BlueCross BlueShield, First Health Network, Humana, Magellan Health, Medical Mutual of Ohio, Mercy Health, OhioHealth, Prime Healthcare, UPMC Health Plan, and the Ohio Department of Veteran Services

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