When raising a teenager, it’s natural to feel that there is little we can do to change his or her behavior. Furthermore, we often think that the child’s friends have much more influence over them than we do. However, clinical experience suggests that Mom and Dad are more important to their teenager than either realize. Parents can influence their teens, because teens truly care what their parents think. Studies show that kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use than those who don’t.
Here are some tips to help you discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol use with your teen:
• Use news reports or stories you’ve heard as conversation starters. If you see a news story about an alcohol-related car accident, point it out to your teen—especially if the accident left victims in its wake. If the story is about drugs in your community, talk about the ways your community has changed as drug use has grown.
• Talk about the toxic environments and situations your child may be exposed to. He can educate you about what he is seeing, as you can educate him about the facts and risks involved.
• Be very definite about how you feel about drug and alcohol use.
• Explain that drugs have serious, permanent consequences and put a person in risky, dangerous, and even deadly situations.
• Emphasize that he shouldn’t try drugs because anybody can become a chronic user or addict.
• Let him know how deeply disappointed you would be if he started using drugs.
• Emphasize what drug use can do to someone’s future.
• Discuss how abstaining from drug use will increase his chances of creating a successful future.
• Challenge your child to be a leader among his friends and to direct his group to a productive, drug-free path.
• Compliment your teen for the all the things he does well and for the positive choices he makes.
• Ask him to be a good role model for his younger siblings and other kids in the community. Let him know you appreciate his help.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call SAFE’s confidential, toll-free hotline, 24/7 at 1-866-569-SAFE (7233). If you have questions, email: ask@thesafefoundation.org.
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Provided by SAFE Foundation
