Teenagers and Drugs or Alcohol

What Can Parents Do About Teenagers and Drugs?

Teenagers and drugs.

Teenagers and alcohol.

Underage horror stories we read about in the newspapers every day.

It isn’t just teenagers from dysfunctional or violent homes that try drugs or use them on a regular basis.

Not all teenagers drinking are the children of alcoholics.

Often they are the children of very rational, well mannered people. The pillars of society.

So what is going on?

Teenagers are at an age where they start to make choices for themselves, to push away from their parents and to experiment in all that adult life offers.

You can still influence the decisions a teenager makes:

• By working on the relationship you have with them from a very young age.
• By setting them a good example.
• By talking openly with them about a wide range of topics including drugs.
• And by helping to build their confidence in decision making.

Give them the tools to avoid or resist the temptation and you’re getting them off to a good start.

Build Strength in Teenagers and Drugs or Alcohol Lose Their Power

• The most important influence in your child’s life is you, their parent. Set a good example.
• Build up a good relationship with your teen ? start when they are young. Know who their friends are, who their teachers are, what they are interested in.
• Give your child some responsibility. As your child gets older give them regular opportunities to make decisions for themselves. Everything from what takeaway the family might have for a treat, what new clothes they need, to looking after their own pet and getting an after school job.
• Encourage your teenager to have interests and hobbies. Support them and drive them to sport, music or other interests they may have. Teenagers often cite boredom as a reason for taking drugs.
• Keep your teen involved with the family. Take them (drag them) to tea with Great Aunt Doris or Christmas lunch with all the cousins. Have a regular family day. Choose a teen/child friendly activity like the beach, rollerblading, a movie and milkshake. Maybe even take your teen to a rock concert (if they can pretend you aren’t with them).
• Encourage your teenager to make friends from a variety of different sources. For example, from their school, from sport, from a hobby, etc. If they fall out with one group they still have the other friends to support them. Or if one group is using drugs your teen can drop them without losing their whole support network.
• Help your child build their self-esteem. Show them you love them and care about them. Notice the good things they do more often than the bad. Praise their achievements.
• Work on communication. Listen as much as talk. Practice being open and frank even while your teen is still a child so that they feel they can ask or talk to you about anything without criticism or ridicule.
• Work out an emergency “get out” plan with your teenager. For example, if they are out with friends and they don’t like what the others are doing, if they find themselves in a situation where they feel out of their depth, if they lose their money, or find themselves alcohol or drug affected. You might like to provide them with a pre-paid mobile, give your ok for them to get a taxi home(that you will pay for), and/or agree that you will come and pick them up no matter what time it is.
• Acknowledge your teenager’s growing responsibility or consistent good behavior with rewards. Extend their curfew or agree to an extra night out. Review house rules as your teen grows to make sure they haven’t been outgrown.

Your Teenager is Growing Up

Welcome their friends into your home, and continue to be interested in their activities and hobbies.

Teenagers and drugs or alcohol are a dangerous mix.

If you find that despite your best efforts none of these tips work for you, don’t hesitate to call on professional help. Seeking help is not a failure; it’s a positive step in the caring and nurturing of your family.

Is Your Teenager On Drugs?

It can be difficult to tell, and you certainly don't want to damage your relationship by raiding their room.

But there is something you can do.

Read more here...

Why Do Teenagers Take Drugs?

You can help them make better choices for themselves if you know what you are up against.

Read more here...

Teenagers Drinking Alcohol

Everyone enjoys a social drink or a cooling beer on a hot day. Just be aware that alcohol and teenagers is a dangerous mix.

It's easy to see that teenagers and drugs are a bad mix, but often parents aren't concerned about alcohol.

The truth is that alcohol ruins more lives than any other drug. Read more here...

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