Teens and Drugs

What you Need to Know

Why do teenagers take drugs? How do I know if my teen is on drugs? What can I do about it?

You may believe that the greatest harm that can come to your family with regard to teens and drugs is from some horrible chemical concoction bought in an alley way.

The truth is, most problems relate to the use of legal drugs like cigarettes, prescription medicines, and especially alcohol.

It’s is natural behavior for teens to experiment and to test limits and unfortunately, illegal drugs tick all the right boxes.

Don’t’ Panic!!

Research seems to show that the longer people wait before they try drugs the less likely it is that regular drug use or addiction occurs.

5 Important Things You Can Do About Teens and Drugs

• Maintain a good relationship with your teen. Be approachable, listen, and discuss rather than dictate.
• Choose your moment to talk about drugs and make sure you know what you are talking about.
• Keep your emotions and fears under control. Being angry and judgmental won’t help.
• Talk honestly about drugs you may use (remember that alcohol and prescription medicines are drugs).
• If you believe your teenager is on drugs, ask for help. Talk to your family doctor, school counsellor or support groups early on.

10 Reasons Why Teenagers Use Drugs

• To try something different or because they believe it will be fun.
• Because it was offered to them.
• They may have been curious about what it would be like.
• Everyone else was doing it.
• Rebellion – it’s fun to break rules.
• To feel better.
• To feel more confident.
• To relax and cope with stress or boredom.
• To have a ‘high’.
• To copy the people they look up to – this includes parents. Be careful of the example you set.

Teens and Drugs: Important Facts to Tell Your Teenager

That’s another good reason why it’s so important for you to talk to them yourself.

It’s true that using drugs recreationally and having an addiction to drugs are different things. However:

• Addiction will happen over time and with regular use. Do you know how many times it will take?
• It’s possible to become addicted to drugs faster than your friends.
• Illegal drugs are manufactured in unsafe labs and come with many risks and side effects. There is no control over what chemicals and fillers they contain and the people who make them don’t care if you get brain damage or die.
• It’s not just addicts that end up in casualty. You could get brain damage or die the very first time you try a drug.

Is Your Teenager At Risk?

Your teenager is more likely to be attracted to drugs if:

• Your teenager is not going to school.
• If they are bored.
• If they don’t have a job.
• If they don’t have hobbies or interests.

Teens and Drugs: Who Are Your Teenager’s Friends?

• Be involved in your teenager’s life. Know who their friends are.
• Be curious if your teen changes their group of friends. It could be that the new group are seen as ‘cool’, or rebels, or are into a range of activities that your teenager finds exciting. Drugs may be one of these things.
• If your teen becomes involved in a group you don’t like, please know that it can be counterproductive to ban your teen from the new group. It just makes them more appealing. Encourage your teen to keep in touch with other ‘safer’ friends. You could invite the parents over for a BBQ so the kids will have to socialize.
• If you think the situation is getting out of hand, and talking to your teen isn’t working, then don’t hesitate to talk to someone who has experience in this area. The school social worker can be a good place to start.

Build Your Teen's Resilience to Peer Pressure and Drugs

But there's no way you can block out all the dangerous things in life and control your teen's every move, and really, you wouldn't want to.

Instead, give them the tools they need to make good decisions for themselves and to know when their peers are doing things that aren't safe.

Read more here...

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...

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.

Read more here...