How to Help Your Teen Avoid Substance Abuse

Substance abuse touches all of our lives, whether it affects our community, our friends and family, or ourselves. As a parent, one of the greatest fears is the thought of our children having to struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

According to a recent study, Utah has the 8th highest rate in the country for drug overdose death, and teen substance abuse rates are high - 8.8 percent use drugs and 11.6 percent abuse alcohol.

What can I do to prevent substance abuse?

1. Have a conversation with your teen. You may need to ask direct questions multiple times, but having open and non-confrontational communication will create a relationship where they feel open to discuss and ask questions. Ask your teen for their views on drugs and alcohol.
2. Teach younger children about your concerns with substances harmful to their body. Discuss reasons not to abuse drugs or alcohol. (e.g. its impact on participation in sports, driving, health, and appearance.)
3. Talk about peer pressure or other situations he or she may feel uncomfortable about. Brainstorm ways to resist peer pressure. Explain peer pressure is hard to notice sometimes.
4. Set a good example for your kids. Consume alcohol in moderation and if you have a substance abuse problem, seek treatment (or encourage a partner or family member to.)
5. Get involved. Know where your teen is going and who they will be with. Find out who your their friends are as well as their parents. Find out what positive activities they are interested in and encourage them to get involved.

What can I do to help my teen overcome substance abuse?

1. Explain that addiction is a disease. There are many programs and resources geared toward teen substance abuse that you can utilize.
2. Try to remain level-headed (hard to do, right?) if your teen talks to you about times he/she has been around or taken part in using drugs or alcohol. Praise him/her for making good decisions.
3. Remind your teen that substance use doesn’t solve problems. Teach your teen other ways of coping with difficult situations such as journaling, deep breathing, and talking to friends, etc.
4. Establish rules and consequences. Communicate clearly what your expectations are in regards to drug use and agree on consequences ahead of time. Make sure to be consistent in enforcing those rules.
5. If you believe your teen is involved in significant drug use, contact a doctor, counselor or other health care provider who specializes in adolescent substance abuse.

It’s never too late to start talking with your child. Open conversations can help you and your teen maintain a close relationship and choose the best course of action.

For more information, visit:

KidsHealth - Alcohol and Kids

Teen drug abuse: Help your teen avoid drugs

4 ways to celebrate National Recovery Month

About the Author

Sara Bybee, LCSW

Sara graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University and moved to Salt Lake City in 2012. Since then, she has been working with Safe & Healthy Families and has been enjoying all that the Southwest has to offer. In her free time, she loves hiking, biking, running, taking her dogs to the park, speaking Spanish, learning about other cultures, cooking, and baking

http://primarychildrens.org

Share This Article