Talking About Drug Abuse

It can be hard for parents to talk with their children about avoiding drug use. But many experts agree that communication is essential.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, parents can encourage dialogue with their children, starting at a very young age. In fact, many parents may find it easier to communicate with their children if they start when the children are young.

It's also important to remember that talking about drugs means talking about tobacco and alcohol, as well as prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. (Read about "Alcoholism" "Quit Smoking") They are often called gateway drugs because according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) they can lead to other drugs. AAP points to the following:

• Alcohol and tobacco are usually the first drugs that young people try.
• High school seniors who smoke every day are 10 times more likely to use cocaine regularly than are seniors who don't smoke on a regular basis.
• Adolescents who drink heavily or who "binge drink" are more likely to use other drugs than non-drinkers or moderate drinkers.
• The family medicine cabinet is often the source for both prescription and OTC medications

Using tobacco and alcohol doesn't mean someone is destined to move on to other drugs, but according to AAP it does make it easier for children to learn behaviors that can lead to illegal drug use, as well as abuse of legal medications. Things they may learn include:

• how to get illegal drugs or prescription drugs
• how much to take to get a high
• how to control and mask the side effects
• how to hide what they are doing from parents, friends, teachers and others
• how to suppress any regrets or guilt

So what to do? The Department of Education has these suggestions:

• Talk about values - Children who have strong convictions based on social, family and religious values may find it easier to say no to drugs.
• Examine your own behaviors - Children tend to imitate their parents, so it's important for parents to consider their own behavior with regard to alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
• Be consistent - Parents need to establish guidelines for their children in all areas of behavior and maintain those standards consistently.
• Keep the lines of communication open - As children get older they still need to hear from mom and dad about what is right and wrong and know they can come to their parents with problems. (Read about "Teen Health Risks")
• Get information - Parents should do research so they know about the different types of drugs that may be available to their children and can recognize the signs of alcohol or drug use. Parents should also be aware that sometimes, substance abuse doesn't even involve drugs. For example, an increasing practice among adolescents called huffing involves the inhalation of chemical vapors from a variety of substances, many of which are common household products.
• Listen - Children who feel comfortable talking with their parents are most likely to come to them when they have questions or concerns about drugs or other problems.
• Be specific - Talk about the specific dangers of drug and alcohol use, instead of speaking only in generalities.
• Focus on outside interests - Encourage participation in sports and after-school activities, including local anti-drug organizations.
• Be aware of friends and acquaintances - Parents aren't the only influences in their children's lives. Peer pressure can often be overwhelming.
• Pay attention to changes - It's important for parents to be aware of changes in a child's behavior, such as withdrawal from friends, sudden hostility or depression, slipping grades, changes in sleep patterns or excessive concern about weight or size. These can be signs of drug use or worse. (Read about "Depressive Illnesses" "Violence and Abuse" "Anabolic Steroids" "Suicide Prevention")

Work and other responsibilities may make it difficult for parents to spend as much time as they want with their children. But by establishing good patterns and solid communication skills early on, parents can hopefully maintain a positive and healthy influence on their children throughout their lives.

Related Information:

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