Helping your teen avoid tobacco, drugs, and alcohol

The best course of action for parents to help prevent drug and alcohol abuse in their teenagers is to become involved before a drug problem develops. Talk honestly and openly about all kinds of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol as well as other things adolescents may do to try to get a "high."

Focus on the positive

• Discuss ways for your teen to make responsible choices, no matter what his or her friends are saying or doing.
• Praise your teenager's achievements. Never miss a chance to praise and build his or her self-esteem.
• Set a positive example for your teen. Stop smoking cigarettes if you can. Cigarettes tend to be a "gateway" drug for teens. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Never drink alcohol and drive. Also take drugs only as prescribed by your doctor.
• Help your teen get involved in sports, clubs, hobbies, and other activities. These activities can help teach teens that they can have fun without drugs and alcohol.
• Spend time with your teen. When you are involved in your teen's life, you show you care. You also get to know your teen's routines and can more easily recognize when he or she may be in situation where drugs or alcohol are involved.

Explain the dangers and consequences of tobacco, drug, or alcohol use

• Talk about the legal problems that can result from using drugs or alcohol. For example, a person younger than 18 can lose his or her driver's license or be sentenced to time in a detention center or community service.
• Address how people who are using drugs or alcohol can say or do things that they normally would not. It is easy to make bad choices and get into trouble. For example, people may end up driving while drunk or riding with someone who is drunk, or they may find themselves in an unsafe place.
• Set clear limits about what will happen if your teen uses drugs or alcohol. Follow through if those rules are broken. Don't make promises you will not keep. The prospect of parental disapproval is often one of the most powerful disincentives for teens. Remind your teen that you set these rules because you love your teen and don't want him or her to be hurt.
• Explain that inhalants are dangerous. Glue, shoe polish, and gasoline are the most common substances that adolescents inhale.¹ Make sure your child knows that these and other inhalants are harmful. Inhalant abuse can cause sudden serious health problems, such as seizures, or death from sudden heart failure.² It can cause permanent brain damage or other lifelong problems.²

Be aware that some adolescents and teens try to get a rush by cutting off oxygen to the brain, such as through choking or strangling each other. Talk to your child about these dangerous behaviors. Explain that they can result in lifelong problems or even death.

Peer pressure

Many teens feel pressured to use alcohol or drugs because some of their friends are using them. Here are some tips to teach your teen on how to deal with peer pressure.

Encourage your adolescent to:

• Hang out with friends who do not use drugs or alcohol. Then, if your child is asked to use drugs, he or she can take a stand and walk away as part of a group.
• Skip parties where your teen knows drugs or alcohol will be present.
• Practice or role-play things to say to friends who might try to get your teen to use drugs or alcohol. This helps your teen consider what might happen in advance and think about ways to say "no." Practice responses, such as:
  • "No thanks. I've got too much to do today."
  • "I'll just end up embarrassing myself."
  • "I've got to stay clean for basketball practice."
  • "My parents told me that they would ground me for 3 weeks if I use, and I don't want to take the chance of missing my friend's party."
• Get involved in drug-free activities. Talk about ways to ask friends to join too.
• Call you for a ride if he or she is in trouble or feels pressured by others to use drugs or alcohol. Let your teen know that you want to help no matter what the situation.

Citations

1. Wu L, et al. (2004). Inhalant abuse and dependence among adolescents in the United States. Journal of the American Academy of Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(10): 1206–1214.

2. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2005). What are the medical consequences of inhalant abuse? Research Report Series-Inhalant abuse. Available online: http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Inhalants/Inhalants4.html#Medical.