It comes to a stage in every parent-child relationship where more serious conversations need to be had. There are often a few key themes, sex of course being one. But there’s alcohol and drugs too, and with drug overdose rates among teens rising at a staggering rate, it’s more important than ever before.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that drugs are sometimes part of the teenage experience. While you can't prevent your teenager from experimenting, you can talk to them about the risks associated with drug use and help them make informed decisions. Here are five tips for having a meaningful conversation with your teen about drugs…
1. Make them aware of the risks
Drugs carry a range of physical, mental, and emotional risks. Make sure your teen knows this, and explain how using drugs may impact their health and relationships. Ask them if they understand the risks involved in taking drugs and whether they feel comfortable making decisions that could have serious consequences. Lancaster recovery services has very good resources if you need more information on this topic.
Additionally, if you yourself have had experiences with drugs, particularly bad ones, let them know your own experiences and what effect they had on you.
2. Establish a safe space for discussion
It's important that your teen feels comfortable and safe discussing drugs with you. Make sure they know that you are open to hearing their opinion and won't judge them for their views or actions. You can also let them know that you are there to support and protect them.
3. Don’t go overboard with the scaremongering
When talking with your teen, avoid using scare tactics or turning the conversation into a lecture. Instead, focus on having an open and honest conversation. Explain why you don't want them to take drugs, but also explain why you understand that some people do take drugs and don't condone it.
However, you should tell them what sort of path it can lead to, especially in the current climate with so many teens overdosing. But discuss the likes of addiction treatment, health risks, relationship breakdowns, and everything else that comes part and parcel with drug taking.
4. Provide them with alternative entertainment
Drug taking can often come from boredom. Encourage and enable them to do other things. Offer your teen other activities such as sports, art, music, or drama. It will help them through themselves into other things, where they will not only be with like-minded people but also in a safe space away from drugs.
5. Listen and answer questions
Make sure you give your teen the opportunity to ask questions and share their feelings. Listening is critical - it helps you understand where your teen is coming from and why they may be considering taking drugs. Be open and honest with your answers, but be careful not to offer too much information - focus on the risks and reality of drug use rather than personal opinions and anecdotes.
