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Forget the shady dealer lurking in the school parking lot or local teen hangout. For many kids today, acquiring their drug of choice doesn’t even require leaving the house—just a walk to the medicine cabinet. In the latest youth risk behavior survey by the Centers for Disease Control, at least 20 percent of high school students admitted to taking a prescription drug that had not been prescribed to them. And a recent government survey estimates that 2,500 kids between 12 and 17 abuse a prescription pain reliever for the first time every day—a number that translates to nearly a million young users a year. How can you tell if your child might be among them? And what should you do if you suspect or you know your child is using? The Partnership at Drugfree.org offers these tips:
If You Think Your Child is Using
• Come right out and ask. If your teen is honest with you, you’ll get a clearer picture of what’s going on and what you need to do to help him. And, research says that when parents talk openly about drugs and drinking, children have better self-control and develop more negative perceptions of these risky behaviors.
• Look for signs & symptoms. Knowing what to look for is a huge help in determining whether your child is drinking or using drugs. If you’re familiar with the signs of drug use, that knowledge can aid you in gathering evidence and starting the conversation. Look for changes in your teen’s behavior, personal appearance, personal habits, schoolwork, and health–and bring up your observations with your child.
•Learn the risk factors. Certain circumstances make some kids more likely to use drugs and alcohol than others. Some common factors that can lead to a higher risk of teen drug use and drinking are: natural rebelliousness, having friends who drink or use drugs, a history of addiction in the family, and more. Knowing the common factors that often accompany drug and alcohol use by teens can help you understand when to be more aware, when to start a conversation with your kids, or when to take action to change a potentially harmful situation.
• Know why teens use. Today's teens are in a very different environment with pressures, technology and priorities vastly changed from when you were a teenager. Teens use drugs and alcohol to socialize and fit in with peers; ease emotional pain; and make transitions easier to bear. Learn what may be externally enticing your child to experiment and that will help you figure out what you can do about it.
Next>> What to do if you know your child is using.
