One fear parents have is that their child will cave in to peer pressure and engage in drug use. The broad availability of drugs presents a high cause for concern.
Multiple theories claim to include the ideal method of keeping your kids from the harms of drugs. A few parents think having stringent rules are going to be enough to scare their teenagers into avoiding drugs; yet, unfortunately, that might not be enough.
There’s hope. Multiple studies have proven that following these three steps will assist you in helping your teenager avoid the multitude of harms of drug misuse.
Education
Hiding your head in the sand won’t help you hold informed conversations with your teenager regarding drugs. You must educate yourself on all of the various kinds of drugs your child might be exposed to as well as the effects they may have on somebody who’s using. If you’re educated about drugs, you’ll have the ability to answer your teen’s questions with truthful and educated answers. Never make him or her feel bad if they ask a question. A few parents mistake questions for a confession of guilt. Jumping to these types of conclusions and accusing him or her prior to you hearing the teen out is going to decrease the chance that he or she will ever come to you with any questions again.
Warning Signs
As you’re learning of the various sorts of drugs with which your teen might be involved, you ought to study up about the warning signs. Knowing about both emotional and physical changes that may arise as a consequence of drug misuse might aid you in detecting warning signs and intervening prior to your child trying more harmful drugs or becoming addicted.
Signs of drug use include three symptoms:
- a drop in grades
- a change in friends
- a loss of interest in hobbies
Interact With Teenagers
Most teenagers are going to pull away from their mother or father because they have a desire to feel independent. Mothers and fathers often believe that providing their teenager space provides the only method of avoiding conflict. If you witness your child wanting to become more independent, have a seat with him or her and discuss which kinds of responsibilities he or she might take. Create a strategy with your teenager. Set up clear privileges, expectations and consequences in order for your teenager to feel in control. Such guided freedom is going to assist in giving your teenager the type of direction and self-confidence needed to avoid drugs.
Activities also can play a major role in keeping a teenager away from drugs. Encourage him or her to become involved within art, sports or additional activities. If your teen is already engaged in activities, you ought to keep up with their accomplishments and encourage them to remain focused. If you suspect drug misuse, it may be time for a well-planned drug intervention or expert assistance.
Bottom line: talk with your kids, not at them. What’s the difference? When talking with your kids ask a lot of questions. Lay out an agenda to get the conversation started on a Saturday morning:
- 8:30: Wake up your son or daughter.
- 9:15: Walk out to the car.
- 9:30: Pull into your child’s favorite place to eat breakfast.
- 9:40: Order.
- 9:45: Start talking with — not at — your child
- 10: Ask a lot of questions in a nonjudgmental way.
The discussion can include:
- What do your friends say about drugs?
- How much do you see on your campus?
- What do you think about alcohol or weed?
- Where do you think drugs will lead?
- Discuss a friend or family member who had a lot of potential but lost it because of drug use.
For more information, contact the Prevention Plus office at 909-255-4314 or go to RayLozano.com.
Ray Lozano is the chief executive officer of Prevention Plus. Lozano also has served as a pastor for the Free Methodist Church in Southern California.
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