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Teenage Parenting – Drug Use
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Is your teenager at risk for Drug Use?
One of the most difficult phases of parent children relationship is teenage parenting. Many parents constantly worry about their teenagers being influenced by peers to take drugs or and alcohol. Parents rightly so, concern themselves that their teenager can become addicted to such substances however many not really know or under the risk factors for drug use.
For example do you as a parent know what makes some kids more likely to use drugs r alcohol than others? If you answered yes then perhaps you need not read any further, but for those of you who do not know or are not sure then this article may prove invaluable.
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 take action to change a potentially harmful situation.
Whilst there are these risk factors there are also hundreds of reasons why teens use drugs. Having said that there are 10 major reasons which will be addressed in another article. Knowing these reasons and a better understanding as to why teens are attracted to drugs can also help you to help your teenager.
Risk Factors:
Risk factors fall into 5 major categories: Individual, Peer, Family, School and Community.
Some of the individual factors that may contribute to drug use:
Ø If a child experiments with drinking or drugs at an early age.
Ø ADHD
Ø Children who are rebellious and frequently break rules
Ø Children who are unable to control impulses
Ø Children who consider that alcohol and drug use isn’t harmful
Ø Children who suffer from stress, depression, anxiety and conduct disorders
Peer Factors that may contribute to drug use:
Ø Close or extended relative who have or have had an addiction
Ø Children who have been subjected to trauma eg. Divorce, death of family member, child abuse, neglect)
Ø Children with little or no parental supervision
Ø Children whose parents have little or no interest in them
Ø Children who receive inconsistent or severe punishment
Ø Children who experience on a daily basis hostility, ongoing arguing and physical abuse within the family.
Ø Children whose parents show no concern about the child’s drug use.
Ø Children whose parents don’t make it clear about their feelings about their teens use of drugs.
What parents can do:
Ø If you or an extended family member has had a drug addiction use your past experience to help guide your child,
Ø Work at having a strong bond with your child encourage open communication on topics of interest to your child, ask questions, listen to your child’s answers.
Ø Take an interest in your child’s life. Know his/her friends, be informed what happens at school.
Ø Set boundaries and rules and be consistent in enforcing them within the family.
Ø Have your teen feel that they are an integral part of the family,
Ø Explain to your teen how his/her drug or alcohol use impacts the whole family.
Ø Endeavour to have family time such as family dinners, outings, sport etc. Encourage your child to live a healthy life tell him/her that you want him/her to respect his/her body, to behave appropriately and be on guard in potentially dangerous situations.
Peer Factors that may contribute to drug use:
Ø Peer Pressure from friends who drink or use drugs
Ø Children who hang out with friends who think drinking or drugs use is cool and not that harmful
Ø Children who get caught up with gangs
Ø Children who are rebellious
What Parents can do:
Ø If your child lacks social skills help him/her develop them. Provide opportunities for your child to interact socially with peers in a healthy, safe environment, perhaps through sporting groups or church groups. Encourage your teen to find peer group and activities that promote healthy positive behaviour.
Ø Encourage open communication with your child
Ø Encourage your teen to bring their friends home, get to know their friends parents. Be aware of their ‘online’ friends.
School related issues that may contribute to drug use:
Ø Children who become frustrated and stressed due to learning disability.
Ø Children who play truant
Ø Children who lack commitment to school
Ø Children who don’t get along with their teachers
Ø Children with academic difficulties usually beginning in primary school.
What Parents Can Do:
Ø Encourage your teen to have a positive attitude towards school.
Ø Take the time to find out if your child is struggling at school and if so talk to the teacher and find out ways to get help
Ø Involve yourself in school sponsored parent activities and encourage your child to also participate in school sponsored activities
Ø Ensure that your child is in the correct supportive educational environment
Ø Encourage healthy study habits, check homework regularly.
Community Issues that may contribute to drug use:
Ø Alcohol and drugs easily available in the community
Ø Movies glamorizing and portraying drinking and drug use as cool without consequences
Ø Media coverage of pop idols and celebrities frequent and open use of drugs and alcohol
What Parents Can Do:
Ø Talk to your neighbours and create and support a community watch group
Ø Tell your child about dangerous areas in your neighbourhood so that they can avoid them
Ø Encourage open dialogue with your teen about drug and alcohol use amongst celebrities and pop idols as use the examples as opportunities to teach your child about the dangers and consequences of using these substances.
To read more on the Reasons Why Teens Use Drugs ‘click here’
To read more on what symptoms and signs to look for to detect if your child may be taking drugs ‘click here’