If we can help our kids get through their teenage years without trying drugs, they are likely to never use drugs as an adult.
Here are some suggested things to keep in mind when you talk to your child:
- Tell your son or daughter that you LOVE him/her, and you are worried that he/she might be using drugs or alcohol;
- You KNOW that drugs may seem like the thing to do, but doing drugs can have serious consequences;
- It makes you FEEL worried and concerned about them when they do drugs;
- You are there to LISTEN to them;
- You WANT them to be a part of the solution;
- You tell him or her what you WILL do to help them.
- KNOW that you will have this discussion many, many times. Talking to your kid about drugs and alcohol is not a one-time event.
Make Agreements with Yourself
Tell yourself that you won’t “lose it” with your child. Anger and hostility won’t get you anywhere in this conversation. Stay as calm as possible. Remember, you are the parent and you are in charge. Be kind, simple, and direct in your statements to your child. Above all, remember to tell your child that you love him or her! The conversation will not be perfect — no conversation ever is. Know that you are doing the right thing for your child. That’s what matters most!
Conversations: What to Say
The major reason you have to have a conversation with your child about drugs and alcohol is because your kids need to be educated by you. They need to hear from their parents that teen drug and alcohol use is not condoned in your family. They need to learn from their parents about the consequences of drug and alcohol use. Most importantly, they need to be held accountable for their actions with drugs and alcohol use.
What happens if you suspect that your teen is already using alcohol and drugs? What do you say to them? The conversation is the same: parents need to tell their kids that drug and alcohol use by teens is not allowed in your family.
The issue won't go away until you do something. You will get to the point where you can't deny that the problem exists. You'll have a continuous nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach. You will simply have to acknowledge that your child has a problem — your child is using drugs and that won't get any better until you take action on your child's behalf. It is OK to ask for help. In fact, getting help may make it easier for you to have the conversation.
Below is a very good link for as many street terms as you can imagine.
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/streetterms/ByAlpha.asp?strTerm=A
Subject: Drug Slang Terms, etc.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/DrugsofAbuse.html
Send loving messages, for example:
- "I love you too much to let you hurt yourself."
- "I know other people your age use drugs, but I can't let you continue to behave this way."
- "We'll do anything we can to help you. If tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs are part of the problem, we must talk about it right away."
- "If you are sad, upset, or mad, we want to help you. But our family will not permit any use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs."
Don't be critical (avoid these statements):
· "There's only one reason you could be acting this way -- you must be on drugs."
· "Don't think you are fooling me. I know what you are doing."
· "How could you be so stupid as to start using drugs and alcohol?"
· "How could you do this to our family?"
· "Where did I go wrong? What did I do to make you start using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs?"
Useful Websites