How to talk to your teen about substance abuse
We all have been there and done things that test our parental controls. Challenging the way systems and society work are a great dopamine booster for teenagers. Adventure, peer pressure, an urge to establish their own identities already, impulsivity coupled with ignorance can drag teens into the traps of organised crime. It is important to let them know the consequences. By the way, pushing the limits can lead them into much more perilous territories.
Coming to the big question, how to talk to your teen about substance abuse?
Adolescence is a transition time between childhood and adulthood and hence involves major transformations in the body and also the way an adolescent relates to the world. Observing their interests and finding a common ground with them comes a long way in your talks being fruitful.
Here are some guidelines on how to approach your teen:
Plan what to talk
Each teen is different in the way they communicate and comprehend. Understanding your teen and planning out the topic of conversation beforehand is important. Because springing a serious conversation all of a sudden might intimidate them and get them to be defensive. Starting the conversation on a casual note might be a wise move.
Listen patiently; don’t be judgemental
If you are worried about the events happening in your teen’s life, getting them to feel comfortable around you by not being judgemental and sitting back and listening can be very effective in understanding their vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Validating their feelings, showing trust are better problem-solving skills as far as teens are concerned.
Use direct language, not euphemisms
Bring up the topic in between the conversation and use direct language instead of euphemisms so its clear to your kid what you are talking about. If you have to talk about drug abuse, you will have to use the technical words like marijuana, sharing injections, vaping, snorting and other related words. Talking about substance abuse may include alcohol poisoning and binge drinking. Using direct language and explaining the consequences of substance abuse is the right way of creating awareness in them.
Setting general rules and consequences without being bossy
Setting clear rules about substance abuse and setting consequences for breaking the rules gives teens a defined criterion to stay safe. Though there will be no guarantee that they won’t break the rules, evidence suggests that kids with rules are less likely to get into substance use risk than kids without.
Conditional amnesty
Our kids’ safety is our priority. An amnesty policy is one way to keep our kids safe. Amnesty allows the kid to call and ask for help under a dangerous situation without incurring the repercussions of deviated behaviour. Amnesty policy encourages kids to take confident and appropriate decisions that keep them in a safe zone during adverse situations.
Kids are generally adventurous in their teens and tend to try drugs and alcohol just to act out and show that they are above all their peers. As a result, most of them fall prey to the influence of anti-social, commercial elements who target this most vulnerable clan. Though danger is lurking around for your kid everywhere, you need not worry if you have open-end conversations with them prepare them in advance to deal with such situations.
If your kid had already fallen prey to substance abuse, he/she needs treatment from well experienced clinicians at a good rehab to reclaim life.
Phoenix Rehab Services is a leading Rehabilitation Centre in India for Substance Abuse and Behavioural Addiction. At Phoenix, we can help provide the right tools to you or your loved ones on the journey to lead a healthy life free from addiction. Our reliable & effective Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is headed and supported by experienced & dedicated de-addiction therapists and is driven by motivated staff that is equipped to handle the various needs of patients and has years of experience in treating addiction.
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