A Parent's Guide to Avoid Teen Substance Abuse

The teen brain is still maturing, making it more focused on rewards and risk-taking compared to the adult brain. This heightened sensitivity makes it particularly vulnerable to teen substance use that may lead to abuse that can overload the brain's reward circuits. 

As teenagers push for greater freedom while exploring their identities, they may experiment with drugs and other substances, putting their health and safety at risk. This situation presents a challenging tightrope for parents. Here are some ways to help prevent teen substance use by discussing the consequences and emphasizing the importance of making healthy choices.

Why Teens Fall for Substance Use? 

At Gobi, we have helped many parents and teens across the US. Here are some of the reasons our kids tell us why they indulge in substance use. 

• To unwind and disconnect (deal with stress)
• To relieve boredom
• To control something (moderate feelings)
• To not feel
• To live life on the edge
• To feel funnier and smarter
• To meet new people (alcohol or marijuana helps you be more social)

Consequences of Teen Substance Use

Some of the most common adverse impacts of teen substance use include. 

• Addiction 
• Changes in school performance
• Drug dependence
• Impaired driving
• Mental health disorders
• Poor judgment
• Unsafe Sexual activity
• Overdose leading to death

Warning Signs to Look For

As a parent of a teenager, you must stay vigilant for potential warning signs, including:

• Abrupt or drastic shifts in social circle, eating habits, sleep routines, physical presentation, financial demands, coordination, or academic achievement
• Displays of irresponsible conduct, anger, impaired judgment, or diminished enthusiasm
• Rule-breaking tendencies or detachment from family interactions
• Discovery of medication packaging without corresponding illness or drug-related items within your teen's personal space

Talking to Your Teen About Substance Use

Many parents struggle with how to talk to their teenagers about substance use. Therefore, when initiating discussions about substance use with your teen, choose a comfortable setting where both of you feel at ease. For example, you can go for a walk in a park with your teen. Pick a time free from interruptions and when it is not too busy where you decide to go. Make sure you set your phones aside to avoid distractions. 

Equally crucial is recognizing when not to broach the subject. Conversations are best postponed when either party is angry or frustrated. If unprepared to address inquiries, parents can inform their teens that the discussion will occur later. Additionally, if a teen is under the influence, it's advisable to wait until they are sober. 

To effectively communicate about teen substance use:

• Encourage your teen to share their perspectives. Rather than lecturing, listen attentively to your teen's thoughts and questions regarding drugs, assuring them that honesty won't lead to trouble. Ask open-ended questions that start with "Why?" "How?" and "What?"
• Discuss the reasons for avoiding substance use without resorting to scare tactics. Highlight how substance use can impact areas important to your teen, such as sports performance, driving, health, or appearance.
• Analyze media messages together. Social media, TV shows, movies, and songs often portray substance use as normal or glamorous. Address what your teen sees and hears, fostering critical thinking.

Brainstorm strategies for resisting peer pressure. Collaborate with your teen on techniques for politely declining offers of indulging in substance use. Ask them for excuses they might use to turn down a substance if it is offered, i.e., "I'm thirsty, so I'll just have water/coke right now" or "I'm Just getting over something."

• Be prepared to discuss your own experiences with substance use. Consider how you will respond if your teen asks about your past substance use. If you refrained from it, explain your reasons. If you did experiment, share the lessons learned from those experiences.

Other preventive strategies may include: 

• Know your teenager's activities.
• Get to know their friends.
• Establish rules and consequences ahead of time and have your teen decide on the consequences.
• Keep track of prescription drugs (if any).
• Offer support.
• Lead by example as a parent.

Remember, parental supervision is vital in deterring teen substance use and fostering accountability. Therefore, you must encourage open dialogue. If you are a parent seeking the right support for your teen struggling with substance use, Gobi is here to assist you. We specialize in helping both young people and their parents navigate this challenging time.

 If you have any questions on substance use in teens or about substance misuse prevention in teens, visit Gobi Support's website and speak to our experts. Together, we can work towards creating a safer and healthier future for our teens.