While there’s enough information on the internet about the negative effects of drugs, it is always helpful to have a conversation with your kids about the topic of drugs and alcohol. This is because having a meaningful conversation will more likely inculcate responsibility in your children and serve as a more effective means for them to refrain from drug use.
Want to address the “drug talk” but not sure about how you can do so without nagging at your kids? You’ve landed on the right guide!
Be Direct
While starting off the talk remember to be as straightforward with your child as possible. You must acknowledge the fact that you are an adult – therefore you have probably had years worth of experience in avoiding drugs as well as seeing people under the influence of drugs. However, when it comes to your kids, you have to keep in mind that your teens are undergoing puberty and peer pressure clouds their judgement and makes drugs look like a figment of “escape”.
Hence, it is wise to be as direct as you can with them. Without beating around the bush, let your children know that drug abuse is dangerous and it causes awful effects no matter how small the amount of consumption is. Explain to them how the materials are highly addictive to the mind and body. Tell them that these things may look attractive initially but they lead to disastrous consequences later on. Try not to be assertive and dominant, but rather be calm and explain how these rules will be beneficial to them in the long term. Remember that the objective is to make your kids feel like your home is a safe spot for discussion and not a prison trial.
Being Understanding
We all know that rules are an important part of maintaining discipline. Without proper repercussions, your child might constantly commit offences that will cause problems in the long term. When setting guidelines for drug use, make sure that the punishment is not “too harsh” for your teen. For example, if your teen is caught trying marijuana at a party, don’t just ban their devices and ground them; instead, try to talk it out with them and see if they have a reasonable excuse. You can even give them the option to say the truth and lessen the degree of punishment if they comply. Doing so can also encourage a positive feedback cycle. That means your children will more likely accept their mistakes instead of covering them up.
Often parents tend to impose harsh punishments on children without listening to their part of the argument. Contrary to popular belief this does not prevent the child from committing the offence again. If anything, it makes them do the same thing but a little more smartly (without letting you know).
Discussions and Boundaries
For topics like drug use, one conversation is not enough. This topic will likely come up multiple times and will have to be discussed repeatedly. That being said, you should always be patient each time and address questions in a judgement-free manner. If your teen has questions about drinking in limitation – tell them they can – provided they do it in the household. If they want to try a “not so harmful” drug – tell them they can BUT at a certain age.
By doing this you will gain the child’s trust and make your stance seem less like some interrogation. Furthermore, doing this will imply that you trust the child and will let them take the responsibility once they reach the right maturity level. This makes them more likely to appreciate your concerns, meaning that they’ll more likely refrain from drugs, if not, they will at least approach you in case there’s a mishap.
Be Honest and Upfront
Let’s face it, you were a teen once and you may have slipped up sometimes too! Whether it’d be stealing your parents’ wine or snorting cocaine – you must have had a fair share of experiences as well. The point is not to shame you but rather to address the fact that it is natural to break rules sometimes. You did it, your parents did it and your child is probably going to do it too, so don’t be surprised when that happens!
It can be useful to talk about your experiences of messing up. Let the kids know that even though you did the wrong deed, you’d rather not do it again because you understand the impact of your actions. Don’t pretend to have a “clean slate” when you know you’ve had your moments. For all you know, you might set yourself up for huge embarrassment if your children find out you’re not the angel you claimed to be! As simple as it is, if you want your teens to be honest with you, you have to be honest and upfront with them too.
Final Thoughts
Although the “drug talk” might seem like a difficult subject to address, it can be very easy provided you follow the right steps. You can start the discussion by being empathetic and straightforward with your children. Also, talk about the subject in an informative manner rather than that of an interrogation. By following the tips in the article you can ensure that your children will remain well informed and protected from the dangers of drug abuse.
Nothing is quite as painful as witnessing a young person become entangled in substance abuse. ADAPT Programs offers drug and alcohol addiction outpatient treatment designed specifically for youth and teens. Contact us today if you are interested in learning more.