Talking to your teen about alcohol can be
complicated and awkward. You don’t want to offend them, but you want them to
know you care. With a few quick tips, speaking with your teen about drugs and
alcohol can go more smoothly.
You should learn
as much as you can about what to look for when you suspect drug/alcohol use.
Here are some signs and symptoms of teen drinking/drug use:
·
Changes
in friends
·
Negative
changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades
·
Increased
secrecy about possessions or activities
·
Use
of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors
·
Subtle
changes in conversations with friends, i.e. more secretive, using “coded”
language
·
Change
in clothing choices: new fascination with clothes that highlight drug use
·
Increase
in borrowing money
·
Evidence
of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, etc.
·
Evidence
of use of inhalant products (such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid,
common household products); Rags and paper bags are sometimes used as
accessories
·
Bottles
of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
·
New
use of mouthwash or breath mints to mask alcohol on breath
·
Missing
prescription drugs
Whether or not you notice any of the
above signs, it is still important to talk to your teen about substance
abuse. It is important for your kids to
be educated about alcohol and drugs by you; they need to know that teen drug
and alcohol use is not condoned by your family. Most of all, they need to be
held accountable for their actions.
Here are some simple steps to follow in
order for a conversation to go more smoothly with your teen:
·
Make a plan. Prepare yourself beforehand by knowing
exactly what you want to say to your teen.
·
Present the facts. Presenting cold, hard facts can be the
biggest eye-opener for teens when it comes to substance abuse.
·
Listen. Let your teen say what he/she needs to say. Be sure to
listen carefully to their take on the issue.
·
Discuss. Talk about the shared information,
consequences, and risks of substance abuse.
·
Set rules. Firmly and warmly make it very clear
that you will not tolerate drug or alcohol use by your teen. Identify the
consequences if they do use
Follow these steps and you’ll be well on
your way to creating a safe, drug-free environment for your child. Also, keep your eyes peeled for a prevention
program for parents that will soon be offered in Van Buren County.
For more information on any of the topics discussed in this article visit www.theantidrug.com or for more information you may contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or online at www.vbsafecoalition.com