Teen drug and alcohol abuse can majorly impact your child’s life. We’ve listed 18 ways to prevent teen addiction to help you and your teen live a healthy and bright life.
1. Know Your Teen’s Activities
Please pay close attention to where your teen hangs out with their friends. Discover what activities your teen is interested in and help encourage them to get involved.
2. Know Who Your Teen’s Friends Are
If the people your teen considers as friends use illegal substances or drink while underage, your child may feel pressure to experiment as well.
3. Establish Ground Rules And Enforce Consequences
Inform your child of the guidelines and standards that govern your household. Remind them not to leave a party where drugs are being used or travel in a car that a drunk driver might operate. Apply the proper penalties if your rules are broken.
4. Talk To Your Teen
Yes, it really can be that easy. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), parents who talk to their children about drinking or using drugs while providing them with information about substance abuse reduce the likelihood of substance abuse in their offspring by 400%.
5. Keep Track Of Prescription Drugs In The Home
Take inventory of all prescriptions and over-the-counter medications throughout your home and keep them in a safe place.
6. Provide support
Offer encouragement and support when your child accomplishes something. A parent’s bond can absolutely help prevent troubled youths from abusing drugs and alcohol.
7. Be A Good Role Model
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Use prescription drugs only as your physician directs, and avoid illicit drugs.
8. Don’t Give In To Peer Pressure
Teenagers and young adults frequently engage in drug experimentation to present a cool image to their peers, even on social media. Some children mistakenly believe that using drugs or drinking alcohol while underage will make them more acceptable or popular with other children. They may do this in an effort to fit in. Avoiding peer pressure can undoubtedly aid in the prevention of addiction.
9. Develop Close Family Ties
Research shows teens close to their families are less likely to develop addictions. Youths can deal with life’s pressures and steer clear of harmful substances with the help and support of their loved ones.
10. Develop Healthy Habits
Another strategy for preventing drug and alcohol addiction is to combine a balanced diet with exercise. Your brain and body will thank you for staying healthy and active, especially under stressful circumstances.
As a result, there is less temptation to turn to drugs and alcohol when things are difficult.
11. Limit Time Spent On Electronics
Research has repeatedly shown that excessive internet stimulation not only exposes adolescents to images and videos that glorify alcohol and drug use but can also foster addictive tendencies on its own.
12. Be Honest With Your Kids About Your Previous Drug Or Alcohol Abuse
Trust and a solid relationship between you and your child can help a lot here. In particular, when their teen asks about it, parents should be open and honest with their children about their own history of addiction.