• FAQ
  • Appointment Booking
  • Verify Insurance
Get Confidential Help Now: 866-390-5070
HealthFlex
×
  • Home
  • About Hawaii Island Recovery
    • About HIR
    • Our Staff
    • Gallery
    • Client Daily Schedule
  • Addiction Treatment Services
    • How & What We Treat
    • Addiction Recovery
    • Dual Diagnosis Addiction Treatment Center
    • Medically Supervised Detoxification
    • Evidence-based Treatment Center
    • Experiential Therapy (Wild Dolphins)
    • Holistic Health Services
  • Testimonials
    • All Testimonials
    • Handwritten Testimonials
    • Video Testimonials
  • Rehab Blog & News
  • Contact

How and When to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol

How and When to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol
2018-06-21Blogalcohol abusealcohol addictionAlcoholismdrug addictionSubstance Abuse

Parenting is one of life’s greatest joys as well as one of life’s greatest responsibilities. When you are preparing to bring a newborn home, the idea of having to discuss the possible dangers of alcohol and drug abuse is typically not in the forefront of your mind.

However, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most preschoolers have already witnessed the use of alcohol or tobacco, so parents would be wise to start these discussions early. Plus, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, teens are 50% less likely to use drugs if their parents discuss drug abuse regularly.

Wherever you are in your parenting journey, it’s not too early nor too late to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol. Read on to learn more about preparing to have these conversations.

 

Looking for Teachable Moments with Your Kids

The first step in talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol is to look for teachable moments. These will vary depending upon the age of your kids. Whether you’re aware of it or not, preschoolers often see alcohol or tobacco on a daily basis, whether on TV, in a restaurant, or passing by someone on the street. Use these opportunities to discuss the harmful effects of these substances and lay a foundation for future discussions.

As your children get older, take time to listen and answer any questions they may have about drugs or alcohol. Initiate conversations about how they feel about the effects of alcohol and drugs and how they can make wise choices. Driving your kids to ball practice or home from school provides great opportunities to have conversations without distractions.

By the time your kids are teens, they are very likely to have witnessed firsthand the effects of drugs and alcohol—perhaps their own family members or even friends are abusing alcohol. Discussing alcohol and drug related incidents and consequences that others have experienced opens the door to honest dialogue with your teen in a non-judgemental way.

Look for opportunities as often as you can; this is not a one-time discussion, but an ongoing conversation.

Dad and son discussion about alcohol and drug issues

Dad and son discussion about alcohol and drug issues

Providing Kids with Age-Appropriate Information on Drugs and Alcohol

Methods of approaching discussion about alcohol and drug abuse will vary greatly depending upon the age of your kids. When a preschooler is making healthy eating choices, you can use the opportunity to praise her for choosing food that makes her body strong and avoiding things that can make her body sick.

Once your child has started school, take opportunities to ask about things he sees on TV or in the movies. For example, ask if he knows what marijuana is and how it affects our bodies. Have frequent conversations about peer pressure and choosing friends who make wise decisions.

Once your child is a teen, there are countless opportunities for them to be exposed to alcohol and drugs. Continue to have conversations about drug and alcohol use at every opportunity and stay informed about trending drugs that may seem harmless but are actually very dangerous, such as Spice or K2 , Sizzurp, and even prescription medications such as Ritalin or Adderall.

 

Setting a Good Example and Firm Guidelines for Your Kids

Your kids are watching you and they care what you think. It’s important to set a good example and be honest about mistakes you may have made in the past. Setting clear boundaries from an early age lays the foundation for future expectations regarding drug and alcohol use.

Don’t assume your child will make the right decision if you haven’t communicated your expectations clearly and often. Be clear about rules and consequences, particularly as your child enters the teen years.

 

What to Do If Your Child Is Using Drugs and Alcohol

Sometimes parents do everything they can to talk to their kids and still see signs that a problem could be developing. Often there are underlying factors such as depression, anxiety, or a trauma they have experienced that they are attempting to self-treat with drugs or alcohol.

If you believe your teen may be using drugs or alcohol, you do not have to face it alone.

Call us today at 877-721-3556

 

Related Posts

  • Why do people abuse drugs and alcohol
    Why do people abuse drugs and alcohol?

    Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress-related disorders, and depression begin abusing drugs in…

  • Is alcohol a drug
    Is Alcohol a Drug?

    Is alcohol a drug? Many people wonder about this because drinking is so widely socially…

  • Alcoholism and alcohol abuse
    Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse: What is the Difference?

    Understanding the difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse can be challenging. On the outside, they…

  • The True Impact of Alcohol Abuse on Your Liver
    The True Impact of Alcohol Abuse on Your Liver

    Alcohol abuse leads to all types of health problems, with liver damage residing near the…

Recent Posts

  • Understanding PTSD
  • What Does PTSD Feel Like After Narcissistic Abuse?
  • What Are Some of the Most Effective Ways to Fight Depression
  • What are the Steps for Rehabilitation from Heroin?
  • What is Ecstasy | Myths | Medical Uses | Side Effects | Treatment

Our Services

  • Home
  • About Hawaii Island Recovery
    • About HIR
    • Our Staff
    • Gallery
    • Client Daily Schedule
  • Addiction Treatment Services
    • How & What We Treat
    • Addiction Recovery
    • Dual Diagnosis Addiction Treatment Center
    • Medically Supervised Detoxification
    • Evidence-based Treatment Center
    • Experiential Therapy (Wild Dolphins)
    • Holistic Health Services
  • Testimonials
    • All Testimonials
    • Handwritten Testimonials
    • Video Testimonials
  • Rehab Blog & News
  • Contact
CALL Now!
(866) 390-5070

Who We Are

Who We Are

Hawaii Island Recovery, the Big Island’s premiere residential substance abuse rehabilitation facility for adults, offers a comprehensive treatment program in a tranquil and healing environment.

866-390-5070

info@hawaiianrecovery.com

75-170 Hualalai Rd c311a, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA

Latest News

  • Coronavirus Creates an Increased Risk of Domestic Abuse May 13

    One of the most disheartening effects of COVID-19 is the...

  • Measures Regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19) Mar 23

    Hawaii Island Recovery remains open for those in need of...

  • Everyone was relaxed and in good spirits Jul 23

    We talked on the beach for a long while, basking...

Copyright ©2020 Hawaii Island Recovery | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
Hawaii Addiction Treatment Center Hawaii Drug Addiction Rehab Center