How to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs

There are many important conversations to be had between parents and their children. Some discussions will be matters of good manners and grades, while others will be about making good decisions and staying safe.

It is important to know how to talk to your kids about drugs; the earlier you do it, the better. Meny young adults are exposed to different substances much earlier than their parents or guardians are aware, and those adolescents who don’t have the right information might make choices that aren’t actually right for them.

If you don’t know how to talk to your kids about drugs, the following tips can help to make the conversation easier and more effective.

Start Early

Making yourself accessible to your children early on in life can often make it easier for them to feel comfortable coming to you as they get older. Having an open mind and a willingness to listen can help kids to feel better about coming to you even for the harder questions and conversations.

You can also lay the groundwork for conversations about substances like medicines whenever they’re sick; you can discuss why they’re taking them and when they’re necessary.

Be aware of what they’re exposed to on a daily basis, such as characters smoking on television. These are moments you can use to discuss why this kind of habit is bad and what it does to the body.

Pre-Teens

There is no one rule for how to talk to your kids about drugs. Every child learns differently and is exposed to different things. As they enter their pre-teen stages, kids will become more and more exposed to different substances, so it’s ideal to do some research ahead of time to provide them with the proper information.

At this age, many kids are already being subjected to alcohol or other forms of drugs. Now is a good age to ask them how they feel about the topic, and to show them how comfortable you are discussing them openly. This lays some important groundwork for the future.

Related article: Party Drugs Addiction: What is it?

Teenagers

At this stage, teenagers are already dealing with a lot of pressure both physically, socially and mentally. Being a reliable source for them to confide in is a great way to ensure there is an open line of communication about the temptations around them.

At this point, many teenagers will also have their license; this is a good time to talk about the dangers of driving under the influence, or getting into a car with another driver who is under the influence.

Set some ground rules for your new drivers, ensuring they know the dangers they pose to themselves and others by driving when using drugs or alcohol. Of course, rewards and punishments should be made clear for any bad decisions.

No family is immune to the dangers that substance abuse can pose; the best thing you can do for your children is to begin educating them early on, and supporting an open line of communication.

If you’re not sure how to talk to your kids about drugs, consider first doing some research of your own. It can be easier to talk about certain substances when you’re confident that you have helpful, correct information to share with them. Contact Inspire Change Drug Rehab in Vancouver today!