Detox Recovery

It can be difficult to talk to your teen about drug abuse. Start by choosing a comfortable time and setting. If you’re anxious, share your feelings with your teen. You might also consider sharing the responsibility with another nurturing adult in your teen’s life.

When you discuss teen drug abuse, you might:

• Ask your teen’s views. Listen to your teen’s opinions — which may differ from your own — and questions about drug use. Encourage your teen to talk by asking open-ended questions, such as “Tell me what you think about … .”
• Discuss reasons not to abuse drugs. Avoid scare tactics. Emphasize how drug use can affect things important to your teen — such as sports, driving, health and appearance. Explain that even a teen can develop a drug problem.
• Consider media messages. Some television programs, movies, Web sites or songs glamorize or trivialize drug use. Talk about what your teen has seen or heard.
• Plan specific ways to resist peer pressure. Brainstorm with your teen about how to respond to offers of drugs. Suggest that your teen try saying, “No thanks,” or “I don’t do drugs because it could get me kicked off the team.” Your teen also might offer friends a socially acceptable alternative activity, such as watching a movie.
• Be ready to discuss your own drug use. Think ahead about how you’ll respond if your teen asks about your own drug use. If you chose not to use drugs, explain why. If you did use drugs, share what the experience taught you.

Don’t be afraid that talking about teen drug abuse will plant ideas in your teen’s head. Conversations about drug abuse won’t tempt your teen to try drugs. Instead, talking about drug abuse lets your teen know your views and understand what you expect of him or her.