How to Educate Teens about Substance Abuse

October 18, 2021

3 min read

Did you know that 46.6% of teenagers have tried illicit drugs by the time they're in 12th grade? And that's not all - 4,777 Americans aged between 15 to 24 have died of an overdose of illegal substances in just a year. Also, 11.2% of deaths resulting from substance overdose involve individuals between ages 15 and 24.

These statistics from DrugAbuseStatitistics.org show exactly why it's increasingly becoming important to have a serious conversation about substance abuse. But, as a parent or guardian, how do you start such a conversation with a teenager struggling with substance abuse?

Here are some crucial tips to guide you.

Plan the Talk

Most teenagers are usually sensitive and emotional. So the best way to initiate such a sensitive conversation is by preparing them mentally and emotionally. First, let them know well in advance about your intention to have such a conversation and when you plan to have it. Also, to avoid unnecessary tension or awkwardness before or during the conversation, let them know that they're not in trouble and that you just want to talk.

Be Compassionate and Understanding

When it's time to begin the talk, the last thing you want to do is to sound judgmental. Teens, or anyone else for that matter, don't like to feel judged. This is especially true when they are struggling with a bad habit. For this reason, demonstrate compassion and understanding throughout the conversation.

Explain the Consequences

Explain the consequences of substance abuse and how it could change their lives from bad to worse. When discussing such consequences, you can highlight key statistics about teenage substance abuse in America, including health-related problems, changes in their social lives, and other long-term effects. Help them understand how dangerous and destructive substance abuse can be to their future, and also remind them that there's always a way out.

Identify the Source

When talking to teenagers about substance abuse, encourage them to identify the source of the problem by asking questions like:

How did it start?
What made you do it?
What do you think can be done to help you change?
How do you feel before and after substance abuse?

Also, don't be hypocritical when talking about this topic. For example, if they learned it from you as a parent, friend, relative, or guardian, it's important to let them know that you've made regrettable mistakes and that it's your duty to help them avoid such mistakes.

Teach Them Resistance

Teens often abuse drugs and other substances in an attempt to fit in with their peers. It's therefore important to let them know that it's okay to say 'no' to drugs.

Additionally, teach them the importance of being independent and free from other people's control (peer pressure), especially where drugs, crime, and other vices are involved. This talk will help them gain some confidence by losing the urge to fit in a particular crowd.

Set the Rules

Rules help define a clear path to recovery and how to travel that path. Such rules vary from one teenager to another, depending on their type and level of addiction. For example, if they use their phones to contact individuals who sell them drugs, you can set up a rule to regulate their phone usage while at the same time explaining how such rules will help them in their journey to recovery.

Celebrate Achievements and Milestones

Teenagers love to be appreciated and for those struggling with substance abuse, appreciating the little achievements throughout their journey to recovery increases their determination to attain full recovery. For instance, you can set a reward for achieving a particular milestone, something like a mini vacation.

However, be careful not to overpromise - you don't want them to feel disappointed or unappreciated. Instead, focus on simple and realistic rewards.

The journey to recovery from substance abuse isn't always an easy one. It usually needs more compassion, understanding, and a little bit of patience. However, the most important thing is to begin the journey and learn from the lessons along the way.

Connect with Other Teen Parents on Healthread

If you’re a parent of a teen and want to connect with other teen parents to talk about substance abuse or other issues affecting teens, Healthread provides you with a platform to do so. You can also read health-related articles, make posts, chat in groups, follow people with similar interests and more on Healthread and begin learning from other people’s health insights and experiences.