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With
all of the information available to teens, parents may
wonder why their children would even consider
experimenting with alcohol, tobacco, steroids or other
drugs. But a combination of youthful defiance,
fearlessness, curiosity, and peer pressure can lead
teens to ignore the risks and make the unthinkable a
reality. Understanding the pressures on teens to use
drugs and alcohol and learning to identify the early
signs of substance abuse can help parents tackle this
difficult issue.
Why
teens try drugs and alcohol
Schools, parents, law enforcement agencies, and
anti-drug groups routinely warn of the dangers of drugs
and alcohol. Unfortunately television, music, friends,
sports idols, and even some parents often suggest that
using drugs or alcohol is “not so bad.” In this
confusing environment, teens may view substance abuse as
a means to:
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Open the doors to certain friends or social groups.
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Have “fun” by drinking or getting high.
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Feel more like an adult.
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Experience the thrill of doing something risky.
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Escape struggles with poor self-esteem, depression,
or a
troubled home life.
-
Improve performance by staying awake to complete
school
work, building strength and size to make a sports
team, or
even believing that drugs may enhance creativity.
Identifying signs of possible trouble
By simply observing their children’s appearance,
behavior, and friends, parents can identify early clues
that their children are experimenting with alcohol,
drugs, or other substances. Although it is important to
respect a teen’s desire for independence and personal
space, it is equally important for parents to protect
children from a potential crisis of substance abuse.
These simple ideas may help in the process:
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Trust your nose—A brief face-to-face chat
(not a yelled conversation through a closed door)
may reveal the smell of alcohol, cigarettes, or
marijuana on your teen’s breath. Chewing gum, breath
mints or freshly applied aftershave or perfume might
be an attempt to hide any telltale odors.
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Look closely—Marijuana causes the eyes to
become red and heavy lidded with constricted (small)
pupils. Alcohol produces dilated (large) pupils and
gives a red, flushed color to the face and cheeks.
Other drugs may cause nose bleeds, sores or spots
around the mouth or nose, clothing or skin burns, or
needle marks.
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Watch for extreme mood changes—Is your quiet
child suddenly loud and obnoxious or your athlete
unusually clumsy? Although there are a number of
reasons for a child to be moody, remain aware of the
possibility of substance use.
-
Check for physical evidence of trouble—Unexplained
scrapes and dents in the car might suggest your
child has been driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs. Bottles, cans, or drug
paraphernalia can turn up in the car, a bedroom, the
garbage can, or even the laundry.
-
Be aware of lies or secrets—Missed curfews or
alibis and explanations that don’t fit may suggest
that your child is hiding something more serious.
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Monitor school performance—Declining grades
or a sudden disinterest in hobbies or sports may be
signs that the desire to get drunk or high has
become the top priority in a teen’s life.
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Missing alcohol, cigarettes, prescriptions,
money, or valuables—Substance abuse is
expensive. Teens may start out sneaking alcohol or
cigarettes from their parents and end up stealing
money or valuables to buy their own.
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Trust your instincts with friends—Teens make
new friends all of the time; it’s natural. But if
the new friends give you reasons to worry, it might
be time to pay closer attention to them and their
behavior.
Preventing substance use
Benjamin Franklin’s expression, “An ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure” holds true when it comes to
helping teens make wise choices. Sound parenting skills
are your teen’s best defense against the pressures of
drugs and alcohol. Some simple suggestions include:
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Begin talking to your child at an early age
regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs before
the temptation to experiment strikes. Be clear that
using drugs or alcohol is both illegal and
unacceptable.
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Avoid idle time and boredom by keeping your teen
involved in positive activities such as sports,
clubs, or church or civic groups.
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Consider purchasing a home drug test from your local
pharmacy. These kits are inexpensive and easy to
use. This proactive step will send the message that
you are not naïve and that you take this issue
seriously.
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Establish household rules for your teen. Agree to
reasonable consequences for bad behavior, and
consistently enforce the rules.
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Keep talking with your teen. One conversation will
not be enough. Occasionally remind your child that
you are aware of the pressures to try these
substances. And don’t forget a little praise for
good behavior can go a long way toward avoiding
trouble.
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Know your child’s friends. Friends who avoid
cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs reinforce your
message that not everyone “is doing it.”
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permission to reprint this article, please contact the
Capital Region BOCES Communications Service at (518)
464-3960.
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