Adolescent Substance Use: How and When to Talk to Your Teen

in ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training / Alcoholism / Drinking / Drugs & Alcohol / Intern / Marijuana / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Prevention / Setting Boundaries / Smoking / Teenage Smoking / Vaping  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Kenzie Bohnsack, Clinical PhD Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program

as children emerge

into their teenage years, parents may begin to worry about their adolescent’s use of substances, such as alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other drugs. Substance use is often initiated and quite common during adolescence. Alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are the most commonly used substances by adolescents. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2018), 75% of all high school students have used addictive substances. Furthermore, more than two-thirds of students have tried alcohol by the 12th grade, 32% of 10th graders and 37% of 12th graders reported vaping in the past year, and 38% of high school students reported having used marijuana in their life.

Active involvement and support from a caregiver or caring adult is crucial in preventing early substance abuse. Frequent communication about risks, rules and consequences, and monitoring activities will decease the likelihood an adolescent will use addictive substances. Youth are 50% less likely to use drugs when their parents or caregiver communicate about the dangers of substance use early and often, compared to youth who do not receive these messages at home.

Signs to watch out for:

It may be hard to identify or know whether or not your teen is using substances. A few (although not the only) signs to keep an eye out for are:

  • Decline in school performance
  • Shifts in mood and personality
  • Abrupt changes in friends
  • Behavioral changes
  • Abnormal health issues or sleeping habits
  • Deteriorating relationships with family
  • Less openness and honesty
  • Changes in appearance (e.g., frequent red/flushed cheeks, red eyes/constricted/dilated pupils)

How do you talk with your teen about substances?

When considering how to talk with your teen about substances, first allow yourself to get in the right frame of mind (e.g., feeling calm and relaxed). Maintaining an open and objective perspective will increase the likelihood your teen will be receptive. Adolescents are less likely to be receptive when they feel judged or condemned. Engage your teen in a discussion or conversation rather than lecturing at them. Try using open-ended questions (e.g., tell me more about…) and active listening (e.g., reflecting back what you hear them say). For example, saying “you can’t because I’m your parent and I said so” is highly ineffective and may result in your teen shutting down, becoming angry, or lead to your teen to feel shame which in turn could lead to substance use behaviors. An equal and active dialogue where your teen is able express their own concerns and feelings will increase the chances that they will feel comfortable being honest with you. Consider how you would want to be talked to when discussing a difficult subject matter and be clear, direct, and honest when setting limits as well as identifying specific consequences should a rule be broken. Be mindful of your own body language (i.e., using open gestures like uncrossed legs/arms) and try to avoid using words like but, should, bad, stupid, disapprove, disappointed, and can’t.

It is never too early to start the conversation about substances. According to the National Institute on Drugs (2019), teens are less likely to use substances when they feel their parents are involved. Caring adults can play a significant role in guiding youth towards a happy, healthy, and safe life.

 

References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/features/teen-substance-use.html

National Institute on Drug Abuse (2018). Monitoring the Future Survey: High School and Youth Trends. www.drugabuse.gov/relatedtopics/trends-statistics/infographics/monitoring-future-2018-survey-results

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (2019). www.drugabuse.gov

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) (2015). www.ncadd.org/family-friends/there-is-help/talking-with-children

North Dakota State University (2019). A parent’s role in substance use prevention: Tips for talking to youth of all ages. https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/kids-family/a-parents-role-in-substance-use-prevention-tips-for-talking-to-youth-of-all-ages

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