Family: the first defense against drug abuse in children
According to a 1999 study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, teens who learned about the risks of drugs from their parents were up to 50% less likely to try drugs than teens who learned nothing at home.
It can happen to anyone
But where do I start?
What is I get THE question?
What if it's too late?
Treatment
It can happen to anyone
As part of the solution to prevent drug abuse, parents must accept that drugs, alcohol and cigarettes are available to their children and find ways to create open family discussion about them. "Parents need to understand that drug abuse and addiction can happen to anyone, just like cancer or heart disease. Also like like conditions, prevention is one of the keys to battling the disease," states Kevin Gregan, program director for Alcove, Virtua's substance abuse program.
But where do I start?
"First, parents need to educate themselves about substance abuse so they can be prepared to educate their children," states Gregan. "Then parents can look for 'teachable moments' with their kids to open up the lines of communication." An example may include using real-life stories from the newspaper or television to show the downside of drug or alcohol abuse.
What if I get THE question?
It's the question that parents fear most: "Did you ever do drugs?" And, it can be tough to answer unless parents prepare themselves ahead of time. Gregan, who has been working with victims of substance abuse for over 30 years, recommends answering only the questions children ask, without providing unnecessary details. "Let them know that you made decisions as a teen that you now know were a mistake, and that you want to help them avoid making the same mistakes."
What if it's too late?
Parents who think that their child may be doing drugs should seek the advice of an addiction counselor. The counselor can help parents understand the problem and put them in touch with the right resources to get help for the child. "The worst thing to do is ignore the problem or make light of it as 'just a phase,'" states Gregan. "Involving the family in treatment shows children just how important and loved they are, and increases their chances of successfully kicking the habit."
Treatment
Alcove, Virtua's substance abuse program, offers a variety of outpatient options for adults and adolescents seeking to understand and treat their use of alcohol, tobacco and other chemicals. For more information, please call 1-888-Virtua-3 (1-888-847-8823).