Conversation starters for caregivers about drugs and alcohol
Underage drinking and drug consumption is a significant public health issue in the United States. And today, kids are introduced to drugs and alcohol at a younger age than in past generations.
About 3,300 kids, age 12, try marijuana each day. Additionally, about 50 percent of 15-year-olds have tried alcohol. The numbers only increase as children age. On the flip side, when family members invest in children, we know they are more likely to thrive. For American Indian and Alaska Native communities, elders hold essential lessons and foundational knowledge that can be key to developing positive youth cultural identity and life skills.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), children make better choices when they have a solid and open relationship with their parents. Kids are more likely to follow the rules about drugs and alcohol if families share the rules in a supportive and nurturing environment.
If you have a teen, it’s not too early to start talking about illegal substances, their consequences and techniques for saying no.
Here are three conversation starters for caregivers:
1. I know peer pressure is tough…
The National Institute of Health (NIH) explains that one of the reasons that adolescents engage in drug and alcohol consumption is negative peer pressure. Peer pressure can influence kids to do things they do not want to do just to fit in. But succumbing to peer pressure can have consequences long after the moment of tension passes. An open conversation with your child about negative peer pressure can help them assess their friendships and make better choices regarding drinking and drug use. When you’re discussing peer pressure, help them understand that it is ok to say no and that peer pressure is at an all-time high during adolescence. Perhaps, share a time when you had to navigate peer pressure and remind them that you are always there if they need to vent, talk or process their relationships.
2. If you’re feeling anxious, there are tools to help you…
Another factor that can lead to underage drinking and drug misuse is mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, the mental health state of adolescents continues to decline. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report: 2011-2021, 42 percent of high school students experienced persistent sadness and hopelessness. Additionally, 18 percent made a suicide plan and 10 percent attempted suicide. Evidence shows that preteens and teens use alcohol and other substances as a coping mechanism and that use can exacerbate the negative impacts of mental health struggles. Initiating an open conversation with your children about mental health and their emotions can be extremely helpful in avoiding harmful coping behaviors. For example, teaching them healthy coping responses such as exercise, meditation and journaling can give them a relief valve when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
3. There are consequences to breaking the rules…
Underage drinking and drug misuse are dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preteens and teens who engage in these activities have an increased risk of suicide and homicide; they are more likely to experience physical and sexual violence, and they are more likely to have changes in their brain development that may have life-long effects. Overly relying on scare tactics will likely backfire, because as you know, adolescents want to assert their independence and try new things. Instead, emphasize the facts. Tell your child that alcohol is bad for their growing brain; it hampers judgment and can make them sick.
Depression and anxiety are more prevalent in young adults who drink, too. Set household rules that include consequences if your child breaks the rules. Tell your child your expectations for them in a safe, loving environment and follow through if issues occur. Know that children are testing the waters and might make a mistake. How you respond during difficult times are just as important as how you prep them for tough situations.
References:
NHI: Underage Drinking
CDC: Underage Drinking
Nationwide Children: Put Peer Pressure in Its Place
SAMHSA: Alcohol Use
CDC: Mental Health
Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021
SAMHSA: Why You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs