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Start Talking!
Know! Your Parental Role: First Line of Defense
11/14/2019
Alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug and alcoholism is a chronic
disease. In this tip, we focus on the role parents and caregivers play
when it comes to alcohol and other drugs.
According to Dr. Joseph Lee, addiction specialist and medical director
of the Hazelden Center for Youth and Family, parents and caregivers are
the first line of defense in the prevention and intervention of
underage drinking and other substance misuse.
Dr. Lee shares the following parental tips to help protect our children from the dangers of alcohol and other drugs:
Set expectations: Make it clear to your child you are against underage
drinking and drug use of any kind. Let the consequences be known should
the family rules be broken.
Address mental health issues: There is a link between mental health and
substance misuse in youth. More than two-thirds of youth who struggle
with substance misuse also struggle with mental health issues,
including anxiety, depression, ADHD and eating disorders.
Know that experimenting with substances is dangerous: Far too many
parents believe that experimenting with alcohol is a “rite of passage.”
While experimentation doesn’t necessarily lead to addiction, it can
cause big problems, including car crashes, injuries, sexual assault and
alcohol poisoning.
Set a good example: Research shows that youth are watching and taking
cues from their parents. We must model the behavior we want our
children to follow. That doesn’t mean we, as adults, have to abstain
from drinking alcohol to be good role models, but we must be
appropriate and responsible if and when we partake.
Remain open-minded: Being judgmental and close-minded is a surefire way
to shut down communication between you and your child. Remain calm when
talking through potential issues. You want them to feel comfortable
talking to you so that they will continue to come to you for help.
Consider family history: Just like cancer and heart disease, alcohol
and drug misuse problems can run in families. If it runs in your
family, be sure to talk to your child about it and let them know their
risk for addiction is increased. On the other hand, a child can develop
substance misuse problems without any prior family history.
Consider other risk factors: Just as obesity is a risk factor for
diabetes, substance misuse has its risk factors, including early
aggressive or disruptive behaviors, depression, ADHD and anxiety.
Know that intelligence doesn’t necessarily equal maturity: Just because
a child is smart doesn’t mean he or she is mature enough to have good
judgment about alcohol and substance use. The teen brain is impulsive
and primed to take risks, and it doesn’t fully mature until a person is
in their mid-20s.
Lock the liquor and medicine cabinets: Easy access and availability are
major risk factors for young people using substances. If you have
alcohol and/or medications in your home, keep both locked up and
monitor the quantities. For over-the-counter and prescription
medications, rid your cabinets of leftovers once they are expired or
you no longer have a need for them.
Be aware of changes in your child: Changes in sleep, mood, friends,
activity level, academic performance, weight and personal hygiene can
all signal alcohol or other substance misuse problems. Pay attention to
your child, ask about their day, and know that times of transition
(puberty, new school, relationship breakups) increase risk.
Seek help when needed: While two million children ages 12–17 experience
substance misuse problems, only about 13 percent ever receive the
treatment they need. If you think your teen may have a problem, seek
help immediately. Reach out to your family physician, pediatrician, a
child psychiatrist or other expert.
Dr. Lee also says parents can do all the right things and a child may
still end up with an alcohol or drug problem. He says to skip the guilt
and blame game, as it can divide a family at a crucial time when the
family needs to pull together as a team. Dr. Lee says not to ignore the
past, but to keep your eyes on the present; and that if you get your
child in therapy, there will be ample time to make things right.
For more information on prevention and early intervention visit Prevention Action Alliance’s website.
Remember to follow Start Talking! on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Learn how to get the drug prevention conversation started at StartTalking.Ohio.Gov.
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