Many adults who have struggled with addiction first began using substances in adolescence. Parents may find it difficult to consider the possibility that their teenager could be using alcohol or drugs, but it is important to have conversations with young people about the dangers associated with substance use. At Cottonwood, in Tucson, Arizona, we provide residential and outpatient services for people who misuse alcohol and prescription and illegal drugs. We want to ensure that parents have the tools they need to prevent and rapidly treat addiction in their families.

Recognizing Risk Factors

Substance use isn’t limited to any specific group of young people, but certain things can increase the risk of a young person using alcohol or other drugs:

• Traumatic experiences in the child’s past or present, including abuse, death of a loved one, or witnessing violence the home or community
• Mental health struggles, like depression, anxiety, or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• Family history of substance use or favorable attitudes about substance use among family and friends
• Insufficient monitoring by parents
• For LGBT+ youth, inadequate acceptance and support
• School issues 

How Parents Can Be Proactive

There are no guarantees that your teen won’t try substances, but you can decrease their risk by taking the following steps:

• Build a strong, healthy relationship with your child. Praise and encourage good choices. Show them empathy and compassion. Give them access to therapy if they seem to be struggling with their mental health or adjusting to changes in their life.
• Set a good example by avoiding alcohol or only drinking in moderation, using medications as directed, and avoiding illicit substances.
• Give your child access to activities they enjoy that can reduce their interest in using alcohol or other drugs.
• Know what your child is doing and who they are with. Ensure that there is adequate adult supervision. When possible, encourage your teen to socialize with their friends in your home, where you can watch over them. Provide extra supervision and support during life transitions, such as moving, divorce, puberty, changing schools, illness, or death in the family.
• Have clear rules and consequences, which include a plan for what your child should do if they find themselves at a party with substances or if their driver has been drinking. Consistently enforce consequences if your teen does not follow the rules.
• Keep track of over-the-counter and prescription drugs and alcohol that are in your home, so that you quickly recognize if easily abused items are going missing.
• Recognize the warning signs that your child might be abusing substances:
  • Sudden changes in who they spend time with, their appetite, sleeping patterns, appearance, spending habits, or school performance/attendance
  • Changes in behavior, which could include mood swings, poor judgment, irresponsible behavior, loss of interest in activities they used to love
  • Withdrawing from family, friends, or school activities
  • Paraphernalia or unneeded medicine containers in the child’s room

Helping Teens Make Better Choices

Often, adolescents do not recognize the risks associated with drug use. Their curiosity and peer pressure may entice them to try alcohol or other substances. Parents can educate them about the dangers associated with drug abuse, which include:

• Dangers of driving while impaired
  • Damage to vehicle
  • Injury to self and others
  • Risk of death
• Risk of becoming addicted
  • Health consequences, which can include seizures, strokes, liver and heart issues, respiratory problems, and more
  • Social consequences
  • Overdose risk
• Risky sexual behavior, leading to:
  • Regret 
  • Unwanted pregnancies
  • Sexually transmitted infections
• Negative mental health outcomes
  • Worsening of current symptoms
  • Triggering of new mental health conditions
• Changes in school performance
  • Decreased grades
  • More difficulty finishing school
  • Decreased performance in sports

Timing Your Discussion about Addiction with Your Teen

When and how you talk to your child about substances is important. Don’t lecture your teenager when they are under the influence or try to have the conversation when either of you are angry or frustrated. Be ready to answer their questions or help them find answers.

• Choose a time and place where there are unlikely to be disruptions. Put away electronics and other distractions.
• Don’t just talk; listen to your child’s views on drugs.
• Discuss reasons why using drugs is not a good idea.
• Brainstorm ideas for how your teen can handle pressure from peers to drink or use drugs. Give them exit strategies, in case they find themselves in an awkward situation.
• Be honest about your own drug use. If you have used substances in the past, explain what you learned from that experience. If you chose not to, explain why you made that choice.

At Cottonwood, we offer treatment programs with individualized care plans developed to meet the unique needs of each patient we serve. Our family program helps the person we are treating and their support system to learn new ways of behaving and interacting to optimize recovery.