Millions of
underage teens around the world abuse alcohol and drugs each year. Make sure
your teen isn't one of them. Back-to-school
season is a flurry of activity for parents of adolescents and teenagers.
Clothes, electronics, accessories, and signing up for extra classes can make an
already busy schedule seem overwhelming. And yet it is important to be mindful
of the limits and expectations we set for our children, if they are to
successfully navigate the peer pressure they may encounter at school.
#1 Set
Firm Limits About Alcohol Use
Children learn much of how they should
respond and be expected to behave from experiences at home. Some research
suggests that at six years old, children understand that alcohol is off-limits
to kids. In fact, many children have formed the impression that drinking is not
a big deal by age 14. Where do they get these messages? Primarily at home. This
means that while there are many influences we cannot control, such as media and
the internet, we can influence some of these expectations from the home front.
The following are useful strategies
for creating healthy attitudes towards and behaviours with alcohol. First,
consume alcohol responsibly and communicate that underage drinking is not
acceptable. Second, there is considerable research that shows that when parents
are more engaged in their children's lives, their offspring are at
significantly less risk for using drugs and alcohol. So, be sure to keep track
of your child's activities and friends and maintain trust through caring
communication.
#2 Do
Not Use Illicit Drugs
Alcohol use, though carrying great
health, financial, and social risks, is legal in almost every country. In
contrast illicit drug use poses additional risks because of legal and criminal
liabilities. For this reason, it is important to set a positive example and
abstain from drug use.
This is equally true for marijuana,
which is now becoming legal or de-criminalised in some areas. While gaining
greater social acceptance, marijuana nonetheless poses health and behavioural
risks, especially for developing children. Teenagers who chronically use
marijuana have shown significant changes in their personality as well as their
academic performance. Therefore, it is important to avoid exposing teens to
drug use of any kind, including marijuana.
#3 Be
Careful with “Study Aids”
Teenagers are under a lot of pressure
to get good grades. A great number of students are now prescribed stimulants to
treat attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as Ritalin or
Adderall. These days, however, more and more students who do not have a
prescription are getting access to these drugs and using them for studying. It
is important that you explain the dangers and risks of using drugs without a
prescription so that your children avoid these powerful stimulants.
If you are concerned about addiction, please contact one of our specialists today.
(These articles are the sole property of “The Cabin Chiang Mai”, they are its original
authors.)
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