ANSBACH, Germany (Oct. 21, 2014) -- Parents often perceive a gap between their own knowledge and their children's actions. Teenagers exercise their autonomy, and parents, mouths figuratively agape, feel the sting vicariously of their children's mistakes.
This is true in the realm of children and substance abuse, which is why it is paramount for parents to discuss alcohol and drug use in an open, honest and informative way. Children who learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are significantly less likely to use drugs, yet 20 percent report not hearing from their parents on the subject.
Parents often struggle with determining the appropriate age to discuss alcohol and drugs with their children. Parents may believe the misconception that if they talk with their child about alcohol and drugs, their child will become more interested in experimenting with them. Since it is common for school-age children to discuss alcohol and drugs with their peers, parents have to be ahead of the game by having these discussions and providing their child with accurate information. Children today can be exposed to illegal drugs as early as elementary school, so it's never too early to talk with them about drug abuse. It may feel uncomfortable to talk with your child about alcohol and other drugs, but parents who speak with their children about living a healthy lifestyle help their children develop to their greatest potential.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health said that adolescents ages 12 to 17 named drugs as the most important problem they face -- more than social pressure, violence, crime, or any other issue. Drugs are everywhere, and their influences are unbiased to geographic, economic and ethnic factors. The most commonly used drugs by children ages 12 to 17 are alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and nonmedical use of prescription medications.
The facts about alcohol, marijuana and tobacco provide the solid grounding upon which to talk to your children about substance abuse.
-- Alcohol
If your child is not yet drinking alcohol, he or she may be receiving pressure to drink from peers. Keeping quiet with your concerns of your child's potential alcohol use may give the impression that it's okay for children to drink alcohol. While parents who drink alcohol may feel hypocritical talking to their child about drinking alcohol, it's important to remember that alcohol affects young people differently than adults. The human brain reaches complete maturation between the ages of 18 and 25. When alcohol is used prior to the brain fully developing, it may lead to long-lasting intellectual effects. The younger a person is when they first begin to drink increases their likelihood of developing alcohol dependence later in life.
-- Marijuana
Rising marijuana use reflects changing perceptions and attitudes. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported that marijuana use in American high schools are now at a higher rate than tobacco use. This reversal in trend may be attributed to recent public discussions over "medical marijuana." Movements to legalize the drug for adult recreational use in some states may be giving children the impression that marijuana is safe. Since the hippocampus is the part of the brain most affected by marijuana use, a teenager using marijuana may experience problems in decision-making, concentration, coordination, learning, memory and proper brain development.
-- Tobacco
Tobacco may be easily accessible to children and adolescents, especially when it's in the home. It's important for children to know the negative consequences of tobacco use. In addition to all the commonly known affects of tobacco such as various forms of cancer, it's important to convey the highly addictive aspect of tobacco. This means, it becomes difficult to discontinue use of tobacco, even after becoming aware of its negative effects on one's health. After only a few weeks of using spit tobacco, users may experience white spots, sores and bleeding in the mouth. These symptoms and health changes are important to recognize as it may assist you with being diligent in awareness of drug use.
Here are some guidelines to help you get through the talk:
1. Ask yourself what you're trying to accomplish and focus on that goal. Establish and maintain good communication with your child. If your child can communicate their everyday issues with you, it may help them resist peer pressure to use alcohol or drugs to solve problems.
2. Control your emotions. You may feel shocked by some of the things your child informs you of. It is important to exercise active listening and nonjudgmental response. If your child feels emotionally safe to tell you anything, it is likely they will confide in you during tough decision-making.
3. Ask open ended questions. Children are more prone to share their feelings and opinions if they feel it matters. Avoiding yes-or-no questions, helps create a nonjudgmental conversation.
4. Become educated on the effects of alcohol and drugs. The more you are educated on the facts and issues surrounding alcohol and drug use, the more you can help your child become aware of its dangers.
For additional information on this topic or for confidential counseling services, call your Employee Assistance Program coordinator at 0980-283-3342/1710 or DSN 467-3342/1710.
Related Links:
USAG Ansbach Army Substance Abuse Program
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