Thriving Kids Podcast Discusses How Caregivers Should Talk to Teens About Drugs and Alcohol
A majority of teenagers will come across alcohol, marijuana, or vaping before they finish high school, but experimenting in adolescence is not the same thing as a substance abuse problem.
The latest Thriving Kids podcast episode discusses how caregivers can tell the difference and how it’s important to stay close enough to their child to notice when something changes.
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In the episode, Dave Anderson, PhD, senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education for the Child Mind Institute, discusses the topic with Aaron Hogue, PhD, a clinical psychologist and senior vice president of research and clinical science from the Partnership to End Addiction, and Molly Bobek, LCSW, a family therapist who leads the organization’s clinical training.
The podcast focuses on the warning signs that separate experimentation from something more serious, including why using alone is a bigger red flag than using with friends. There is also a discussion about why scare tactics tend to backfire; how to stay calm, curious, and caring when your teen comes home from a party; what good treatment looks like; and why a strong relationship at home is one of the best forms of prevention.
Some strategies from the Child Mind Institute for helping caregivers talk with teens about drugs and alcohol include:
Make it a conversation, not a lecture. The most effective talks about substance use don’t happen all at once. Let your teen know you’d like to discuss it, ask what they are seeing among their peers, and keep the conversation going over time.
Be clear about expectations. Teens benefit from knowing where you stand, so explain your family’s rules about alcohol and drugs, the consequences if rules are broken, and the reasons why boundaries are important.
Be honest about risks, while avoiding scare tactics and exaggeration. Teens are more likely to listen when adults are straightforward about how substances can affect judgment, safety, school, and mental health.
Talk with them, not down to them. Speak to your teen the way you’d want to be spoken to because they are quick to spot condescension. They tend to open up more when they feel heard, rather than judged.
Put safety first. Make sure your teen knows they can call you from an unsafe situation without getting in trouble that night. You can talk it through the next day, once everyone is calm.
Know when it’s more than experimenting. Many teens will encounter alcohol, marijuana, or vaping. More concerning signs include frequent use, changes in mood or behavior, declining school performance, withdrawal from activities they previously enjoyed, or using substances to cope with difficult feelings.
To learn more, listen to the latest Thriving Kids podcast episode.