How to Talk to Your Kids About Substance Use
Talking to Your Child About Drugs
Parents can help protect kids against drug use by giving them the facts before they're in a risky situation. This can make them less likely to experiment with drugs or to rely on friends for answers.
You're a role models for your kids, and your views on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs can strongly affect how they think about them.
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Why You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a ton of great resources for talking to your children about drugs, alcohol, driving impaired, vaping, and more.
They have fact sheets, brochures and more related to these topics.
Teens and drugs: 5 tips for talking with your kids
Parents of adolescents face a tough dilemma about substance use: we may want our children to be abstinent, but what do we do if they are not? While parents can and should communicate clearly that non-use is the best decision for health, we simply can't control every aspect of young people's lives. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to successful dialogue with teens about substance use, but these principles may be helpful.
Talking With Your Kids About Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco
Talking with your child about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco can be difficult. But don't ignore these topics. Children learn about these substances and feel pressure to use them at a very young age. If your child is older than 5, or anytime your child starts asking, start talking with them about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Here are some guidelines on how to start talking and how to help your kids be substance-free.
How to Talk to Your Teen About Substance Use
Talking to teenagers about drugs and alcohol is important. Teens need structure to stay safe. Having clear rules about drugs and alcohol can help. You can’t guarantee that your rules won’t be broken. But research shows that kids who have clear rules, even if they’re broken, are less likely to get into serious trouble than kids who don’t.
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What Can I Do to Prevent My Child from Vaping or to Help Them Stop?
The CDC has an entire section on their website dedicated to Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults. This resource not only has great ways to talk to your kids, but also information on Nicotine Addiction, Withdrawl, Facts about E-Cigarettes, and even more resources.
THE FACTS on e-cigarette use among youth and young adults
You can influence your children's decision about whether to use e-cigarettes. Even if you have used tobacco yourself, your children will listen if you discuss your struggles with nicotine addiction. Be clear that you don't approve of them smoking or using e-cigarettes, and that you expect them to live tobacco-free.
Find helpful facts on this page and a Parent Tip Sheet at the bottom of the page to help get you started talking to your kids.
Vaping: What Parents Should Know
Vaping is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). It’s common among teens.
By learning about vaping, parents can:
- Talk to their kids about its health risks.
- Recognize if their child might be vaping.
- Get help for kids who are vaping.
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