Unity Health

Top Ten Ways Parents Can Prevent Their Child from Using Drugs and Alcohol

1. Create a safe, supportive environment to discuss the risks of alcohol and drug use. Allow for open and honest sharing with your teen, letting them know you are concerned for their well-being.

2. Use everyday “teachable moments” as conversation starters. These are drug- or alcohol-related events in the news or media that parents can use as springboards for discussion with their teen.

3. Connect with teens to find out what they know about drugs and alcohol and how they feel about the pressures they face. Teens may not have accurate information about alcohol or drugs and may need some clarification. Help your teen deal with pressures in a way that does not involve alcohol and drug use.

4. Communicate expectations clearly and what the consequences of use will be. Make sure your teen is clear on what the rules are around alcohol and drug use and be firm and consistent with consequences of use.

5. Get to know your teen’s friends. This will give you a better understanding of peer influences your teen may face.

6. Monitor your teen’s whereabouts and online activity. Statistics show that teens who are monitored are 4 times less likely to use alcohol and drugs.

7. Encourage community involvement and productive activities. Filling time with positive activities promotes good self-esteem and teaches teens to have fun in their community with drug-free activities.

8. Have family meals. Statistics show that the more times per week a family has a meal together, the less likely a teen is to have issues with alcohol or drugs.

9. Educate yourself on current trends of substance use. Times have changed since many parents were teens. There are new and different substances and ways of usingthese substances. Staying current is a good way for parents to catch the warnings signs associated with use. Sign up for a weekly fact at www.unitychemicaldependency.org.

10. Ask for help and support. If you have concerns that your teen is using consult a substance abuse professional for guidance, support, and available resources.

1. Create a safe, supportive environment to discuss the risks of alcohol and drug use. Allow for open and honest sharing with your teen, letting them know you are concerned for their well-being.

2. Use everyday “teachable moments” as conversation starters. These are drug- or alcohol-related events in the news or media that parents can use as springboards for discussion with their teen.

3. Connect with teens to find out what they know about drugs and alcohol and how they feel about the pressures they face. Teens may not have accurate information about alcohol or drugs and may need some clarification. Help your teen deal with pressures in a way that does not involve alcohol and drug use.

4. Communicate expectations clearly and what the consequences of use will be. Make sure your teen is clear on what the rules are around alcohol and drug use and be firm and consistent with consequences of use.

5. Get to know your teen’s friends. This will give you a better understanding of peer influences your teen may face.

6. Monitor your teen’s whereabouts and online activity. Statistics show that teens who are monitored are 4 times less likely to use alcohol and drugs.

7. Encourage community involvement and productive activities. Filling time with positive activities promotes good self-esteem and teaches teens to have fun in their community with drug-free activities.

8. Have family meals. Statistics show that the more times per week a family has a meal together, the less likely a teen is to have issues with alcohol or drugs.

9. Educate yourself on current trends of substance use. Times have changed since many parents were teens. There are new and different substances and ways of using these substances. Staying current is a good way for parents to catch the warnings signs associated with use. Sign up for a weekly fact at www.unitychemicaldependency.org.

10. Ask for help and support. If you have concerns that your teen is using consult a substance abuse professional for guidance, support, and available resources.

Unity Chemical Dependency is the Rochester area's most experienced adolescent treatment provider. We offer adolescent-specific programs based on the unique needs of teens at our convenient locations in Brighton, Greece, and Rochester, NY. Parents can sign up for a weekly fact and find important resources on teen drug use at www.unitychemicaldependency.org.