How to help your teens say no to drugs

If you are a parent to a teen and you are worried about his education, social life, his health or his wellbeing, you are normal! The concern regarding your teen puts you, together with 100% of parents of teens around the world. One important issue parents are facing in recent years is the fear of the easy access and availability of drugs in their teens' daily life. While some parents think that teens use drugs only if they have problems at home or academic challenges at school, teens indicate other reasons: Availability of the drug Curiosity Wanting to be accepted Rebellion Depression A way to relax or cope with stress, boredom or pain To experience high or rush To feel OK, at least temporarily If you examine the reasons teens start using drugs, you can see a clear indication that their emotional state plays a major rule in their tendency to use drugs. If you have a happy, confident, accepted, cooperative and healthy teen, he will definitely avoid places where drugs are so available or will refuse unhealthy dangerous offers Research with parent and children indicates that one of the most effective methods to prevent young people from using drugs is a devoted parent who spends time with their teens, talks with them (not to them) about their friends, their school, their sports and what interests them. The research also reports that teens appreciate parents' advice and care a lot about what their parents think of them, their actions and their friends and consider this parental feedback a sign of caring.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Be a role model. In drugs, just like any other aspect of life, what you do will have a major influence of your teen's life. Practicing what you preach works here as the number one rule to strengthen your teen confidence in life. "Do as I say, not as I do" never works with children and destroys one of the most important ingredient in parenting – trust.
2. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Focus on the positive. In life, you get what you focus on. Make a habit of concentrating on the good in life and in your teen. Think and express the things you appreciate about him, reasons to be proud of him, things you are happy about regarding him. This focus will send messages of positive expectations rather than negative consequences.
3. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Spend time with your teen. We live in a very hectic life. Still, dedicate time to your teen. Go out with him to a movie, help him with his homework and go out on family outings. Make a date with your teen at least once a week to do something together.
4. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Take interest in your teen's life. If you want to be an important part of your teen's life, be an important part of his life by learning all there is to learn about your teen. Make sure you are aware of every aspect of his life. What are the names of his best friends, when he has what at school, what he loves to do and who his favourite singer is.
5. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Be honest and share your life with your teen. If you want your teen to share his life with you when you take interest in him, make sure you are honest about what happens in your own life. Tell him about your childhood, your challenges in the past and present, your successes and disappointments, good friends or friends that were not good for you and the choices you have had to make. Everything you want your teen to share with you, you have to share first.
6. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Tell them how much you love them. Even if they are no longer young kids and sometimes they are taller than you are, remember that they are looking for love, everywhere and all the time. Make sure they know how much you love them and say it every chance you get. Say it, write it and sing it every day of their life. A day without telling your kids how much you love them is a day wasted.
7. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Listen to your teen. Make your teen feel appreciated and valued as an important member of the family. Ask your teen what he thinks about family decisions. Ask for suggestions and opinions. If you listen, you are approachable and they will more likely come for help when they need it and will acquire a positive, healthy attitude towards adults.
8. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Touch your teen. The need for physical touch is so essential in your teen's life that he or she will do anything to have it. Anything! Even if they are grown ups, touch them, hug them and kiss them. It will lower the risks they take when they look for any physical contact.
9. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Favour emotional success over academic success. Many conflicts between parents and their teens are about school. Some parents think that knowledge and academic achievements play a major role in their kids' life, where in fact their emotional state is far more important. Whenever you have to choose between academic and emotional strength, remember, that their confidence and emotional intelligence will determine if they are strong enough to say no to things that are unhealthy for them.
10. How to help your teens say no to drugs by Ronit Baras Always keep communication channels open! Talk to your teens, tell them about your day and ask them about theirs. Tell them about your challenges and feelings and ask about theirs. Give and you shall receive. Write your teen notes, letters or emails. Keep the communication open even if you are not happy. Make sure you are calm and do not overreact. Always, always leave the door open for them to come back to you if they have made a mistake.

Tips & Warnings

• It takes a while before a small need for an emotional high becomes an addiction. Long before your teen enters the world statistics regarding teens and drugs, you can, with a consistent investment of your time and awareness, minimise your fear and maximise your teen's chace to live a happy, responsible and healthy life. Start early!