Substance Abuse Treatment
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Substance Abuse Prevention

In the prevention of substance abuse, it is important to establish and maintain good communication with your child. Get into the habit of talking with your child every day. Building a close relationship with her when she's young will make it easier for her to come to you when she has a problem. It will also help you become more sensitive to her mood changes. With a closer relationship to you, she'll be less likely to develop mental health problems and to experiment with alcohol or other illegal substances.

How Early Are Kids Starting Substance Abuse?
It's sometimes hard for adults, especially parents and caregivers, to imagine that children are using drugs. The fact is, however, that some young people are using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs by age 12 and sometimes even earlier. Recent findings from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey will give you an idea about the extent of drug use among 12- and 13-year-olds.

According to 2001 results of the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: Among youths aged 12 and 13 (the youngest ages surveyed), in their lifetime:

  • 12.6 percent had used an illegal substance. Illegal drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or any prescription-type psychotherapeutic medications used non-medically
  • 3.9 percent had smoked marijuana or hashish.
  • 6.1 percent had used an inhalant.
  • 5.6 percent had used a psychotherapeutic (non-medically).
  • 2.6 percent of 12-year-olds and 6.1 percent of 13-year-olds reported alcohol use.

If there can be any "good news" here, it is that trying a drug at least once doesn't mean a child is using it regularly. The percentages of teens using substances tend to decrease as we ask about use in the past year and during the past 30 days. For example, a little over 7 percent of 12 and 13-year-olds had used an illegal drug in the past year, and 3.8 percent had used in the past month. Unfortunately, for some drugs, once can be deadly.

As the statistics clearly show, the majority of youths aged 13 and younger are NOT using tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. It is understandable then, that parents might think "not my kid," but why take a chance? Use communication about the dangers of illegal drugs and alcohol as a prevention method for substance abuse.

Another substance abuse prevention strategy is getting involved in your child's life. Young people are much less likely to acquire substance abuse problems when they have positive activities to do and when caring adults are involved in their lives. Your involvement and encouragement is important. Tell your child that he and his activities are worthwhile and may help him identify and pursue positive goals as he gets older. Additionally, you will be better able to see changes in your child that may indicate a problem.

It is also important in the prevention of substance abuse that you make clear and sensible rules for your child. You must enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences. When you do this, you help your child develop daily habits of self-discipline. Following these rules can help protect your child's physical safety and mental well-being, which can lower her risk for substance abuse problems.

Here are some ways to encourage appropriate and responsible behavior:

  • Give positive attention for desired behavior. If your child comes home on time, thank him for doing so.
  • Help children express their feelings and communicate. If your child is hitting her sister, talk to her to find out where the anger is coming from and discuss other options to release it.
  • Let children make choices when appropriate. Instead of handing your child a list of chores, sit down with him and decide together which chores will be his responsibility.
  • Help your child see that choices have consequences. When your child chooses to stay up late to watch television on a school night, the next day she will realize how tired she is.
  • Act as a model of the appropriate behavior. If you're about to lose your temper, remember to count to 10 before speaking. This will remind your child to do the same and handle conflicts in a calm, rational manner.

Support your child's social development. Teach your child how to form positive relationships. Research shows that the pressure to use tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs comes most often from wanting to be accepted, wanting to belong, and wanting to be noticed. Help your child learn what qualities to look for in a friend, and advise him about what to say if offered harmful substances. These substance abuse prevention techniques will help you in maintaining a healthy and happy child.

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