My Child is using Drugs/Alcohol

My Child is using Drugs/Alcohol. What do I do now?

Talk to them Calmly
The first thing is take a deep breath and try to talk to them. Try and do this in a calm manner without being judgmental or accusatory. They may (or will) deny use, this is a natural reaction. Don’t argue with them about it, you know it, and they know you know it, but they will still deny it, this is an argument that you will never win. It is important that you keep the lines of communication open.

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Offer them support
It is natural as a parent to be upset, even angry. This were you need to take a deep breath and count to 10. You need to let your teenager know you are here for support. By approaching this in a calm manner and more on their level, they will be more open with us, maybe not right now but eventually. Having good communication in the beginning is must, Set boundaries - Many of us unknowingly enable our children, thinking we are being a good parent. We do this by denying the substance use is a problem, convincing ourselves “it’s just a phase” they are going through and by rescuing them, not letting them feel the consequences of their actions/choices. Now is the time to set clear boundaries and follow through.
Educate yourself and them
It is not only important that you recognize the substance use, but you need to educate yourself and your teen about the dangers associated with the use. Today more than ever education is the key! One pill can kill, they have no idea what they are taking, even if they are getting it from a friend. Addiction is a disease that is very hard to understand * Knowledge is Power* The more we know, the less they can manipulate us into thinking we do not know. Once you have a better understanding, then you can approach your child and talk about the long-term implications and effects.

Resources for more information:
Drugfree.org
Drugabuse.gov
Drugfreegenerration.org