Is My Child at Risk for Substance Use?

Many parents wonder, “When is the right time to have a talk around substance abuse with my child?” The time to have this challenging discussion will vary for each child; there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it’s best to be proactive. Your child’s risk for exposure to substance use will increase as they reach their early teen years. And it’s not a matter of if they get exposed to substances; it’s a matter of when it happens. So once you determine the right time to talk to your child, what do you do next? What do you talk about, and how do you remain a source of support that your child can reach out to with any questions or concerns down the road? How can you most effectively navigate the conversation around substance use? Here are some tips to help you get things started…

First, consider what points you want to bring up—such as risk factors, warning signs, and preventative measures. Potential warning signs of substance abuse that you may want to discuss include:

• History of substance use in the immediate or extended family -
  Research shows that children are at a higher risk of develop a substance use disorder of their own if there is a family history of substance use.

• Mental health issues -
  Unmanaged mental health needs and lack of coping skills may lead to poor decision-making and as a result, increase a child’s risk of utilizing substances.

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) -
  ACEs cover a range of traumas that a child may have been exposed to early-on in life. Childhood traumas can overwhelm a child’s ability to cope, making them more susceptible to substance use.

• Poor academic achievement and minimal school engagement

• Social pressures (peers, media etc.)

• Association with substance using peers

• Minimal parental monitoring or indifferent/positive attitude towards substance use

It’s important to note that some risk factors can also be deterrents. For example, peer pressure is a strong factor in other peers’ experimenting with substances. The desire to fit in with other peers may lead a child towards substance use. However, if your child surrounds themselves with peers who also understand the negative impacts of substance use, they may be less likely to try harmful substances in the first place. Teens may be exposed to substances through school, social gatherings, and parties—all situations where you won’t be present to intervene. Therefore, having open dialogue regarding your child’s social peer groups can be critical in identifying their current or changing exposure to substances.

As a parent, your involvement and attitude towards substance use is critical as well. Parents who allow substance use under their supervision can send mixed messages around the topic. The best thing you can do is be a role model for your child and have conversations about the potential dangers of it. Giving your child a full understanding of the consequences of using substances can help your child make smart, informed choices while they’re out with friends.

Talking to your child about substance use isn’t easy, but it can be a key preventative measure for your child to avoid the consequences of substance use later on. First, understand the risk factors that may make your child more susceptible to substance use. Next, aim the conversation around informing your child about substance use, and then be supportive of what they tell you about their beginning exposures to substances. Be curious, supportive, and nonjudgmental in order to encourage open and honest sharing in the future. If your child feels safe to share, then this open dialogue, along with family engagement and monitoring, can help protect your child against future substance use.