Clint Eastwood Youth Program - CEYP Newsletter

Issue 30: Adolescents at Risk — Illicit Drug and Alcohol Use

issue30.pdf

By the age of 14, 35 percent of youth have engaged in some form of drug use. By the end of high school, more than 50 percent of teens have tried at least one illicit drug. Teens who begin using drugs/alcohol before the age of 15 are more likely to develop a lifelong dependence on illegal substances.

Teens at risk?

Factors associated with the increased risk of drug and alcohol use include:

• Poor parent-child relations — Living in a stressful home environment with relatively little parental support and monitoring increases the likelihood that a child will experiment with drugs.
• Family environments that model drug use — Parental or sibling drug/alcohol use makes drugs and alcohol more a “part of life,” increases accessibility, and may lead to increased acceptance of use. Additionally, drug and alcohol use may limit parents’ availability and parenting effectiveness.
• Peer drug use — Teens whose friends use drugs and alcohol are more likely to experiment themselves.
• High-risk communities — Living in a community where drug use is widespread also makes drugs more accessible and normalizes their use.
• Low self-esteem — Adolescents who do not have a positive view of themselves, or who lack support and encouragement, often turn to drugs and/or alcohol.
• Poor school achievement — Teens with a negative attitude about school and low expectations of school or life success are also at increased risk. Teens who use drugs and alcohol typically have a decline in grades, as well as other school problems.

What can parents do?

• Keep the lines of communication open. The hectic pace of modern life can put a strain on any family, but keeping up to date with your children’s interests and friends is key to staying connected.
• Have ongoing conversations with your children (vs. giving a one-time speech). Be clear that you expect them not to use drugs/alcohol. Talk about what is important to them, help them figure out how to achieve goals, and support their strengths. Especially with teenagers, parents may feel their influence is waning. But even in the teen years, parents can have more influence than anyone else in their children’s lives.
• Appropriately monitor your teen’s activities and behaviors. Teens who are not regularly monitored are four times more likely to use drugs and alcohol than those whose parents take an active interest in their lives.
• Do not involve your children/teens in adult use of alcohol or drugs (letting them have a sip, having them get you a glass of wine or a drink).
• Take an honest look at your own behavior. Parental use of alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs significantly increases both the likelihood that their children will also use and the risk of teenage alcohol and drug dependence.
• Model constructive ways to deal with stress. Seeing their parents use alcohol to cope with problem situations (i.e., “It was an awful day, I need a drink”) leads teens to believe that turning to alcohol or drugs is an appropriate way to deal with tough situations.
• Talk with your teens about the stress in their lives and help them develop effective coping mechanisms. Remember, teens may experience something as extremely stressful while adults may not even be aware the event has occurred.
• Because teens need to rebel against their parents’ choices, empower your teens as often as possible to make their own choices. And let them know you trust that they can and will make reasonable decisions.
• Help your children make positive choices about friends and who they spend time with; talk about what makes good friends, and what goes into making good decisions.
• Encourage your children’s self-esteem by praising their efforts and achievements. Help them master the things they are good at. Show them you care through your involvement in their lives/activities.
• Take advantage of teachable moments. Ask your children how they feel about things they see/ read/hear. When you take the opportunity to ask what they think, you may also find an opportunity to explain your position.
• Be clear, firm, and consistent. Teens who know their parents will not tolerate illegal drug use tend to resist peer pressure better than those whose parents avoid the issue or send mixed messages.