20: Drugs: How to talk to my teenager about drugs, and how to deal with a teenager who says they don't want to stay with the other divorced parent.

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Drugs are everywhere; whether they are being peddled by pharmaceutical companies to fix medical problems, used as performance enhancers, or just for kicks, there's a really high chance that our teens will be offered them by someone.

The big question is how can we talk to our teens about them in a way that discourages dangerous habits or situations whilst letting them know that they can come to us for help and advice about what they're seeing and doing?

We discuss what drugs are, how to think through the subject as a parent, and how to talk with your teens to keep them safe.

Top tips from Sharon Levy MD:

1: Make your values and rules very clear, don’t be vague.
2: Ask and listen, but  resist the urge to lecture.
3: If your teen has used substances explore the reasons.
4: Intervene earlier rather than later. It’s hard to spot when it’s becoming a real problem.
5: Be mindful of any history of substance abuse in the family. It increases the risk.

To show your teen: https://www.kctv5.com/video/2022/09/21/mom-talks-about-son-fentanyl-overdose/

Also, divorce can be incredibly painful but one of the big problems parents can hit in the teen years is the teenager who decides they don't want to see the other parent. We talk about why this happens and how you can support your teen through it.

Resources: Starting with our favourites

• Website for finding out about drugs being used by teens, and their possible side-effects: https://www.talktofrank.com/
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/teens-and-drugs-5-tips-for-talking-with-your-kids-2018081614565

• https://childmind.org/article/mental-health-disorders-and-substance-use/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=pub_ed_nl_2022-07-26&utm_content=mental-health-disorders-and-substance-use
• https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/teenagers/drugs-alcohol/drugs-what-are-the-signs?referer=/advice/teenagers/drugs-alcohol
• https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20220726/potent-weed-marijuana-addiction-study
• https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/substance-use/index.htm
• https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/warning-signs-teen-substance-use
• https://www.unodc.org/unodc/press/releases/2021/June/unodc-world-drug-report-2021_-pandemic-effects-ramp-up-drug-risks--as-youth-underestimate-cannabis-dangers.html
• https://eu.indystar.com/story/news/health/2019/07/23/telltale-signs-drug-use-can-found-teens-bedroom/1779092001/
• https://www.nature.com/articles/npp201467

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I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.

My email is [email protected] The website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:
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Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:
www.amindful-life.co.uk