Act Quickly if You Suspect Your Child is Using

Substance use puts teens at risk for many negative outcomes; help them make healthy choices and get support when you need it.

  • If you co-parent, talk to your partner and make a plan together
  • Brainstorm what you’ll say, how you’ll say it, and when
  • Evaluate and limit access to substances in your home

What is at risk?

Not every young person who uses alcohol and other drugs will experience serious problems. However, every young person who does use substances increases their risk of adverse consequences, including but not limited to:

* future substance use problems, including addiction * mental health challenges * impaired driving * being either a victim or perpetrator of sexual assault/violence * decline in academic achievement and/or dropout * criminal justice/legal consequences

What Comes Next?

  • Work with your teen to identify problems that may be related to their substance use (mental health challenges, social anxiety, etc.)
  • Enact and deliver the clear consequences your family has established (if you haven’t created those expectations, do it now)
  • Increase monitoring: know who your child is with, where they are, and what they're doing
  • Create an exit plan with your child in case they find themselves in a risky situation
  • Connect with other caregivers about your concerns for additional support

Not all young people who have used alcohol or other drugs need professional treatment. Some may not have experienced serious problems related to their use (yet), which is why early intervention is an important step. Consider reaching out to your child’s primary care provider and school resources (guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, etc.) for support.

Screening tools are available to help determine the level of support needed.

Provided by the Partnership to End Addiction to help parents and caregivers understand the risks facing their children and identify the actions they can take to reduce the chances their children will use substances or experience problems with them based on responses.

Another tool is the Brief Screener for Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs (BSTAD) which consists of frequency of use questions to identify risky substance use by adolescents.

Treatment for Teens with Substance Use disorder is available

And recovery is possible!

23 million Americans are in recovery from addiction

Start your search with the organizations below

 
 
 
 

Find a Prevention Coalition Close to You

Consider reaching out to prevention coalitions or agencies that are familiar with local resources across the continuum of care from initiation to substance use disorder (addiction).

 

Support Our Work!

Support the One Choice prevention initiative of the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with a tax-deductible donation.

 

  • 64% of high school seniors reported no use of any substance in the past month
  • 36% of high school seniors reported no use of any substances in their lifetime

Know the risks of Youth Substance Use

  • While no one starts using substances expecting to become addicted, 9 in 10 adults with a substance use disorder (addiction) began their use before age 18, many even earlier
  • One of the best ways to reduce later risk of addiction is to delay first use
  • Youth substance use a health issue, not a moral issue: substance use can change brain functioning and some changes may last even after a person has stopped using


Recognize Important Differences Between Substance Use "Then" and "Now"

  • The addictive and harmful products accessible to youth have changed dramatically in the last several decades and include:
    • High potency (90% THC) dabs
    • Alcopops, sweetened alcoholic beverages appealing to kids with up to 12% alcohol by volume
    • Vape pens delivering the nicotine equivalent to a pack of cigarettes, also used to deliver THC and flavorings
    • Pills designed to look like legitimate prescription medications, often cut with fentanyl
  • Access to the ever-growing array of drugs has exploded thanks to online sales and social media connections


Establish clear expectations and consequences

  • While it may not always feel like it, parents and caregivers have a powerful influence on teen behavior: what you say and do matters.
    • Develop clear expectations of no use of any alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, nicotine, or other drugs
    • Model healthy behaviors for your kids
  • Talk about substance use as a health priority -- I care about your health and safety
    • Not using alcohol or other substances before age 21 is analogous to other health standards for youth. Parents/caregivers don't hesitate to set clear expectations about always wearing seat belts or bicycle helmets; why should substance use be different?
  • Make sure your kids know they can count on you if they need to get out of a risky siutation and create a plan together (e.g., have a "code word" they can text you to say they need a ride)
  • Don’t provide alcohol or other drugs to teens

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