The Partnership at Drugfree.org recommends six alternatives to reduce the chance that adolescents will drink, use drugs, or engage in other risky behaviors.
- Build and maintain a supportive relationship with your child.
- Be a good role model when it comes to drinking, taking medicine, and handling stress.
- Know your child’s risk level. Decades of research have shown that some teens are at higher risk than others to develop substance abuse problems. Some of the common risk factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse are, family history, mental or behavioral disorder, trauma, and impulse control problems.
- Know your child’s friends.
- Monitor, supervise, and set boundaries.
- Have ongoing conversations and provide information about drugs and alcohol. An open communication with your teenager can help build a healthy, supportive relationship. Besides, it can also avoid and reduce conflict in your relationship.