Parenting Advice: Talking with Kids about Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

How do I bring up the conversation?

The question is at what age to you begin educating your kids about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol?   There is not real set age you should begin discussing it, but it should be when they are mentally able to understand what drugs and alcohol are and what they can do to their bodies.

Usually around the age of ten or when your child is in the 4th grade is when they are ready and able to understand the basics of what you are trying to convey to them.  Don’t over-whelm them with fear tactics or gory details; just explain what drugs are, the types of drugs, what they do, and how harmful they are.  As for alcohol, give them the same details about the different types they might be offered and what can happen if they drink it; such as alcohol poisoning, hangovers, and extreme vomiting. 

There are several ways that the conversation can be approached; the least of which is having them sit down, formally, and feeling as though they are being drilled by you.  You can rent a video that depicts drug addicts or alcoholics and when the video is over ask them what they think about it.  The younger they are, the easier it is to get them to listen.  If you wait until they are teenagers, they already know all the facts; probably more than you do, so it’s important to begin the lines of open communication early so they know they can ask you questions in the future.

The conversation should be natural and not rehearsed.  Don’t make them think they are at a lecture and have to sit through it until you are done saying all you have to say.  You should make it a question and answer type of talk; giving them the opportunity to ask questions; no matter how silly they might be.  If they are asking questions that means they have listened to what you have been saying.

What type of drugs should I talk about?

There are many, many different types of illicit drugs on the street for sale.  Some of these drugs are more easily attainable for young children and teens. I would first do some research and find out as much as you can about each of the following drugs I list and print out pictures of what these drugs look like.  You should also remember that drug abuse or use isn’t contained to illicit narcotics; abuse can come in the form of very easily obtained items that your child can find in your home or buy at the store.  Here are some of the things you should talk to your kids about:

• Marijuana or commonly called “pot”:  it is smoked through a pipe or rolled up in cigarette or cigar papers called “joints or blunts”. 
• Meth or commonly called “crystal ice or crank”:  this is a highly addictive and very dangerous drug as well as affordable and easy to obtain. It is inhaled, injected, or swallowed.
• Cocaine or commonly known as “coke”:  This is a white powdery substance that is inhaled through the nose, smoked, or injected intravenously. 
• Crack: This is a by-product of cocaine and is smoked through a pipe.  This drug is one of the most addictive drugs; it is said that after using it just one time, a person can get hooked.

Other types of things kids use to get high are by common household products.  These include:

• Compressed air:  they will inhale the fumes from any type of product that uses compressed air to force the substance out, such as computer duster, Ready Whip, or just about anything they think will get them that immediate buzz.  This is called “huffing” and kids are also using gasoline as one of the items to huff to obtain a high. 
• Autoerotic asphyxiation:  this is one of the newest forms of erotic type pleasure kids, teenagers, and adults are practicing.  They strangle themselves to the point of passing out which is said to give them an over-whelming feeling of pleasure.  However, there have been many deaths associated with this practice.  It is very dangerous but becoming very popular among young children and teens.

Where can I find this information?

Information about these drugs and harmful practices are contained all over the Internet, but your best resource would be your local library, but you can also contact local drug and alcohol clinics to get even better information. If you search online make sure the source is a reputable site; look for “.org, .edu. or .gov” for the best sites. 

As your child gets older and comes to the age of adolescence you should continue your conversations with them to make sure they are still aware of the risks and if they have any further questions.  Being open and honest with your kids is the best way to make sure they feel safe coming to you with questions or concerns such as if one of their friends has offered them some type of drug or alcohol and they didn’t know what to do.  If you are there without being judgmental, they will share their concerns with you.

You must keep in mind, however, that as kids get to be teenagers their agendas differ quite a lot.  What you told them as children they accepted, but as teenagers they will tend to listen more to their peers than to your advice.  They don’t want to be set apart from the crowd because of their lack of participation, so it is very important to know who your kids are hanging out with and what type of behavior they have displayed in the past.

You can’t be with your kids 24 hours a day but you can do your best to inform them and make sure they know all the facts before they are offered something that can hurt them or even kill them.  All you can do is prepare them and hope they listen.