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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-201808161456
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 teenagersuntangled@gmail.com
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You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk

Drugs: How to talk to my teenager, and divorce and kids staying over. 20

Parenting Teens Untangled - Realistic, science-backed teen & tween parenting advice