Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Talk to your child about drugs
• Method 2 of 3: Prevent drug use
• Method 3 of 3: Instill Good Habits in Your Child

Every parent wants their child's well-being, so all parents want to teach their child to give up drugs. For a child to truly learn to say no to drugs, it is important to remember that prevention is easier than remedial. Start talking to your child about the dangers of drugs as early as possible so that he or she is comfortable discussing the topic with you. Continue the dialogue through media and role play, and teach your child to tell you that someone suggested drugs.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Talk to your child about drugs

1. 1 Lay the foundations for early and regular drug talk. Your task is to create conditions for free talk about drugs, so it is worth starting as early as possible. Use everyday situations to explain to your child what you expect from him. For example, talk about this when you give your child cough syrup.
   • You might put it this way: “Never take medication unless a doctor, nurse, or adult family member gives you. Taking medicine from other people is dangerous. "
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Klare Heston, LCSW

   
   
   Licensed Social Worker Claire Heston is a licensed independent clinical social worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. She has experience in educational counseling and clinical supervision, and received her Master's degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also completed a two-year continuing education course at the Cleveland Institute of Gestalt Therapy and is certified in family therapy, supervision, mediation, and trauma therapy.

   Klare Heston, LCSW
   Licensed social worker

   Children need to learn the truth about drugs from you. Claire Heston, Clinical Social Worker, explains: “It's important to teach kids that drugs are dangerous. If they do not learn the truth from you, they may listen to someone else who will extol these substances. "

   
   
2. 2 Ask your child about his or her beliefs about drugs. To understand where you should focus your efforts, find out what your child knows and thinks about drugs. Is he aware of the dangers associated with them? If he does, you will understand how you should frame your message.
   • You can say this: "I would like to know what you know about drugs?"
   • Listen carefully to the answer. Then correct the child's misconceptions and give him the key facts.
3. 3 Teach your child to distinguish between prescription drugs and illegal substances. Explain when it is good to take drugs and when it is bad. Use words and descriptions that are appropriate for the child's age.
   • You can explain to your child that taking antibiotics helps him get better when his throat hurts. But even if the medicine was prescribed by a doctor, it is important to take only those medicines that were prescribed to the child and refuse from strangers.
   • Consider the age and development of your child. You can say this: “The medications that the doctor will give you can and should be taken. But if the medicine is offered by a person on the street or a friend, you have to refuse, because it is dangerous. "
   • If the child is very young, you can say this: “Taking drugs is very harmful. It's like eating from the ground. "
4. 4 Stick to the facts. Explain to your child how drugs affect the body, brain, and behavior. If necessary, show your child a YouTube video or read materials about the effects of drugs so that the child can see the effect.
   • You can put it this way: “Drugs change the way the brain works, which makes a person need more and more drugs. This is called addiction. These changes can cause a person to have problems at school, make him refuse to communicate with friends, and even create problems with law enforcement. And if a person suddenly stops taking drugs, he becomes very bad, because the body becomes dependent on the substance. "
   • Do not lie to your child to scare him (for example, "marijuana will kill you!"), Because this can have the opposite effect. If you lie, the child will stop trusting you. Better to tell the truth: “There are very often impurities in drugs, even in marijuana. Because of this, any drugs are dangerous and unpredictable. "
5. 5 Use examples in the media. Get in the habit of talking about the dangers of drugs using situations in movies, on the news, or on social media.
   • For example, if a movie shows a teenager taking drugs from a friend, explain why you shouldn't.
   • This could lead to a deeper discussion of the negative consequences of using both prescription drugs and illicit substances.

Method 2 of 3: Prevent drug use

1. 1 Explain family rules and expectations to your child. Be firm in your values ​​(no drug use) and set rules that align with those values. By following the rules, the child will learn self-control. In addition, it will help the child understand the negative consequences of violation of the rules (for example, deprivation of privileges).
   • Together with your partner (if you have one) or your second parent, consider what the rules should be to reflect your values. Also consider what the consequences of breaking these rules might be.
   • Explain these rules to all your children so that they know what is expected of them.
   • Place the rules on the fridge or some other common place to keep the kids in mind.
2. 2 Encourage your child to do something that will reduce the likelihood of using drugs. If a child is engaged in useful activities with good people, the likelihood that he will try drugs will be lower. Encourage people to participate in sports, music, and other community activities that bring drug-addicted adults and children together.
   • For example, you could mandate each of your children to have extracurricular activities. This will make them less bored and bored, and will see that they can have a good time without drugs.
3. 3 Play scenarios in which the child learns to give up drugs. At some point, the child will have the opportunity to try drugs, so it is important to prepare him for this opportunity. Walk through the most likely scenarios and talk about how your child should respond to peer pressure.
   • For example, you might imagine that you are a close friend who offers marijuana. Ask your child to show how they will react in this situation.
   • Give your child hints and comment on their actions to make it easier for them to refuse.
4. 4 Encourage independent thinking. If your child starts repeating everything his friends do, at some point he may start taking drugs. To help your child learn to think for themselves, encourage the child's independent decisions, even if they are not the same as those of friends.
   • You can start at an early age and continue this work as your child grows up. For example, if you have a very young child, you might say, “I know that all your friends take sandwiches with them to school, but I thought, would you like to take some yogurt with you? Shall we try replacing the sandwich for a change? "
   • If you have an older child, you might ask a question while shopping: “If popularity didn't matter, what sneakers would you like to buy? What do you like exactly you?»
5. 5 Take an interest in your child's life. Know what your child is doing and who they are spending time with. This will help keep him away from drugs. The closest circle of the child has a significant impact on his beliefs and opinions.
   • Invite your child's friends to your home to get to know them. Also try to get to know the parents of the child's friends.
   • Attend your child's performances or sporting events, and other activities the child participates in or attends. This will allow you to observe what kind of people are present at these events and whether their values ​​coincide with yours.
   • Knowing what your child is doing and who he or she is communicating with can help you spot signs of a problem in time and intervene if necessary.
6. 6 Spend quality time with your child. Set aside time to socialize with your family and alone with your child at least once a week. If you have a close relationship, your child is more likely to respect you, follow your example, and be able to talk to you about difficult topics.
   • Do something fun together: go bowling, plant plants, swim, be creative.
   • Use shared time to create the environment for communication with your child. Talk about everything: about friends, about school, about the interests of the child and his views on the world.
7. 7 Praise your child to build healthy self-esteem. Mention the child's successes and efforts often and be sure to praise him for his achievements: for example, express admiration for a drawing he has drawn, or praise for an A in a complex subject.
   • Communicating positively with your child will reduce the risk of developing self-doubt. For this reason, the child will not take drugs and will not be influenced by friends who do drugs.
   • Even if it is difficult for the child, praise him for his efforts and for making the right decisions. You could say, “I know you have had a difficult week, but I can see that you are trying,” or, “I am proud that you are striving to make the right decisions; if you need help, I am ready to help. "

Method 3 of 3: Instill Good Habits in Your Child

1. 1 Set an example for your child. Children often follow the lead of their parents, so you should give up bad habits. Do not smoke, restrain the urge to overeat and buy too many things, do not abuse drugs and alcohol. Do not take other people's medications so your child can see that you are following your own advice.
   • If you have an addiction, get help. Work with a therapist to overcome addiction and become an example for your child.
   • Children are very receptive. Even if it seems to you that you are good at hiding a bad habit, the child probably knows about it.
2. 2 Emphasize the importance of healthy habits. Good habits should become the norm in your home. Feed your family wholesome food, exercise together, sleep well, and deal with stress without resorting to any substance.
   • Pay special attention to caring for your body, take care of your body and mind, and love yourself. If you follow your principles, your child will follow your example.
3. 3 Show your child how to solve problems without using stimulants. Think about what your actions are telling your child. Even if you allow yourself a glass of wine from time to time, make sure that your child does not perceive drinking alcohol as an attempt to get away from problems or as a way to recover at the end of a difficult week.
   • Say this: “Today was a difficult day. I think I should take a bath and listen to some quiet music. "
   • This will help your child learn healthier ways to deal with stress and bad moods.
4. 4 Be prepared to share your experiences. If you have used drugs in the past, be prepared to answer questions from a curious child. Try to draw conclusions from your experience and describe to your child the lesson you learned.
   • For example, you might say, “Yes, I have used drugs in the past. While studying at the university, it was difficult for me to survive the separation from my family. Instead of hanging out with friends or family, I started using drugs. My grades plummeted and I was almost expelled from the university, but I was able to stop in time. I know from my own experience how much drugs can affect life. "