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Substance Abuse Prevention

Today, parents are asking for substance abuse prevention information to help teens avoid the pitfalls that lies in wait for the unaware in our culture. The beginning of keeping kids clear of these pitfalls is for the parents to act in responsible ways. That includes adults who stay away from illegal substances so that these children will not be tempted to follow in their footsteps. Another important step is for parents to give offspring clear instructions and guidance on how to avoid becoming a statistic as an abuser. This means spending time with the youngsters, showing them how to live appropriately. Teens will not ask for substance abuse help unless they have adults who show the way. Parents should have a talk about illegal drugs when children are in early elementary school because these youngsters may already be confronted with this temptation.

There are other ways to heighten substance abuse prevention for children and teens. One is to be careful about how drugs are used in the home. For example, if adults are offered drinks each time someone visits the home, teens will learn that social activities are accompanied by drinking. People need to show how to have fun without using some type of extra accompaniment. If a parent uses legal medication too quickly, such as at the first sign of pain or nervousness, the child will learn that drugs are a panacea for all kinds of minor problems. These children will then use medications in the same way. Adults who use sleeping pills all the time may also be teaching their young ones to medicate themselves needlessly. Children need to expect that every person has times when it is difficult to sleep and is a natural part of life. Each time a parent uses some type of drug or medication, he needs to ask himself what he is teaching in his home. Otherwise, he may need substance abuse help for someone other than himself.

Another harmful habit is smoking, especially in the child's presence. When parents smoke, they make cigarettes easily available for underage people, and statistics show that children who grow up in households where at least one parent smokes will have a much greater chance of developing the same habit when they grow up. Some adults take a cavalier attitude about drugs and medications, joking about them, making fun of getting drunk, and sparking other careless conversations with other adults and with underage people also. Teens listen to adults talk and learn from those conversations, but not always the lessons that adults want them to learn. Substance abuse prevention means always handling topics about drugs, drinking, smoking, and illegal activities in an appropriate and serious manner. This can be one of the most effective ways to provide substance abuse help. The tone of the conversation makes a big difference in what lesson is learned.

Each family develops its own set of values. If a family's values are not taught, the children will still pick up values on their own. It is important that family members talk about these issues before they become a problem. The Bible tells us to teach values in our household. Deuteronomy 6:7 says, "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Substance abuse prevention is a full-time job for a parent, a consistent teaching that gives young ones confidence to live above the need for "helps" to get by. An important part of this teaching is to show teens and even younger kids how to stand up to peer pressure so that they don't succumb to a moment of temptation that may ruin their lives. Substance abuse help is available, but how much more wonderful if a child survives through his growing up years without needing that assistance. But if a parent is going to show how to stand up to peer pressure, he must do the same. Many adults succumb to peer pressure just as much as their youngsters do, giving in to the temptation to drink too much if others are doing the same.

One way of helping a child who needs substance abuse help is to assist them in building their self esteem. Many people, younger and older, take drugs or other substances because they do not feel good about themselves. They use the medications to cover up feelings of inadequacy or hopelessness. The news media many times covers stories of people who do terrible things under the influence of something, but the real problem is not the illegal substances, but the damaged psyche inside. A strong parent discusses with his children how to handle strong feelings in ways that are appropriate and healthy. Each person will have times when he feels the need to reach for something to ease emotional pain, but this is not a good habit to develop. Instead, adults need to explain to teens how to handle these emotions by getting involved in helping services such as homeless shelters or visiting nursing home so that the focus is taken off themselves and put upon someone in need. In fact, adults can get involved with their young ones in charitable activities, sports, the arts, or other areas that interest the child. This is a great way to provide substance abuse prevention.

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