Substance Abuse Prevention-How do you, as a loving parent, support your well-raised child so that they don’t turn there?

This awareness message is brought to you in partnership with Empower Tusc.

As a parent, you know your child best.

You are your child’s biggest advocate.

There are resources for parents and caregivers to use for all different aspects of substance use, from wanting to prevent your adolescent or young adult child from substance abuse to helping them sustain recovery after treatment.

Prevention

Substance abuse use disorders are best addressed with a full continuum of care, starting with wellness and prevention. Parents and caregivers play a monumental role in their child’s life and their use of substances. Parents are encouraged to maintain open communication and involvement with their children from an early age, so doors are open when serious conversations are necessary. There are effective methods that support preventative behavior and attitudes.

Intervention

If you believe that your adolescent is using drugs or drinking alcohol, trust your gut and address it immediately. The earlier a child receives support in reducing or stopping substance misuse, the better their chances will be to overcome the issue. There are a number of research-derived, effective and practical interventions that can reduce not only the rates of addiction but also the more prevalent rates of substance use-related consequences such as car accidents and school drop-out. Today, social media is so prevalent that one night of intoxication can be captured and posted on the internet where it could reflect negatively on your child long into the future, diminishing opportunities for highly competitive scholarships, internships, and employment at prestigious companies. View Resources

Treatment

Depending on your adolescent or young adult’s alcohol or drug use level, there are different types of treatment that may be effective. While this section does not include referrals to specific types of treatments or treatment providers, it does include the information you need to understand what to look for in quality treatment, and to make informed decisions about the best options for your child. The resources provided in this section will help you learn about what addiction treatment is, locate a treatment provider and programs and review types of evidence-based practices for treating substance use disorders. View Resources

Recovery

“Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness that may involve setbacks. Because setbacks are a natural part of life, resilience becomes a key component of recovery.” Many parents feel ill-prepared when their child has completed inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment. There are resources available so you can help to support your adolescent’s recovery during the days, months, and years after treatment. View Resources

 

This substance abuse awareness campaign is brought to you in partnership with Empower Tusc.