Drugs And Alcohol

Alcohol and drug addiction can destroy families and severely impact relationships.

When it is the case of a parent with the addiction, children can suffer and this can affect their emotional and physical well-being. Parents may fail to provide for their children’s basic needs while they struggle with their addiction. Relationships between parents can diminish as they are more likely to have accumulated money problems due to their addiction, causing stress and emotional turmoil. 

Domestic violence is another a common consequence of a parent’s addiction that can have a devastating impact on a family unit. 

As a parent, it is natural to be concerned about the effects of Drugs and Alcohol on your child during their teenage years. Research has shown that young people are experimenting with alcohol and drugs at an earlier age than ever before. 

Thankfully, there are many things that parents can do to prepare their child for engaging with these substances:

1. Education

Educate yourself on the facts about alcohol, drugs and young people. This will enable you to talk to your child in a real and engaging way rather than just issuing stark warnings.

2. Role models

Parents should be positive role models for children when it comes to alcohol consumption. They will take their social cues from you. 

3. Communication

It’s vital to have a close and positive relationship with your child. Spend time with them, take part in hobbies they enjoy and keep the lines of communication open. The more comfortable they are talking to you, the more likely they will be to ask for advice if or when they are in trouble.

4. Be vigilant

No matter how many chats you have about drugs and alcohol, your child may still decide to try them. Observe their behaviour and keep an eye on any new habits like asking for extra money, dropping hobbies, hanging out with a bad crowd or experiencing problems at school.

These could be red flags that something is amiss with your child and they may be abusing drugs or alcohol.

5. Suggest alternatives

There are so many good examples of clean and healthy living accounts on Instagram, chances are it shouldn’t be too hard to find one that your child will engage in and enjoy. Encourage them to be more active, to do things that promote good health like exercising, getting outside, listening or playing music, taking part in book groups, drama societies or musical endeavours.

6. Get help

If you are worried that your partner or child might be abusing alcohol or drugs, you can contact the relevant services for support for the individual.  Family therapy or personal counselling may also be useful for family members affected by the addiction.

You can read how we presented information about drugs, alcohol and smoking to children and young people through our Childline.ie site here

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