Can Communication Prevent Drug Addiction and Abuse?

                                                                                         

Just about everyone who takes drugs has a reason for doing so. It's not just a casual activity where they happened to be introduced to drugs, tried them out and got hooked - although that does happen. To get hooked, there's usually some problem going on in their lives that they don't know how to resolve. They may not even recognize or be able to tell anyone else exactly what is bothering them - sometimes all they know is that drugs make them 'feel better.’ But the problem is there nevertheless, and resolving drug problems is dependent on finding out what those underlying life problems are.

Unfortunately, this often falls to the parents. Parents can tear their hair out trying to understand their kids. Call it a generation gap if you will but, really, the problem is communication. Here are a few communication do’s and don’t’s that will help.

- Don’t get angry with your kids when they tell you something they’ve done. This might be hard to do, but if you want your kids to feel free to talk with you about problems and be able to unburden themselves instead of letting it all build up inside, it’s important. They don’t want to make you upset or angry – it’s uncomfortable for you, and them. And the anger alone could be reason enough for some kids to not come forward when they should.

- Don’t make less of their problems. Just because you don’t think their problem is serious doesn’t mean it’s not serious to them. If you just brush their problems off, your kids are not likely to try talking to you again.

- Do find time for them. It’s difficult these days when so many families are forced to have both parents working long hours to make ends meet, but once your kids fall off the radar, it can be near impossible to get them back on. They’ve gone on with their lives without you, and you are no longer a big part of it. Stay connected with quality time, participation, meals, and so on.

- Do try to appreciate their tastes, their friends, and their opinions. Don’t stick in the past - things change, and it’s natural that your kids won’t be just like you. If you are sincerely interested in how they feel and what they think, you’ll also find them more open to your viewpoints and tastes as well. Enjoy it!

These guidelines aren’t a guarantee that your kid will not get caught up in drug addiction or some other kind of trouble. But without good communication, there’s very little chance you’ll help prevent it, and almost no chance of even being able to get them to agree to drug treatment if they need it.

About the author:
Gloria MacTaggart is a freelance writer that contributes articles on health.

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