How to Handle Conversation With Your Substance Abusing Teen

The right way of dealing with your substance abusing teen is to have a conversation about his unhealthy habits. As a responsible parent, you should talk to your teen soon after confirming his unhealthy habits. Having a conversation will help you connect with your teen to know what made him take up this habit. A healthy conversation also gives a chance to express your concern, and to explain the consequences of these harmful habits. Most importantly, it helps you create a safe and supportive environment for the wellbeing of the teen.

This article offers you few tips on how to handle a good conversation with your substance abusing teen.

First confirm the substance abuse
Be sure about your teen's substance abusing habit before starting any kind of conversation. Also, confirming the fact in advance will provide you with proof when the teen tries to escape or fool you. You can opt for various home drug testing kits for accurate, quick and reliable results without affecting your teen's privacy.

Prepare yourself for the conversation
Talking aimlessly or attacking your teen directly is a bad way to start the conversation. A worthwhile conversation can be made only when there is enough preparation. Prepare yourself on how to start a conversation and how to proceed with it. Plan on what questions should be asked. Know how to deal when your teen gets violent or aggressive. Collect information on various ill effects of drugs. Above all, think about how to make your teen comfortable with the talk.

Show your concern
When your teen reveals about his behavior, don't be judgmental. Try to be honest about your feelings. Show them your worry and disappointment too. Talk about your expectations from him. Show your concern clearly by explaining how his substance abusing behavior would ruin his future and make sure that your concern does not come across as a nagging or cursing to your teen.

Try to be cool
Your teens may initially turn violent on being pointed out for his bad habits, but try to handle him. Let him understand the concerns of this behavior rather than blaming him for the behavior. Tell him that his behavior is unacceptable, but in a polite way. Don't alienate your teen by showing your grudge on him for his behavior. Remember that it is a conversation and not an argument, so try to stay cool.

Listen to your kid – be attentive
Give your teen enough time to talk. Remember, most of the times a substance abusing teen is a troubled teen. Check why drugs became an answer for his problems and be attentive while he is answering. Respect your teen’s feelings of anger, stress, fear, pressure, etc. Give him space to express his feelings in a way he is comfortable with and listen carefully to figure out how he got habituated to drugs. Your concern for him is also revealed when you are attentive to him while he is speaking.

Extend support
Don't just highlight the negative consequences of his behavior. Give him the confidence that he can overcome this habit. Try to make him involve in extracurricular activities and family gatherings to divert his mind from drugs. Be a positive role model and help them in solving problems, enjoying free time and managing stress without using drugs. Extend your moral support to help him lead a healthy lifestyle.

When you are conversing with your teen, don't try to give lectures, as they don't work. Try to maintain conversations regularly with your teen to stay connected with his life, friends and studies. When your teen is convinced that you are making honest effort in making his life positive, then there are higher chances of getting favorable results.

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