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If you’ve just discovered or have reason to believe your child is using substances, the first thing to do is take a deep breath. We know this can be scary, but you’re in the right place.
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In the next episode of our YouTube video series, Cesar Bravo Wolfe, Helpline Supervisor at Partnership to End Addiction, responds to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from parents and other family members as they look to better communicate, create boundaries, and encourage behavior change, such as:
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- What should I do if I have found substances in my child’s room?
- What are some signs that my child might be using substances?
- How do I talk to my child about substance use?
- What resources are available to help?
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Discovering that your child is using substances can stir up many emotions. The best way to find out what’s going on, and to begin helping, is to start talking. Understanding why your child may be interested in alcohol and/or other drugs can be a good step forward in figuring out ways to address it. And remember, you have a great deal of influence that can make a difference in your child’s well-being.
You can watch this episode and previous episodes here on drugfree.org. This yearlong video series will feature a variety of topics, voices and stories all year long.
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For resources on how you can address early substance use with your child, check out the links below:
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- WEB: My child tried drugs. What should I do? — Some brief preparation now can lay a foundation for more positive outcomes ahead, and we’ve put together some recommendations on how to get off on the right foot.
- TOOL: Substance Use Risk Assessment — Use our risk assessment tool to see what factors may lead to more problems with substance use and actions you can take to reduce the risk of addiction.
- PDF: Marijuana Talk Kit — Marijuana is being legalized for recreational use in many places across the country. We created this toolkit to help navigate this changing landscape and create an open dialogue with your child.
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