Substances and addiction

Navigating growing up, peer pressure and independence, teenagers and young adults often first encounter substances during pivotal formative years. As educators, carers and role models, our goal involves thoughtful dialogue and unbiased facts to dispel myths around social drinking, vaping, even illegal drug misuse that’s increasingly normalised through media and social circles.

Of course, we must approach lessons with compassion, not condemnation for typical youth testing boundaries. However, informed choices rely on transparent truths – all substances, even cannabis, inflict risks from addiction to permanent developmental damage. Combining multiple substances compounds dangers. Beyond health, usage jeopardises social lives, extracurricular opportunities and career paths.

Our teaching resources aim not to lecture but instead encourage self-discovery of students’ motivations and personal substance use philosophy to empower wise choices that align actions to aspirations.

How to spot abuse

It can be very difficult to identify when someone has an addiction and where the line between casual and abuse is. We have created advice and information on drugs and alcohol and the signs and symptoms to spotting abuse early and what actions can be taken.

You can download our ‘How to spot abuse’ guide here.

What can you do to help?

As role models, our actions speak volumes in shaping youth perspectives on substance use. Beyond one-off talks, candid day-to-day dialogue around risks and responsible consumption helps teens forge internal compasses to guide choices. Rather than lecturing, we must listen openly and share personal stories illustrating how substances may promise confidence, but in reality undermine wellbeing and self-esteem when used irresponsibly.

Together, identify healthy coping alternatives like sports, music, or befriending positive peers. Help teens pinpoint motivations behind curiosity; peer pressure, boredom and media portrayals all impact perspectives. Research substance laws and explain how underage or public use endangers opportunities from academic, career to travel aspirations. For those potentially self-medicating deeper issues with alcohol or drugs, compassionately connect them to counselors.

While occasional underage drinking remains somewhat inevitable, the lifesaving difference comes through education. Equipping youth to calculate calories, alternate alcoholic drinks with water, stay with trusted friends and never enable a peer’s dangerous use all stem from ongoing transparent dialogue. More than one-off talks, intentionally revisiting conversations around new encounter decisions, goal balancing and self-care alternatives allows wisdom to accumulate as values evolve with teen growth into adulthood. Our steadfast support through inevitable bumps illuminates the path home so we had put together some pointers to help.

Normalise ongoing conversations

Rather than one lengthy, intimidating “drugs are bad” lecture, studies show ongoing bitesize dialogues more effectively boost teen substance literacy. Weave chatter about risks, motivations and responsible use into everyday talk – not just when directly faced with temptation situations.

Avoid boredom

It is not possible to always occupy young people in order to avoid abuse but showing them alternative activities that could become a hobby or passion will help them options to drugs and alcohol. We have come up with activities, outings and events children and teenagers can do to be healthy, active, cultured and educated in the process. You can see our wellbeing calendar here

Be a responsible role model

Even before children reach the pivotal teen years , their foundational outlooks on alcohol form by observing our everyday role modeling.

To positively impact young people’s lives, a role model must live their life they want a child or teenager to live. They therefore need to interact in activities they try to promote and come up with inventive ways to grasps a young person’s attention. Along with having a physical role model, finding famous role models are very important also as they have a huge influence on a young person’s attitude and personality. Whether it’s a athlete, movie star, musician, business person, find the great attributes of the role model and promote them to your child or teenager.

Keep your cool

Try to stay calm. It can be upsetting to find out your child is taking drugs, but getting angry and shouting may stop them from speaking to you in the future.

Talking to them calmly and when you’re both relaxed will encourage them to be open about their actions and stop them from becoming secretive.

Who to contact

It can be tricky to tackle teenage problems all on your own and it can help to have other people to speak to. You can find all kinds of useful helplines and charities here if you have more questions.

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Case Studies

With our free resources, you can view case studies around important subject matters that leads us to be more informed and have better conversation. Our case studies are aimed to educate with relevant information along with links to further learning.