Today is a Great Day to Start a Conversation About Drugs & Health

 

Summer break offers some well-deserved down time but as most parents and caregivers know, the job of parenting never really takes a day off because our kids' health and safety is always top priority.

With that in mind, InnerAct Alliance and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) encourage parents to take opportunities over the summer to have important conversations with teens about their health using simple facts and evidence-based information. NIDA has compiled a list of answers to teens' 10 most frequently asked questions about drugs to use as conversation starters and inspire communication with your children. 

Kids can be curious about why some people use drugs - best way to answer is to explain we all make choices that affect our health. Some people turn to drugs because they think substances may help them deal with challenges, escape from reality, relieve pain, or fit in with others. Even when users want to quit, they may still struggle to stop using alcohol and other drugs. This is because repeated use causes changes in the brain that can make it hard to stop.

Addictive drugs cause the brain to release dopamine, a chemical released after pleasure and satisfying activities. Repeated drug use flood the brain with dopamine and can change how the brain responds - resulting in the need for more drugs to produce the same pleasurable effect. Without more drugs, people may experience withdrawal symptoms causing stress, anxiety, depression, or physical effects like sweating, vomiting, and pain. This dangerous cycle of drug use and withdrawal can disrupt normal brain function to the point where people aren't able to experience pleasure in their lives and more drugs are needed.

Remind teens that the best way to avoid substance use disorder is not to start. Share good news that most Polk County teens are making the right choices by choosing not to drink, smoke, or use substances - 84% of Polk Teens DO NOT use Alcohol - 87% DO NOT use Marijuana - 96% DO NOT use Traditional Tobacco – 88% DO NOT Vape or use E-Cigarettes. Knowing the truth can help kids avoid succumbing to peer pressure because they feel confident in making more informed personal decisions after knowing and considering all the facts. 

For more answers to questions teens have about substance use, visit:
 https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/education/conversation-starters/10-questions-teens-ask-about-drugs-and-health