Talking to Kids About Drugs: What To Say if You Were Once Addicted
If you abused drugs at some time in your life, it might feel hard to tell others, especially your kids, not to do drugs. Everyone handles this problem differently.
If you choose to tell your kids about your drug past:
- Don't give a lot of details about your past drug abuse.
- Point out the problems your drug abuse might have caused. For instance, are there things you don't remember because you were on drugs? Did you fight with friends or family because of drugs? Did drug abuse keep you from saving money, getting better grades, or a better job?
- Explain why you wouldn't abuse drugs now.
- Say that you want your kids to avoid making the same mistakes you made.
- Be open to responses that your kids may have to your past drug abuse.
Parents who used to take drugs often don't talk with their kids about drugs at all. They're afraid the kids will copy what they did. But research shows that:
- When parents tell their kids they don't want them to do drugs, the kids are less likely to do drugs.
- Kids want their parents' advice about drugs.
"What if she finds out the truth?"
Debbie has been drug-free for years. She wants her daughter to stay away from drugs. But she's afraid to talk to her daughter about her past. (Photo information)