Home » Advice » Rights and responsibilities » Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse

  1. Drugs and your child: seeking help

    Teenager leaning against a wall

    Discovering that your child is taking drugs can leave you feeling worried, guilty and isolated.

    However, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone – many other parents will have found themselves in a similar position, and there’s lots of help available.

    Don’t blame yourself – there are lots of reasons why children become involved in drugs. This is not a sign that you’re a bad parent, and there is no reason why you should feel ashamed or try to hide the problem.

    Drugs services, counselling services and self-help groups offer support to your child at any stage, whether or not they are ready to change their behaviour. If you feel there is a problem then don’t delay in seeking help For more information visit the...

    Read more

  2. Divorce and separation: about violence and substance abuse

    “My ex hit me and I worry the same thing might happen to our children.” “My ex-partner takes drugs. How can I stop this?”

    If there has been any form of abuse, whether it has been violent, emotional, financial or you have had threats made towards you from your ex partner then this is completely unacceptable. Any parent experiencing such an horrendous time, can feel under immense pressure, fear and stress which can make you feel drained and unable to cope.  If you have any concerns, you can insist that contact is supervised and carried out under such conditions.  This could be through a specialised contact centre, social services or even through a trusted mutual friend or family member.  ...

    Read more

  3. Talking to preteens about alcohol

    Even young children are aware of alcohol and its effects. Parents can talk to younger children, answer their questions and introduce the topic without overwhelming their children with information and scare tactics.

    Tips and hints

    • Try to start earlier than the teen years by answering questions and introducing the subject as part of normal conversation so it doesn't build up to being a taboo subject by the time they reach their teens.
    • Parents find using prompts like soap story lines, adverts, TV programmes or magazine articles as a great way of getting conversations started.
    • If you are having a drink your child may want to try alcohol out of curiosity, to see if it has any affect on them or to feel grown up. This can be a good opportunity to talk...
    Read more

  4. Drugs: What Parents Need to Know

    Don’t wait until the teen years to learn about drug risks. Read our essential information, produced in association with FRANK: As a parent, it’s important to understand why your child may experiment with drugs and the risks and harms associated with the most commonly-used illegal substances. Understanding the facts about drugs will help you to communicate with your son or daughter to inform them of the risks, and help them to protect themselves from harm. It will also help you keep a cool head in a crisis. A supportive family relationship can make all the difference in preventing drug problems from developing.

    Talking about drugs:

    When you’re talking to your children about drugs, try to put your own feelings to one side. It’s natural to feel worried or angry, but losing...

    Read more