School Stress Drugs And Alcohol

Back To School: More Stressful Than Parents Think

August can be a stressful time for teens and tweens, as they prepare to face another school year - and with it, new social and academic pressures.

The "Partnership for a Drug-Free America" recently released a survey showing that...

the number one reason for teenage drug and alcohol abuse is to deal with school-related pressures.

Of the 6,500 teens surveyed, 73 percent said that "coping with school stress" is a main reason why they turn to drugs.

In an accompanying study of parents, just 7 percent of parents thought teens might use drugs to deal with stress.

"There's a real disconnect between what teens are thinking and feeling and what parents believe about their teens when it comes to attitudes about drug use," said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership.

Teens Use Drugs And Alcohol To Cope With Tough Classes

Many parents know that their kids face pressures unheard of when they were teens, along with schedules as demanding as most adults. But they may be surprised that instead of blowing off steam by playing soccer, gossiping at the mall or playing video games, some teens see drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with tough classes.

As parents make their to-do lists for back to school, far more important than buying new clothes and notebooks is taking time to talk, having what may be a sensitive or even uncomfortable discussion with your child about handling stress in a healthy way, and letting them know you care about them too much to see them in danger. Your kid may roll his eyes, but he'll hear you.

Frequent discussions with kids about the risks of drugs and alcohol go a long way. Research shows that kids who learn a lot about these risks from a parent or other caring adult are up to 50 percent less likely to use.

Try Text Messaging Your Teen

If starting the conversation feels like a big production, or if your child isn't especially talkative, try breaking the ice with a text message. It's how teens talk to each other, and most parents find that even if their teens won't take their calls, they'll respond to a text message.

Back to school is an important transition time, but it's not enough to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol once a year. How many times have you told them not to drink milk out of the carton or leave laundry on the floor?

Keep the conversation going all year. Remind your kids that no matter what name they called you at dinner last night, you love and support them.

Teens Under the Influence

Teens Under the Influence gives parents important facts and practical advice about adolescent alcohol and other drug use.

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