Talk With Your Teen

Before anyone ever takes a puff, or a hit, or a drink, there is a decision made – a healthy decision or an unhealthy one. Trusting your teen to make a healthy choice may sometimes be a difficult expectation for them to successfully meet.

Sometimes making a healthy choice is hard for your teens because they are tired, stressed, angry, pressured or infatuated with another person or idea. However, nothing is more important than their health and safety.

Although most schools offer information about the dangers of smoking, vaping, drinking or taking illegal drugs, there is no substitution for talking to your teen. Talking to an adult about these issues may often help teens know what to do or say when pressured into making responsible decisions regarding their safety. It’s also a chance to share your family’s values, as well as your own expectations.

Below are some resources to help you gain insight regarding your teen and dangerous and/or addicting substances that may put their health in jeopardy. It's important to remember to reinforce this information with healthy and open conversations between you and your teen regarding these substances.

• Preteens - About Alcohol, Tobacco and Marijuana
• Teens - Alcohol
• Teens - Drugs
• Teens - Smoking

Reviewed by: Elizabeth W. Lee, M.D.

Last Reviewed: October 2019