SAFE Choices: Resources For Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers of Youth

It’s never too early to start the conversation. Discussions about alcohol and other drugs are ongoing conversations that can begin as early as preschool years and continue throughout the teen and young adulthood years. As youth grow, your conversations may change, but they always will be centered on keeping them happy, healthy, and safe. Talk early, talk often, and take advantage of teachable moments. As a parent, guardian, and caretaker, you are a role model for your kids: your views can strongly affect how they think and choices they make.

• Talking to Young Children about a Loved One’s Substance Use
• Preparing to Talk to a Young Child
• Preparing to Talk to a Teen
• How to Talk and Listen to Your Teen
• Booksmart: Spark a Conversation With Teens
• NaturalHigh.org: How Helping Kids Find Their Natural High Leads to Healthy Choices
• NaturalHigh.org: Help Kids Find Their Tribe
• SAMHSA: “Talk, They Hear You”
• DrugFree.org: LGBTQ+ Youth and Family
• DrugFree.org: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Resilient Kids
• Partners in Prevention: Pride Toolkit (to download the toolkit, visit the website, click on the “download the toolkit” link, add your contact information, and you will receive the toolkit in seconds)

• The Science of Addiction
• Addiction and the Brain

Did you know that the human brain is still developing until about age 25? Have you ever asked your child “what were you thinking” and they say “I don’t know”? Chances are they weren’t lying. Teens are more likely to take risks and have impulsive behaviors because essential parts of the teenage brain are still forming, affecting the ability to make logical decisions. Developing brains are more prone to damage. As a result, teens become addicted more quickly with greater consequences (9 out of 10 people with substance problems started using by age 18; Center on Addiction, 2018). Every year substance use is delayed during adolescent brain development, the risk of addiction and substance abuse decreases 4 to 5 percent (SAMHSA, 2015). Youth who begin using addictive substances (tobacco, alcohol, illegal, over-the-counter or prescription drugs) before age 15 are nearly seven times more likely to develop a substance problem, compared with those who delay first use until age 21 or older (Center on Addiction, 2018). As a parent, guardian, and caretaker, you are a role model for your kids. Your views can strongly affect how they think and choices they make. Talk Early and talk often.

If they don’t get the facts from you, they will get their information from another source. Children today are exposed to tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs at increasingly younger ages. The media is filled with images that promote smoking and drinking as “cool,” fun, and a natural part of life. That’s why, more than ever, parents need to talk to their kids about the risks of drugs and help them separate fact from fiction. Research shows that children who hear the facts about drugs and alcohol from their parents are significantly less likely to use them. As a parent, guardian, and caretaker, you are a role model for your kids. Your views AND accurate facts on the topic can strongly affect how they think and choices they make.

• Lesson Learned: What is Cannabis Use Disorder?
• Addiction, Mental Health, and Related Resources for Families
• The Science of Addiction
• E-Cigarettes and Vaping: What You Need to Know
• Listen Up: Podcasts on Addiction, Treatment, & Recovery
• What is Naloxone?
• What to Do if You Witness an Overdose
• SAFE Solutions

SAFE Project is happy to share this section on lessons learned that highlights pertinent information on youth substance use prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery.

• Talking to Young Children about a Loved One’s Substance Use
• Lesson Learned: Does My Child or Teen Need Mental Health Support?
• What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
• Lesson Learned: When They Are Young
• Booksmart: How Did We Get Here?
• Is Your Campus Recovery Ready?
• Why You Need to Ask if Your Kid’s College Has a Recovery Program (Even If They Don’t Use Drugs)
• When Things Get Rough
• Building a Crisis Plan For Your Minor or Adult Child

What do you do if you suspect substance misuse? When it comes to the safety and well being of your child, you can never be too safe or intervene too early. Talk to your child as soon as your instinct tells you something is wrong or you notice signs of possible substance use. Express your concern and willingness to help. Seek the support of a professional, a family doctor, or addiction specialist who can screen for signs of drug misuse and other related health conditions. Many school districts also have student assistance teams that consist of trained professionals who are able to offer intervention support. A tough as it may be, showing unconditional steadfast love and genuine compassion will serve well in this fragile scenario.

For all medical emergencies: Call 911

• SAFE Treatment and Family Support Locator
• Building Blocks: Create a Crisis Plan For Your Minor or Adult Child
• What is a Relapse/Recurrence? Hint: It’s Not A Failure
• The Truth about Harm Reduction
• At the First Signs of Substance Abuse
• When Things Get Rough
• How to Support Your Child’s Transition Out of Treatment
• How to Support Your Friend’s Transition Out of Treatment
• Everyday Etiquette For Recovery Allies
• Responding to Stigma
• How We Respond to Stigma
• What Is Person-First Language?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Explained
• What to Ask About in Recovery Housing
• Benzodiazepines and Opioids: A Threat to Your Safety
• Listen Up: Podcasts on Addiction, Treatment, & Recovery
• Building Blocks: Create a Crisis Plan for Your Minor or Adult Child
• What to Do if You Witness an Overdose
• When Your Loved One is in Treatment
• Have a Safety Plan

The following are powerful stories of hope shared from the heart of individuals impacted by the disease of addiction. These are stories about transformations and new beginnings, stories about real people who work every day for restoration, and who are committed to stopping the cycle of addiction one step at a time. To the families and individuals who chose to share, we at SAFE Project offer our genuine appreciation to you for the choice you made to speak out from your heart in an effort to help others. If you or someone you know has been impacted by addiction and have a story you would like to share, please reach out to: stories@safeproject.us

• Marlene’s Story: The Welcome Sign
• Liz’s Story: Families & Long-Term Recovery
• A Daughter’s Story: The Stigma of Mental Health
• Amy’s Story: Families Recover, Too
• A Recovery Story with Brandee & Britnee

The internet is packed with sites and information on the topic of substance use prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. To assist you in being confident you are accessing reliable sources, this list is being provided as a means to assist you in your research (note: this is not meant to be a comprehensive listing).