There are plenty of hard topics that a parent will eventually need to talk to discuss with their children. This can include death, divorce, the birds and bees, mental health, and even addiction. While these hard topics are sometimes addressed in children's shows and movies, and even at school amongst the teacher and your kid’s friends. These are topics that are best to be explained in thorough detail by the parents as this is a duty as a parent.

 One of the more difficult topics is going to be addictions and substance abuse. You can’t shelter your child from it, and they’ll eventually come across a situation that consists of drugs and alcohol. As a parent, you have to talk to them about this so they can be educated on the dangers and how fast one can slip into this.

No sane parent wants to think of their children becoming an addict in the future. It’s something that many parents will try to make sure can be entirely avoided. Many leading experts say that modeling a sober lifestyle is more than enough to promote a sober lifestyle for your children. But is this enough? Addictions are something that’s easy to form and it’s also important to understand that addictions stem much further than just alcohol and substances.

Currently, there are plenty of addictions that are considered fine because there is this mentality of “as long as it’s not drugs or alcohol” that any other addiction is immediately fine and socially acceptable. While it’s very unfortunate that there are plenty of socially acceptable addictions, it’s still very important to talk to your children about addictions so they can hopefully lead down the path of a healthy and sober lifestyle. Here are some tips for parents to help prevent their children from becoming addicts.

Understand there are many addictions

The three addictions that are harmful and are socially unacceptable include alcohol, substance, and gambling. Nicotine could be considered one as well, while it’s not entirely socially acceptable, it’s not entirely rejected either. Talk with your child about the many forms of addictions and how it stems further than just drugs or alcohol.

Addictions can come in many forms such as eating, phone use, video games, caffeine, work, exercise, and so much more. Even things that are considered healthy such as exercise can prove to be dangerous. It’s also important to discuss solutions such as rehab and IOP with your children. Let them know there are different types of addiction but each addiction can end and that each one has a solution.

Let them know that there are limits to parenting

Sure, you can be there to prepare for your child’s sleepovers, help them with homework, monitor their internet activity, and even watch them go across the stage when they graduate but know you don’t have control over your child.  You as a parent are very limited on what you can do. You have to understand this, and your children need to understand this as well.

Teach them the difference between use and abuse

It’s also important to understand that not everything is dangerous. Sure, people who drink tend to do it to get drunk (not always). Just because some people drink alcohol doesn’t immediately mean that they’re an alcoholic. Some people enjoy having a sip or two here and there in moderation. Just like those who use prescription medication doesn’t immediately mean that they’re abusing drugs. This is sometimes something that is mistaught in school and is not mentioned in children’s media either.

Let them know that there are reasons why people make certain choices

It’s not a fun topic to bring up in a difficult conversation such as this, but it’s also important to let your child understand why these things may happen. Having an understanding is going to help them not get into this behaviour, but it will also allow them to be more compassionate to those who are facing these difficulties. Many drug addicts who use prescription pills use them to get high are those who were originally prescribed to them by a doctor for chronic pain.

  It’s also important to understand that addictions happen for a reason. Not many people wake up and decide that they’re going to just become an addict. There are usually a series of events that lead up to it all happening.  Nobody intentionally plans to give up their happiness for an addiction. It’s just something that gradually takes over.  No matter how good of a parent you are, you can only do so much and the rest is up to your child.

Let your child that their choices are solely up to them

If there is ever a chance that your child becomes an addict, just know that it isn’t your fault.  When they’re a kid, you can do a lot, but once they’re an adult, it’s really up to them to make a decision. It’s normal to be worried about the possibilities of what can happen to your child, but it doesn’t mean you should try and control them. Instead, just control yourself. Look for ways to get these fears out of your head. Look into doing hobbies or even group activities. It helps a lot to have a sober and healthy lifestyle, and children will often try to emulate what their parents are doing.