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Your teen and drugs/alcohol
It is not uncommon for teenagers to try drugs or drink alcohol in their teenage years. For some they may experiment and make the positive choice not to participate but, there are also those who become dependent on drugs or alcohol. Parenting a teenager who is addicted to drugs or is alcohol dependent can be devastating and you may feel like everything you say is falling on deaf ears. Our section on drugs and alcohol has articles about spotting the signs and having the conversations to help your child stay healthy and safe.
On average, UK children have their first whole alcoholic drink at just aged 13, and this is overwhelmingly in a family setting, as it should be, there...
As a parent, it’s a good idea to fully understand the facts about drugs. It can often help to sit down and talk to your teen about dr...
Don't wait until the teen years to learn about drug risks. Read our essential information, produced in association with FRANK.
When your teen asks to have friends to sleep over – maybe after a party – or asks to sleep over at a friend’s with a group of other ...
Three brave parents speak about the traumatic experiences they have dealt with since their children started taking drugs.
I've discovered that my child is smoking cannabis - what are the risks associated with this drug?
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Br...
How we can help you
If you would like support and advice, you can talk to one of our Family Support Workers by calling our confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222. You can also share experiences and advice with other parents on our Forums. Family Lives is here for you and you can contact us about any family issue, big or small.
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