Introduction
Parental divorce my have a great impact on a child’s risk for drug and substance abuse. It can be presumed that teenagers with divorced parents are 50% more likely to drink alcohol and abuse other drugs than those with married parents. The article is on teen alcohol and drug abuse overview. The paper will give the association between divorce and substance abuse and how parents can help their children reduce this risk.
Discussion
Association between divorce and drug abuse in teens
Teens with divorced parents lack the presence of both parents I their lives and tend to associate themselves with peers and certain groups. Due to the need for identity and the need to be associated with a certain peer group, they involve themselves in drug and substance abuse. The other point is that teens from divorced parents need to feel complete and happy. Most of them resort to abusing drugs believing that the drugs will make them feel happy and complete. Most of them drink alcohol and take other drugs because they like the way these substances make them feel.
What parents can do to help reduce the risk
Parents should talk openly to their teens about the dangerous effects of drug and substance abuse. They should try as much as they can not to use harsh and judging words. Most importantly they should show care and support for their teens and make them feel loved. The other point is for parents to ask for help from a psychiatrist or psychologists in cases when they do not know what to do. All these actions will help reduce the risks of teen children involving themselves in drug and substance abuse.
Reference
Retrieved from http://health.msn.com/health-topics/addiction/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100077551 on 27th November, 2010.
