Family / Caregivers

Resources for loving someone with a Substance Use Disorder

• What is a Family Recovery Program?
• Family Support
• Resources for Moms in Recovery
• Smart Recovery, Life Beyond Addiction
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health, “Talk. They Hear You“
• Talking About Cannabis: A Parent Toolkit
• Stats & Trends in Teen Drug Use with Interactive Chart
  Monitoring the Future: Annual Survey of Teen Drug Use. Each year, NIDA-funded researchers at the University of Michigan survey students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades on their behaviors and attitudes about substance use. The survey results are released the same year the data are collected.

Marijuana Prevention Tips

Have an Open and Honest Discussion

• Know where you stand on this issue.
• Listen, pay attention, and try not to interrupt or respond in anger.
• Offer facts about harm, addiction, mental health, risks, and consequences of use.
• Become knowledgeable in the subject.
• It’s still illegal for under 21 years of age.

Common Signs

• Increased irritability
• Losing interest and motivation to do usual activities
• Memory difficulty
• Carrying vape pens, pipes, lighters
• Acting silly that is considered “out of character” for no apparent reason
• Coming home with red eyes
• Spending time with friends who use marijuana
• Change or increase in appetite
• Stealing money or unaccounted money

Words / Slang

“Sparking up”, “420”, “Shatter”, “Weed”, “Grass”, “Spliffs”, “Pot” and “Dabbing”

Synthetic marijuana-like drugs are K2 and Spice

SAMHSA National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357) and samhsa.gov

Parent Guide for Drug Prevention 2021

Parenting can be the greatest job on earth—and the toughest. You want your children to be healthy, but you worry about what they will do when faced with the decision to try drugs or alcohol.

This guide offers information that can help you raise children who understand the risks of substance use. You may read it from front to back like a book, or pick a topic from the Table of Contents and go directly to that page. This guide includes:

• An overview of substance use among children, youth, and young adults;
• Descriptions of some substances young people may use;
• A look at risk factors that may make children, youth, and young adults try alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, and protective factors that help offset those risks;
• Suggestions for how to talk to young people about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, tailored to their age group; and
• Tips on what to do if you suspect your child is using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

Please note that “substances” or “drugs” in this guide refer to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs collectively.