Set aside time to talk with your pre-teens and teenagers about the science behind using drugs and alcohol. Open, honest conversations can help teens grasp the risks and make informed choices. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to substance use because their developing brains make them more prone to impulsivity and risk-taking. They often chase the dopamine rush — the brain’s feel-good chemical — without fully considering the consequences.
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week invites parents and other caregivers to open a conversation with their adolescents about how drugs and alcohol affect the brain and body. Providing teens with the facts can help them understand the risks and empower them to make healthier decisions.
“Raising awareness about substance abuse can help prevent addiction, create a supportive environment, and improve mental health,” NewBridge Services CEO Michelle Borden said. NewBridge provides outpatient addiction treatment for both adults and adolescents, offering evidence-based practices that help clients alter harmful behaviors and work toward recovery.
“Communication is key and a protective factor between parents and children,” said Derk Replogle, NewBridge’s Director of Addiction Services. “Showing interest, being involved, and speaking to your children about substances — along with other risks like gaming and gambling—are very important first steps.”
Warning Signs
Here are signs your teen may be experimenting with drugs and alcohol:
- Sudden changes in behavior or personality
- A decline in academic performance or loss of interest in school
- New or unexplained relationships with peers who engage in risky behaviors
- Withdrawal from family activities or isolation from close friends
- Mood swings, irritability, or depression
While the use of substance use by teens using remains concerning, there are signs of progress. The federally funded 2024 Monitoring the Future Survey showed, for example, that alcohol use declined among 10th and 12th graders, nicotine vaping decreased among 10th graders, and cannabis use dropped among 12th graders. More than two-thirds of high school seniors, 80% of 10th graders, and almost 90% of eighth graders reported abstaining from marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine in the prior month and past 30 days.
Raising awareness about the science behind drug use and addiction can delay the age of first use and lower the chances of developing substance use disorder. Use this week to initiate a dialogue with your teens and reinforce the importance of making choices that support their long-term well-being. Teens can test their knowledge about drugs, alcohol, and drug use by taking the interactive National Drug and Alcohol IQ Challenge quiz.
