The best defence against substance abuse is a healthy and loving family. As parents, there are a number of things you can do to promote a healthy, drug free family life. This may be the biggest factor in your child making the right decisions about addictive substances:

Build a positive, open relationship with your children

Take time to talk and listen to your children. Show interest and involvement in their activities. Building a high level of trust and two-way communication will prevent many problems in the teenage and young adult years.

Model Positive Relationships

Make sure your child sees you and your spouse showing love, respect and honour to one another every day. This nurtures stability and security. If you’re a single parent, separated or divorced, it’s crucial that you let your child know that you love them unconditionally and that your single parenthood or marital problems are not their fault. Foster positive relationships between siblings so they can rely on one another as they grow up.

Set Moral Standards

Resolve to set clear standards for right and wrong and consistently apply those standards in your home. Basing your standards on Biblical principles is a time-tested way to raise healthy families. Always set God and His clear standards on all aspects of life (ethics, morals, sexual activities, negative behaviours including trying and using drugs and alcohol, etc.) as your family’s guiding principles.

Build a God-Centred home

Going to church every week, having all family members involved in church activities, and praying as a family are safeguards that help your children make healthy choices about drugs and alcohol.

Pray for your Family

Ultimately, there is only so much you can do for your family members. You cannot keep them from making poor choices. However, you can pray for them. Pray that God will protect them, guide them and direct their paths. At Teen Challenge, we believe in a God that is greater than the powers of this world, greater than drugs and alcohol, greater than addiction. We believe that if we come to Him, he will hear our prayers and work to heal our families. Start praying for your family today!

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