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Parent or Caregiver

Parents want what's best for their kids. But under pressure, many of us get a little too involved and "overparent," sending the wrong message to our teens.
Abusing prescription stimulants, or "study drugs," actually does not improve teens' GPA, can be very harmful to their health, and doesn't teach grit or resilience.
School stress can lead to teen drug use, but many parents with good intentions overlook the possibility. Learn the effects of stress and how to help your kid cope.
Opioids (prescription painkillers and heroin) pose a high risk of overdose, for both those in active use and in recovery.
Besides parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and older can help influence young adults, too -- especially if they're struggling with drugs.
The opioid crisis has unfortunately caused unethical people to prey upon families' fears. Parents need to be aware of scams when searching for treatment for their child.
One way to treat opioid addiction is Naltrexone (Vivitrol), a type of medication-assisted treatment, an injection given by a medical provider once a month.
We can use words like "addict" that perpetuate the negative stigma around substance use. Or we can use words that are compassionate, supportive and respectful.
It can be difficult to persuade a loved one to consider treatment. Even when they are willing to consider it, it’s not uncommon for them to still feel unsure or say no. If your loved one expresses even a little willingness to start getting help — whether it’s attending a support group meeting, or getting a treatment consultation — it can be all the invitation you need to begin the conversation.
Families are still fighting to receive the mental health and substance use insurance benefits they are due. Tell Congress to strengthen Parity Act enforcement tools.
Deaths from overdoses reached a staggering 100,300 in the 12-month period ending in April 2021. This represents nearly a 30% increase compared to the previous time period; largely driven by fentanyl. If your son or daughter has an opioid addiction, here are five things to know to keep your child safe.
Just talking to your child is only half the job. You can keep the lines of communication open by knowing how to listen and when to talk.
There isn’t one script for talking about marijuana, but here's what you’re likely to hear — and a few suggestions for how to respond.
Your child's drug use has likely caused overwhelming stress, fear and even anger. Taking care of yourself is essential to taking care of your loved ones.
Learn about teen prescription drug abuse through the eyes of a teen filmmaker who set out to capture the issue as it exists in his world.
There’s a reason teens behave the way they do. Understand how your teen’s brain is developing and why this is so important to preventing drug use.
Straightforward drug prevention tips parents can use for kids of any age, from toddler to teenager to young adult.
Self-care is essential to managing the stress, anxiety and other negative emotions that come with helping a loved one through addiction and substance use.
Understanding why some teens drink or use drugs is a valuable step toward keeping them healthy and safe.
The best way to prevent your child from taking negative risks is to replace them with healthy risks.
Identify whether your child could be at higher risk for drug or alcohol use, and learn common reasons for why young people may use.
Before making any decisions about substance use and addiction treatment for your child, take time to understand the options available.
The end of substance use treatment is just the beginning of the road to recovery. Your child will need your help and support to get there.