Viva Vitality: Understanding Youth Substance Use
By Michelle Sauvé
Some children and youth experiment with and push boundaries. These behaviors are a part of growing up for many young people. When tobacco, vaping, alcohol, drugs, or gambling are involved, experimentation can become a progression that may lead to dependency or an addiction.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) offers a Parent Information Series designed to answer frequently asked questions and give factual information that may help prevent children from using drugs, help them make healthy lifestyle choices and support them in making changes in their lives. To find this series search “Parent Information Series: Drug Use, Gambling, Peer Pressure” at albertahealthservices.ca.
Another good resource is found at DrugSafe.ca where you will find information about alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs. You will learn that it is important to start conversations about substances early (by the age of 10) and to talk often. Sticking to the facts and setting boundaries is important as is modelling healthy behaviours. For some children, it is helpful to talk about how substances can impact their developing brain and how this can affect performance at school, sports, and other activities that may be important to them.
Vaping continues to be a common experimentation activity amongst youth in Alberta. Healthier Together is another AHS website where parents can learn more about vaping and how to talk to their children and teens. There is also a link to Health Canada’s Consider the Consequences of Vaping website, a national campaign with youth-friendly videos, virtual games, and other resources. Steer your teen toward this credible source on vaping and use it to kick-start family conversations.
Some teenagers will try substances out of curiosity or peer pressure and decide it’s not for them. Others will experiment and then keep using. If you suspect your teen is experimenting, encourage them to talk to their doctor or meet with a counsellor to discuss substances and their effects. If your teen needs help to quit, talk to your health care provider or call Health Link at 811. If your teen is not willing to act on your concerns, talk to your doctor or a counsellor yourself to help you see what you can do.
AHS offers different levels of treatment to meet individual needs. Access Addiction & Mental Health is a service for anyone of any age looking for non-urgent advice, information and appointments for addiction and mental health concerns. We listen to your concerns and find the services and support right for you. Call 1-888-594-0211 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Michelle Sauvé is a Health Promotion Facilitator on the Prevention Promotion Team for Addiction and Mental Health and can be contacted at michelle.sauve@ahs.ca.