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for Parents at PDAPCommon Parent Questions and Answers "I just found out my kid is using drugs, what can I do?" "Can I come to meetings if my kid does not want to come alone?" "How long will it take until my kid is well and off drugs?" "What can I do if my child's friends are using drugs?" "My child is not using drugs, but is there anything I can do to prevent it?" "How do I know when I should step in, if I'm not certain my kid is using drugs?" "My kid is using drugs and I want to help but I don't want the world to find out, What then?" Answers for Parent Questions "I just found out my kid is using drugs, what can I do?" If you have just discovered that your child is using drugs, you might be feeling overwhelmed about now. Immediate support is available and PDAP staff can help. By contacting PDAP, you will have already taken the first step towards helping your child. PDAP is aware that the recovery process involves everyone to be supportive, so we have meetings for parents and family members as well. For parent meeting listings and locations closest to you, click here. top "Can I come to meetings if my kid does not want to come alone?" PDAP offers group meetings just for kids, just for parents, and for both. When kids and parents come to meetings, they are split into appropriate groups. Because some kids come without their parents, many kids lose the feeling of needing their parents presence very quickly. While it is not required for parents to attend, we encourage everyone to take part in the recovery process as a measure of support and learning. top "How long will it take until my kid is well and off drugs?" How long it takes to reach a chemical free lifestyle is entirely up to the individual. For some, getting involved in the program and following the 12 steps takes longer than others. Meanwhile there are some who come to their first few meetings and walk away from drug use forever. Last year, at least 62% of our young people achieved sobriety in their first 30 days of participation. top "What can I do if my child's friends are using drugs?" Being a good parent means taking an active interest in your child's life, and this includes their friendships. Establishing communication with the parents of your child's friends is always a good idea, as a method of contact in the event of an emergency. While it is unrealistic to expect control of other people's children, understanding that they are your responsibility while in your care is very important. If you have learned that your child's friends are in fact using drugs, it is your responsibility to let the parents know that you are concerned for their safety and well-being. (If they are unaware, they cannot take steps to help their own child either.) Encourage activities that have supervision and always require accountability from your kids at all times. PDAP meetings are a good learning resource for your own child to be aware of the facts about taking drugs and also to witness their own peers being supportive of each other in taking leave of a drug lifestyle. This can provide a method of reaching out to the youth and help them reach out to each other. top "My child is not using drugs, but is there anything I can do to prevent it?" This is a very legitimate concern and PDAP encourages the community to ask this question more often! There are so many things that families can do as a preventative measure, to help children become aware about the epidemic of drug use in society. But awareness is hardly enough to avoid it. Communication with children is essential and actively participating in social activities when kids are young is a good habit to establish trust. This consistency of trust will be helpful later, should they ever need to express feelings when approaching adolescence. Making an effort to set a good example and provide positive influences early on also creates a positive onset to effective guidance. To learn more about warning signs of drug use, or simply find supportive information for parents with similar concerns, we offer meetings for parents, and invite you to come share. Click here for parent meeting information. top "How do I know when I should step in, if I'm not certain my kid is using drugs?" If you have worries about anything concerning your children, calmly talking about it is the best way to understand each other, and drugs are no exception. If you are not sure, ask. Chances are they might prefer to be honest than lie to you about it, if they think you will be understanding, caring, and helpful. Stepping in is always the best policy to show your kids you love them and that you'll be there when they need you most. top "My kid is using drugs and I want to help but I don't want the world to find out, What then?" By becoming a PDAP member, confidentiality is not compromised. No one has to know about your child's attendance to meetings unless you want them to know, or until you are ready. Although most people feel embarrassed about drug use in their own family, you should know that experimental drug use is common. (According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 93 percent of all teenagers have some experience with alcohol while two-thirds of all American young people try illicit drugs before they finish high school.) But overt admittance to others about drugs by teens is also a sign that they are open to express their experiences or recovery and PDAP gives kids the proper place to express themselves. top Back to FAQs The
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