Talking With Your Teens About Drug Use and Sobriety

Drug use among teens has decreased over the decades—with the exception of vaping. Still, as of 2023, 36.8% of teenagers had used some type of illegal drug by the time they reached 12th grade, according to DrugAbuseStatistics.org. While usage is down overall, more teens than ever before are overdosing. The prevalence of fentanyl-laced drugs in the market has made substance use more dangerous than ever.

If you have a preteen or teenager who may be struggling with drug use, here’s how you can gently express your concerns and help them get on the path to sobriety.

Identifying the Signs of Addiction

The beginning of any sobriety journey starts with acknowledging the problem. If your child views their habits as just partying or “not that big of a deal,” you may want to introduce them to the four C’s of addiction:

Compulsion: the inability to stop using a substance.
Control: loss of control over substance use—constantly thinking about drugs or alcohol and feeling unable to resist the urge.
Craving: a strong desire or urge to use.
Consequences: negative outcomes from drug use, including health problems, fractured relationships, missed responsibilities, and more.

If you’ve learned your child is using drugs, sit down and have an honest conversation about the four C’s. Ask your teen if they recognize any of these traits in themselves. Hopefully, they are mature and self-aware enough to reflect honestly. If not, it may take time—but understanding is key to committing to change. Even if your child doesn’t exhibit all of these signs, the presence of just one is enough reason to consider healthier choices and pursue sobriety.

Getting to the Cause

The conversation shouldn’t stop there. As you seek help from professionals—therapists, counselors, or a rehab center—it’s also a good time to explore the deeper reasons behind your child’s substance use. Ask open-ended questions. What thoughts, experiences, or feelings contributed to the behavior?

Join Them on the Journey

As your child explores the roots of their addiction, don’t be afraid to do the work with them. The Redpoint Center, an outpatient substance use treatment program in Colorado, recommends family therapy as part of a teen’s recovery process. Healing together can foster trust and understanding.

Find Community

Support systems are essential to success. Sobriety treatment for teens often includes group therapy, where teens connect with peers facing similar challenges. These relationships can provide accountability, shared wisdom, and encouragement.

Stay Patient

Sobriety is not a destination—it’s a journey. Remind both yourself and your child that the path will come with ups and downs. Relapse may occur, but it doesn’t mean failure. Be patient. Offer grace and consistency. Recovery takes time.