What makes kids grow up and do drugs?

Question

I have 2 small children and dont want them to grow up and become addicts. I have watched so many good parents watch their good kids get hooked on drugs, crack.. pot.. heroin... and other. It ruins their lives. I mean good in a general way. Normal run of the mill parents and kids. I dont do drugs and never have, but i dont know why i didnt, i just didnt. How can i instill in my children that drugs are very harmful... I would like answers from everyone, but especially teens that have been faced with the pressure to do drugs and why did you or didnt you do it??? PLEASE HONEST ANSWERS

Answer 1

I think genetics are the first factor, then environment. I have 2 teenage boys, one got into drugs and the other didn't. Same school, same peer surrounding. Self esteem issues maybe? I dont know. The one who is the trouble is really smart too so it blows my mind. Boredom is a reason too I believe. Not having enough to do, or activities to be invi=olved in. I have always stressed to my kids, and used those around us who had drug problems as an example of why not to do drugs. Its a tough dissappointing road sometimes when you do all that you know and still cant find the one piece that you maybe missed.

Answer 2

People used to and still say, "Marijuana is a gateway drug." I beg to differ and agree at the same time. Cigarettes are also an initial step to trying new and "bad" things. Every person reacts to different drugs differently. Two kids who try cocaine at the same time and at the same initial frequency will react totally different. One will love the feeling and never want to stop, while the other will toil with it and be done. The single most important thing to keep an eye on is the company your children keep. Peer pressure is strong and remains that way until you rid yourself of the source of the pressure. If you are not exposed and presented with the opportunity to try the drugs regularly, you will not do them. Simple as that. I know this becuase I was HEAVILY involved in the wrong side of the drug world and made these observations based on many real life experiences, including watching those around me.

There is a balancing act. Those parents that send their kids to rehab too readily and too often will ruin that child. I have seen it happen. Just show support and don't alienate them. We all make bad choices, but we don't need to feel like they will haunt us for ever.

In conclusion, stay interested in your child's life, especially in the friends they keep. Don't try to push too hard when they are in their teens becuase like it or not they will still see those "friends" that you do not approve of in school. They will rebel if pushed too hard. There is no getting around it. Switching schools won't help and neither will home schooling them. Besides, most home schooled kids lack the social interaction skills needed to succeed in this world.

Answer 3

I will honestly tell you that I did drugs as a teen (I am now 27) and was addicted to drugs for several years. I did cocaine, amphetamines, crystal meth, weed, pills and alcohol. I am now clean and have been for 4 years. I don't know why I did it. I didn't start until I was 17 and probably started because my friends were doing it. My advice to you is take your kids when they are about 10 to a drug rehab center, to a prison, to a grave. They will get the hint. I didn't stop until I was in a hotel room with a gun to my head and a needle in my arm. I think about it everyday. I stopped because I didn't want to die. Niether do your children.

Answer 4

im a 22 year old mother and wife
i was once a drug addict.
i have been sober 2 years now :-)
my parents really never talked to me about drugs
like my mom new my brothers smoked pot
she didnt care
but my dad did. when dad was home that stuff wasnt going down.
i was using meth for about 3 years. started at about 18. using on occasional parties and stuff...then it turned into an addiction. i think i did it because alot of friends were expierementing with it. I expieremented with alot of party drugs, ecstacy, pot,coke.meth, mushrooms. alot of that stuff is out there for kids to get ! so easy to get that stuff man, its like getting a newspaper. If news stand doesnt have it you go to the next one. i swear. thats really horrible. Many kids do this stuff because of the influences around them. just now wo your kids are around. know their parents. buut no matter how much you think you have done to teach your kids about not doing drugs,when it comes down to it, its their decision. I know its scary.
not much more i could say.
take care!

Answer 5

i was pressured as a teen late teen to do drugs and i didnt my mom always told me they were bab and i believed her. she also told me my dad did do drugs and i decided early in life not to become like my dad. i will tell my son the same thing that drugs are bad and just because you think everyone else is doing it it still dont make it rigjht or safe

Answer 6

Friends, and Watching Parents I think is where most kids learn it. They all want to fit in and be cool and of course if their parents do it they grow up thinking it's ok... just like abuse... kids who've seen their families do are used to thinking that's the way life is. I say watch for the kind of friends you kids take on, and if they are bullied in school, etc.

Answer 7

I did do some drugs growing up and the reason I used them was loneliness and lack of a connection with my parents. I think if I had had sports and their support I wouldn't have wanted to numb myself.

Answer 8

ok being completly honest here- i graduated from the D.A.R.E. program(drug abuse resistance education) when i was in school. i never thought i would do drugs, but when i moved to mn i met my now husband and we both got into pot and meth. honestly i am glad that i did because now i can tell my son the true consequences. i stoped when i found out i was pregnant and have been clean for nearly 4 years now!!

Answer 9

I think the best thing you can do is to be involved in your children's lives. Show an interest in who they hang out with. Encourage them to get involved in school activities. You can't be with your children 24/7, but let them know you are there and that you care.

Answer 10

well i smoked weed in highschool but i think they kids are starting younger now like in junior high. i guess i smoked weed because i was curious and my friends were trying it and i really did have a very active father in my life as long as he could do what he wanted i could do what i wanted. i mean i tryed it and wasnt impressed and never did it again after my junior year. i guess what im trying to say is on one hand maybe it wouldnt hurt for them to try it at a good age to understand what they are doing BUT on the other hand you should sit your children down and have a talk with them on the situation maybe even with their friends but be on their level. on a parent level but on their level too.