News / Education
Creative Care Co-Founder Talks About Keeping Kids Off Drugs
With four children of her own and a career in rehabilitation, Dr. Khaleghi has strong opinions on the subject. “Ideally, I like to talk to preschoolers and their parents,” Khaleghi says. “Substance abuse starts young. Children are highly observant of what goes on around them, and they soak it all in.” Therefore it’s important, she continues, that parents teach by modeling appropriate behavior.
Everywhere, children are presented with images of substance use, if not abuse. Society portrays drinking, for example, as having many different functions. “It’s been a rough week; I need a drink.” “It’s been a great week. Let’s celebrate with a drink!” “Let’s get together with friends for happy hour and have a few drinks.” From the barrage of images, children learn that alcohol is crucial to dealing with stress, celebrating happy events and socializing with friends.
“Kids have the same frustrations and social anxieties (Dual Diagnosis Addictions) that adults do, if on a different level,” Khaleghi noted. Parents need to be sure that their children are not absorbing poor lessons about how to deal with those stresses. They need to reorient themselves and be more conscious of what their children are seeing. Modeling appropriate ways of dealing with social issues is far more effective than the old method of telling them, “Do as I say; don’t do as I do.'
Those who have a family history of substance abuse should communicate with their children and discuss the issue in an age-appropriate manner, Khaleghi said. She also noted that her own family’s history of addiction and substance abuse may be what led her to a career in rehabilitation.
As for those young celebrities who are photographed passed out or otherwise showing signs of drug or alcohol abuse, Khaleghi says parents should use those images to create “teachable moments.” Communication is the key at any age.
For more information about keeping young people safe from substance abuse, Khaleghi invited listeners to visit their website at Creative Care Malibu.
