If a child is abusing drugs or alcohol parents often try to control the situation.

This might include:

 Questioning what they do - asking them where they've been - and who with.
 Making threats - "If you do it again, I won't buy you those new jeans that you wanted!".
 Checking up on them - searching their things for signs of drug or alcohol use.
 Punishment - Not allowing them to go out . . . no pocket money.
 Emotional blackmail - "Your Grandfather is very upset about what you're doing".
 Shaming them - "I'm very disappointed in you.

Can you identify with this sort of behaviour It's the sort of attempts at trying to control the situation that many parents resort to when their child is abusing drugs or alcohol.

So - we need to ask . .

Is this helping you and your child or is it hurting you both?

In our experience, attempts to exert control do not help a child to deal with a drug or alcohol problem - and they do not help the parent or parents either. It's harmful for the whole family. Let's see why . . .