Past Ask the Experts

My Son Tried Pot. Did I Let Him Down?
My 14-year-old son recently smoked pot for the first time. I believe he is truly sorry and have made it clear that this is his first and last try of the drug. What should my next move be, and how can I stop feeling as if I let him down in some way since he seemed to lack the will power to say No?
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I Smoked Marijuana as a Teen. How Do I Keep My Son Away From It?
I tell my son not to do it but he says, "You did it and you stopped."
See the expert's response and check out the Marijuana Facts section.

What to Do When You Think Your Child Is Using Drugs
My son may be smoking pot but I haven’t actually caught him or found anything myself. How do I approach this with him and what is the next step in future prevention?
See the expert's response and check out the Is Your Teen Using? section.

Divorced Parents at Odds on Son's Substance Use
My 17-year-old lives with his father in another state. He drinks and has used pot and some other drugs. How can I get his father to see he needs help?
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Caught My Son Smoking Pot
I have caught my 16 year-old son and a couple of his friends smoking pot in our house. Just how do I deal with this? What kind of punishment should he receive?
See the expert's response and check out the Is Your Teen Using? section.

I Just Found Marijuana, Whiskey Bottles and Unknown Pills in My Son's Room.
I called the police and will see my pediatrician to get drug testing. What else can I do?
See the expert's response and check out the Is Your Teen Using? section.

Signs of Marijuana Use
What are the ways I can tell if my child is using marijuana?
See the expert's response and check out the Drug Information section.

How Does Pot Use Interact with ADD Meds?
My son is on Concerta for ADD and he is dyslexic, and not performing well academically; I just found out he has been using pot for about a year, and am devastated. How does pot use interact with the ADD meds? How can I make it clear to him that drug use is not helping his problems?
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Prescription Drugs
I am a father of three kids and am concerned that the new drug of choice is snorting Oxycodone and the like. Why is this so popular and what are the consequences and possibilities of long-term or even short-term complications?
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My Daughter Is Acting Like a Different Person. What Should I Do?
My daughter has always been a good student in school, but this year she has really changed. Her behavior has been so out of hand that I just don't know what to do anymore.
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When Is it Appropriate To Reach Out for Professional Help?
My 14-year-old daughter is using drugs and says she won’t stop. We have taken away all her freedom so she doesn’t have time alone very often. How are we supposed to make her stay home if we can’t physically force her?
See the expert's response and check out the Is Your Teen Using? section.

Can I Make My Daughter Change Friends?
I do not like my daughter’s friends. They often get into trouble and a couple have even been suspended or expelled from school! Can I or should I make her change friends?
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What if a Parent Is Driving Drunk?
As a high school health teacher, one of the things I always say is “never get in a car with a drunk or drugged driver.” What if the drunk driver is a parent and they try to make the child get in the car?”
See the expert's response and check out the Drugged Driving section.

Child Involved with Drug User
My teenaged daughter is involved with a known drug user who has had a devastating effect on her. How can I make her understand that this is a dangerous and damaging relationship?
See the expert's response and review more information on helping your teen develop refusal skills.

Building a Lasting Relationship
I work during the evenings and don't get to spend much time with my daughter. How can I keep her safe from drugs?
See the expert's response and check out the Communicating section.

Saying No
How can I help my kids say no to drugs?
See the expert's response and review these role-playing exercises.

My Son Has Gotten Lazy
My son has gotten lazy with housework and homework. When I ask him about it, he argues, gets mad and sometimes lies so he can go to his friend's house.
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Set and Enforce Family Rules
My teenage son thinks I'm so unfair because I try to set and enforce rules like a reasonable curfew or no going out on school nights. He always argues that none of his friends' parents set rules. Am I being too strict?
See the expert's response and review this related information about enforcing the rules.