Girls & Drugs

Teen girls—They are more susceptible to peer pressure when it comes to alcohol than boys.¹ They are more vulnerable to depression, anxiety and issues concerning appearance than boys.² And they are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to improve mood, increase confidence, reduce tension, cope with stress, lose inhibitions or lose weight than boys.³

So, what does this mean for you as the parent or caregiver of a teen girl? Your role in her life can be the key to keeping her drug and alcohol free. This can be a challenging time as you watch your daughter grow independent, make decisions and develop into a young adult. Even during this difficult time, parents are the most important influence in their child’s life. You can help your daughter navigate this exciting, but stressful time.

Here are a few ways to help your daughter grow up happy and healthy:

Give her your time and attention regularly.
Inspire your daughter’s interests and talents to help her build strong self-esteem.
Recognize good behaviors and praise your daughter often.
Love but limit. Set expectations and clear “no-drug” rules.
Stress is a big deal. Stay in-tune with what’s going on in your daughter’s life.

Get more tips here!
For more information about how drugs affect teen girls, visit TheAntiDrug.com.

Want to tell the apple of your eye how much you love her? Send her an E-card to show her how much you care.

1. Donovan, J.E. Gender differences in alcohol involvement in children and adolescents: a review of the literature. In Women and alcohol: Issues for prevention research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Research Monograph No. 32, Bethesda, MD, 1996.
2. National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Formative years: Pathways to substance abuse among girls and young women ages 8-22. Columbia University, New York, NY, 2003.
3. Ibid.

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