Parental Strategies to Implement When Your Teen is Caught Smoking

Finding out that your adolescent child smokes can be a worrying and difficult circumstance for parents. What can you do when your teen is caught smoking? Using tobacco or marijuana can have a big impact on someone's behavior, health, and future. For this reason, it’s essential to know what to do in this situation, as well as what supports are available for teens and parents struggling with this issue. For instance, teens who find themselves on the wrong path may gain the confidence and support they need to make better choices from a therapeutic program such as the one at Liahona Academy. This setting offers one-on-one guidance, positive peer support, and much more, helping teens turn their lives around and gain confidence in themselves. Continue reading to learn more about how a therapeutic setting can help teens in need as well as what to do as a parent when you discover your teen is smoking.

What to Do When You Discover Your Teen Is Smoking

First, it's critical to maintain composure and address the problem with empathy rather than anger when you discover your adolescent smoking. Reacting in the wrong way will only drive them away and increase their level of secrecy. Start by speaking candidly and openly with your teen. Tell them how worried you are about their health and happiness, while also exploring the effects of smoking. At the same time, the strategies listed below are also crucial for providing the most well-rounded support. Recognize the Causes: To understand why your teen started smoking, take a step back and monitor them without passing judgment. Common causes include peer pressure, stress, curiosity, or a desire to rebel. Once you understand the underlying issues, it’s easier to create an action plan. Focus on Education: Make sure your teen is aware of the dangers of smoking any kind of tobacco or marijuana. Disseminate facts on the impacts on health, possibility of addiction, influence on academic achievement, and legal ramifications. They can make more informed judgments about their health when they are well-informed. Keep in mind that this information should be provided informally, with back-and-forth dialogue, not with you lecturing them. Consider Surrounding Issues: Smoking may be a sign of violence, academic underachievement, or substance misuse, among other undesirable behaviors. If you observe these habits, it may be best to get expert assistance. Our team at Liahona has provided teens and parents with support for a wide variety of issues and can create a customized care plan for your teen’s needs.

Are Support Groups Helpful for Teens Struggling With Smoking?

Support groups can be quite helpful for teenagers who are having problems with marijuana and tobacco use. These groups give teenagers a platform to interact with others going through similar struggles in a secure and accepting setting, which lessens feelings of loneliness and promotes a sense of belonging. Plus, teens receive helpful information about the dangers and repercussions of smoking, as well as workable cessation techniques, in addition to peer support. Participating in a support group can give teens the necessary emotional support during trying times and help them stay accountable for their goals linked to quitting. Additionally, support groups introduce coping mechanisms to handle stress, cravings, and smoking triggers.  In many support group settings, teens will also have the chance to meet others who have successfully given up smoking and can act as positive role models, encouraging and motivating them to give up smoking. Regardless of whether your teen is struggling with tobacco or marijuana use, support groups are critical to their success.

Exploring Punishment and Support Regarding Tobacco and Marijuana Use

For any parent, learning that their teen smokes tobacco or marijuana can be upsetting. It's critical that parents address the matter with a combination of compassion and support, while also making sure any punishments not only discourage future use but are also educational. Consider the following when exploring punishments that also offer support: Educational Resources: Make available books, movies, or articles that explain the negative effects of smoking on one's body and mind. Assist them in realizing the long-term effects on their health and welfare. Setting Clear Ground Rules: Clearly define the household's policies about smoking and the associated repercussions. This can include outlawing smoking inside the home, on the property, or when siblings are around. Enforcing Penalties: Impose penalties for violating the regulations,such as losing rights like the ability to drive, receive an allowance, or use electronics. Reinforcing the message requires consistency. Get Help: To address underlying concerns that might be influencing your teen’s smoking behavior, think about programs like Liahona Academy, which offers a therapeutic setting to assist teens in understanding the root cause of behaviors and provides a positive peer setting that helps manage stress and other difficulties your teen might be having. Community Service: Have your teen participate in volunteer programs or complete community service in areas such as health awareness or drug misuse prevention. This can foster in them a sense of accountability and compassion for those going through comparable struggles. Substance Testing: To keep an eye on your teen's conduct and discourage future substance misuse, you may choose to regularly test for drugs, particularly if trust has been seriously fractured. Positive Reinforcement: Praise your teen as they begin to make better decisions. It’s essential to ensure they feel good about their progress in order for them to continue on the right path. It is imperative to handle the matter with compassion, tolerance, and a readiness to help your teen get through this difficult period. Remember, you don’t have to do this on your own. Programs like ours were created to provide well-rounded support in matters such as these. 

How Can Therapeutic Programs Help?

Therapeutic programs like ours can provide teens who are suffering from smoking and related concerns with structured assistance and guidance. Individual counseling, group therapy, life skills instruction, and substance abuse education are all components of our program. Teens who participate in our therapeutic interventions can address underlying problems, create coping strategies, and alter their behavior for the better. As a result, they head down a brighter path that keeps them out of trouble and provides them with the skills they need to become strong and successful adults.

Contact Our Team Today

Helping your teen stop smoking and addressing any underlying concerns that may be influencing their behavior are the ultimate goals. Parental guidance and education, along with resource access, can enable your teen to make better decisions and live a happy and satisfying life. However, we understand that this is often much easier said than done, which is why our team is here to help.  We encourage you to seek assistance if managing the situation becomes too difficult. Over the years, we’ve helped many parents ensure their teens get the help they need, and we’d love to offer that support to you as well. If, after trying some of the strategies above, your teen continues to struggle with smoking or related behaviors, contact our team to see how we can help. Sources: https://www.liahonaacademy.com/a-journey-from-teen-gangs-smoking-and-parental-disobedience.html https://www.liahonaacademy.com/when-to-confront-teen-son-about-smoking-weed.html https://progressreport.cancer.gov/prevention/youth_smoking https://drugfree.org/article/having-tough-conversations/ https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/child-using https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/helping-teens-quit/tips-for-talking-to-kids https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/helping-teens-quit