Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are more than 3 times likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and report getting drunk and losing self-control than normal children.

 

If you have a child diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, this statistic need not make you paranoid. ADD/ADHD is a risk factor for substance abuse, but not everyone high at risk for substance abuse actually ends up abusing them. And there are things you can do for you child which will protect him from the temptation to experiment with and abuse drugs or alcohol.

 

Here is what you can do…

 

1. Spend time with your ADD/ADHD child

 

A good relationship with the parents – and especially with the father – helps kids do better in school and stay out of trouble. This is true for all children, ADD/ADHD or not. ADD/ADHD children are more difficult to get along with, even for their own parents, but it is vital that you take the initiative to build a closer and more trusting relationship.

 

There is also a link between troubled family environments and attention and hyperactivity problems in children – children living with one parent or with a step-parent are two times more likely to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and be prescribed drugs for attention and hyperactivity than children living with both biological parents.

 

All the more reason for you to build your relationship with your child. Start by spending more time with him doing things he enjoys.

 

2. Provide effective discipline

 

This means a lot of supervision and monitoring and drawing the line when only it is really required, but drawing it firmly. Children need to understand that you disapprove of drug and alcohol abuse, and that they are not free to try these things out. If they do, there will be consequences (for example, like losing the privilege of staying alone at home with friends or driving the family car).

 

This may mean you will need to control your own smoking and drinking (if you do smoke or drink). If you are unable to stop, and if your child asks why he cannot smoke or drink when you do, say you do it because you like the taste. Never say you do it because you need it.

 

3. Help him do well at school

 

One of the diagnostic criteria for ADD/ADHD is that it causes children to do poorly in school – because of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. It will take hard work, but if you can help your child to succeed academically or to excel in any thing he finds interesting, it will help your child feel better and more confident about himself and protect him from the temptation to abuse drugs or alcohol.

 

4. Check drug availability in his school and among his friends

 

Most schools are strict about keeping alcohol and illegal drugs out of their schools. But many of them are tolerant about drugs for ADD/ADHD – one category of drugs that are commonly available and easy to abuse. Find out about the schools’ drug policies and how they handle ADD/ADHD medications. These drugs are frequently stolen and abused – if you see the possibility of this happening, raise the issue with the school management.

 

Know your child’s friends and their parents, and keep track of what they are doing. Unsupervised parties and outings are dangerous – let your child know that, for his own safety, he should remain sober and stay away from friends who are drunk. If he doesn’t cooperate, enforce consequences.

 

5. Help him build a support system for himself

 

ADD/ADHD children have difficulties in social interaction, and sometimes they get along better with older people than with their peers. So cultivate your own friendships and let him see how you handle relationships so that he can learn from you. Get to know your extended family and neighbors, and be friendly with his teachers and those who are good with him.

 

 

Children with severe inattention, or with what are called Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder often do worse than children with just the hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, and those with these ‘co-morbidities’ are more likely to abuse drugs as well. But all of them can do better when parents are consistently involved in their lives, clearly show what is acceptable and what is not, and help them achieve in whatever they do best.

 

Tags: Attention Deficit Disorder | Attention Deficit Disorder | alcohol and drug abuse | alcohol and drug abuse | kids with ADD/ADHD | kids with ADD/ADHD | ADD/ADHD

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