We are the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, or ACAMH for short. And this is ACAMH Learn. My name is Sharon Levy. I'm a paediatrician and an addiction medicine specialist. I serve as the Chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital in Massachusetts. Today, we're going to talk about five ways to address substance use with your team's. Kids reach their adult height in their teen years, but their brains take much longer to mature. During adolescence, it's normal for teens to enjoy experiences that trigger responses from the reward centre in the brain. At the same time, the parts of the brain that we use for good decision making are still developing. Essentially, the behaviour accelerator pedal is pressed down hard, while the brakes don't really work all that well yet. That's why young people are more likely to enjoy things like scary movies or big roller coasters. And that's also why they're very attracted to substance use. But the normal developmental imbalance makes the brain vulnerable to developing the changes that underlie addiction. Parents can explain that drugs and alcohol affect teens differently than adults, and that's why it's important to delay the initiation of alcohol and drug use. During adolescence, young people are starting to figure out what they enjoy, what motivates them, who they'll be-- and that information helps them set a course for their adult life. Participating in activities is an important part of the teen years. Everyone is different, so some kids enjoy physical activities like sports or dance, while others might enjoy creative hobbies or academic pursuits. Working and volunteering can also be rewarding for some teams. It's important to provide as many opportunities as possible for your teen to participate in healthy activities and let them decide what they want to pursue. Even helping out around the house, like caring for a family member or a pet, can be rewarding if the efforts are appreciated. There's really nothing quite like the sense of achievement when it comes to brain reward. Although it may not always feel like it, teenagers do respond to their parents. It's important for parents to set clear limits around substance use. Be clear. Be explicit. Tell your children exactly what you think about substance use and what your limits are. It's also important to set a good example by consuming any substances in moderation and avoiding illicit drug use. Parents are encouraged to be truthful about their past, particularly if their children ask them, but they can also decide what to share. I would encourage parents to avoid any stories that glorify past drug use, and if they have been in situations that they wish they never occurred, be honest and tell their children that they wish they had done things differently. Teens should pick their own friends, but parents can have rules around socialisation. For example, when your teen is going out, ask them who they'll be with, what they'll be doing, where they'll be going, and how they'll get there and home. Your child should be able to answer all of those questions before they leave the house. Set a reasonable curfew that matches the agreed-upon plan. It's important that parents don't allow their children to participate in parties or other gatherings where teens get together to drink or use drugs. Context is everything. When kids get together in big groups, they tend to disinhibit each other, and use can really escalate in these situations. That puts kids at risk of getting injured, getting into a car crash, or getting involved in other situations that are dangerous. Substance use disorders are more common in people with certain genetic makeups. While we can't control our genes, fortunately, they're not our destiny. In fact, substance use disorders are the only chronic disorder that can be avoided entirely because substance use is a prerequisite for developing a substance use disorder. Information about genetic risk factors can be very motivating, so consider sharing information if and when appropriate. And of course, protect the privacy of family members who may have substance use disorders or other mental health problems. [AUDIO LOGO]