Teens Health recently surveyed 900 teens, ages 13-18, asking them how well they do when setting and meeting personal goals. When given the following five categories, the kids chose which types of goals they usually set for themselves, and the goals were then ranked based on their popularity:
• Lose weight
• Personal development
• Do better in school
• Exercise
• Overcome a bad habit
It may seem strange that with the amount of drug and alcohol abuse amongst Canadian teenagers, “overcoming a bad habit” was ranked as the least popular teen goal. But, this survey also showed that more often than not, teens choose to keep their resolutions to themselves, instead of sharing them with their families, friends, teachers or counselors:
“And while 49% shared their resolution with someone else, 51% preferred to keep it private.”
This tells us that many teens feel unable to speak out and receive the help they need to overcome addictions because they may feel embarrassed or too afraid to share their problems. Today’s teenagers live in a society that guides them to hide addictions or unsafe practices from authority figures like parents and teachers. Teenagers may choose not to speak out about their problems because they fear reprisal rather than expect support.
Motivation to avoid or give up drugs and alcohol is complicated, especially when it involves overcoming an addiction. Family support is integral in motivating teens to live lives without the use of drugs or alcohol. However, in order to provide your children with family support, you need to open the lines of communication first. Involving your whole family in a commitment to live in a drug-free home keeps important conversation flowing. When your family commits to regular drug testing, they might find it easier to meaningfully talk about addiction and social pressures because each member must be accountable for and honest about his or her activities.
In addition to having a support system, a goal is more easily met if there are clear and specific steps that will lead to that goal being fulfilled. If your family has agreed to participate in home drug testing, you’ve already reached the first step in meeting your desired goal: you’ve set specific expectations for your family to follow. The motivation to be drug and alcohol free is given concrete, real-life accountability when each family member is asked to prove s/he has stayed on track.
With commitment to these steps, your family will have access to more open conversation, support and trust, which means your family will be less likely to experience the negative effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
Each of the drug tests offered on this website is non-intrusive, safe and simple to use. These tests require only a sample of hair for the hair drug test, urine for the urinalysis, or saliva.
Home drug testing is the simple and easy solution when motivating your family members to be drug free.