Parental love: the drug antidote

Teens who are close to their parents are less likely to use drugs. According to three professors of psychiatry, the authors of A General Theory of Love, “Study after study has shown that children with close familial ties are far less likely to become entangled in substance abuse. Even under ideal circumstances, teenage years abound in emotional surges, changing roles, growing pains. If adolescents do not receive limbic stability from relationships in the home, they will be measurably more susceptible to chemical options outside.”

Even though teenagers often have many activities outside their homes, they still very much need love, support and attention from their parents. Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply be around to listen to them. The time and energy we put into being there for our children will certainly pay off in many ways.