Utilizing At-Home Drug Testing in Children for Implementing a Drug Free Household

As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to keep your children safe and healthy. Unfortunately, drug abuse is a real and growing problem among teenagers, and it can be difficult to detect until it becomes a serious issue. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry warns that the average age of first marijuana use is 14 years-old¹. A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry revealed that 81 percent of teens said they had the opportunity to use illicit substances, with 42.5 percent actually trying them². In fact, the CDC reports 15% of high school students reported having misused prescription opioids or select illicit drugs (i.e. cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy)³. One way for parents to address this problem is by utilizing an at-home urine drug test or saliva drug test for your children. In this article, we will explore the benefits of at-home drug testing and how it can help you create a drug-free household.

Provides an Early Warning System

One of the biggest benefits of at-home drug testing is that it provides an early warning system for potential drug abuse. If your child tests positive for drugs, it gives you an opportunity to intervene early and get them the help they need before the problem becomes more serious. By detecting drug use early, you can prevent it from turning into a full-blown addiction.

Creates a Deterrent

Another benefit of at-home drug testing is that it creates a deterrent for drug use. Knowing that they could be tested at any time can discourage your children from experimenting with drugs in the first place. This can help prevent drug use from becoming a problem in your household.

Builds Trust

At-home drug testing can also be a tool for building trust with your children. By being transparent about your expectations and using drug testing as a preventative measure, you can show your children that you care about their well-being and want to keep them safe. This can create an environment of trust and open communication, which is crucial for preventing drug use.

Helps Establish Boundaries

Drug testing can also be used as a way to establish clear boundaries with your children. By setting expectations and enforcing consequences for drug use, you can establish a clear understanding of what is and is not acceptable behavior in your household. This can help prevent drug use from becoming a problem and create a safer environment for your children.

Encourages Responsibility

At-home drug testing can encourage responsibility in your children. By giving them the opportunity to make the right choices and hold themselves accountable, you can empower them to make good decisions and avoid negative consequences. This can help them develop a sense of responsibility and ownership over their choices, which is an important skill for success in life.

Shields Against Peer Pressure

Lastly, at-home drug testing can provide your child with an excuse to not cave to peer pressure. Parents can teach their children to utilize a canned response when being offered drugs like “my parents drug test me at home, and if I ever test positive, I’ll lose my _____(e.g. car privileges, athletic privileges, allowance, college money, freedom – they’ll actually send me to military school, etc.). Teach your kids to blame you when speaking to their friends or peers, offering an easy out without being shamed.

If you are considering implementing a preventative at-home drug testing program in your household or want to check your child because of recent suspicious behavior, be sure to have an open and honest conversation with them about your intentions. Stress that you are trying to protect them because you love them. It’s also beneficial to stress that you only want what is best for your children because you know the damage drug use can cause to kids and their families. It is particularly beneficial to use real life examples of friends, families or other individuals that have experienced negative consequences of drug abuse.

In conclusion, at-home drug testing can be a valuable tool for parents looking to create a drug-free household. By providing an early warning system, creating a deterrent, building trust, establishing boundaries, encouraging responsibility, and providing an out against peer pressure, drug testing can help keep your children safe and healthy.