Is there anything you can do to stop your child becoming an addict?

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

To drugs, alcohol, prescription medication, sugar, tobacco - anything you can become addicted to.

How do you personally think you can bring up secure, mentally stable people who are strong enough to function with harmful props?

This is something I worry about. I have a tendency towards addiction and can see some signs in two out of three DC. I'm not sure what the answer is. I try to teach them how to be satisfied by different things like exercise, achievement.

Imo (6 dc over 18), helping them manage stress at a young age is helpful... Ds 25 had a stressful time as a teen - exh related... Then embarked on a stressful career.. Dependant on cigarettes and alcohol. Other dc found other tools to manage theirs like sport /fitness /less stressful jobs..

Addiction often compensates for lack of connection, so building children up to trust their loved ones, their environment and themselves is key.

Drug issues are often related to mental health issues, so it's not about the drugs it's about escaping reality. Therefore has pp has mentioned, coping strategies, dealing with any past trauma and being happy with your life are what's important.

The way I have studied addition makes it seem like a coping mechanism people use in times of stress, weather it's chocolate or heroin it's kind of the same thing and we are all guilty of it to some degree (wine, shopping, exercise)

I guess it's trying to find coping mechanisms that are less detrimental would help and also having a supportive family unit where talking and expressing emotion is encouraged and safe.

Not sure about the parenting side as mine isn't even born yet but from what I've learned about addiction this is the approach I will be taking :)

I can't find the article but I once read that there is scientifically more evidence that childhood trauma leads to drug addiction as an adult, than there is that sugar causes diabetes.

So treat your children kindly, listen to them, meet their emotional needs and encourage them to express their feelings.