Parents Can Help Their Kids Avoid Substance Use, says Intermountain Children's Health

Intermountain Health Primary Children's community health experts give tips for parents to help prevent teen substance use.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (PRUnderground) October 1st, 2026

Preventing teen substance use can start at home. When parents maintain open communication, stay engaged in their teen's life, and set clear boundaries, they can build trust and encourage their children to seek guidance when questions or challenges arise.

Three points for parents to know: 

1. 1. Start early. Begin age-appropriate conversations as early as age nine, before a child is offered alcohol, nicotine, or another substance.  

1. 2. Listen before you lecture. Ask what your child has seen or heard, listen without judgment, and keep the conversation going.  

1. 3. Make your home safer. Secure medications, alcohol, nicotine, and other products, and safely dispose of unused medication.  

Start the conversation early 

Nine can sound young, but this doesn't need to be a big, formal talk about drugs. The goal is to start with simple, age-appropriate conversations and build from there. 

"Start the conversation before there's a problem. A few minutes now can make it easier for your child to come to you later," said Danielle Chunglo, community health coordinator at Intermountain Health Primary Children's Hospitals. 

Children may already see vaping, alcohol, or other substances online, at school, or in advertising. Parents want to become a trusted source of information before their child is offered a substance. Experts recommend starting these conversations as early as age nine.  
 

What does this conversation sound like for a kid? 

Keep it simple. You could ask, "What have you heard about vaping?" or "What do you think about what you saw online?" 

Then listen. You don't need to correct every word or turn the moment into a lecture. Children need to know they can ask questions and get a calm, honest response. 

"You don't have to know all the answers. Ask, listen, and let your child know the conversation is always open," Chunglo said. 

Parents can also point out how advertising targets young people and help children recognize those tactics.  

What can parents do at home to help prevent substance use? 

Connection matters. Spend regular one-on-one time together. Know your child's friends and what's happening in their life.  

"Prevention starts with two things parents can do today: Stay connected and reduce access," said  Chunglo. 

Parents can also reduce access. Secure prescription medications, alcohol, nicotine, and other products. Take unused medications to a local drug take-back program.  

Warning signs should parents 

There isn't one change that proves a teen is using substances. Look for several changes happening together, such as: 

• - A sudden shift in friends, activities, or behavior. 
  - Unexplained spending or missing items at home. 
  - Coughing, low energy, appetite changes, or unusual smells. 
  - Withdrawal from family or usual activities. 

These signs may have many causes. They give parents a reason to check in, not a reason to accuse.  

If parents do find substances in the house from their teen, first, pause and take a breath. A response driven by fear or anger can shut down the conversation. 

Ask what happened and listen. Try to understand what may be behind the use. Stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or social pressure can play a role for some young people. Understanding the reason doesn't mean accepting the behavior. It helps the family identify the right support.  

Resources 

Families can contact Assessment, Referral and Consultation Services, or ARCS, at 385-478-2400. Anyone can call, and no referral is needed. An intake specialist can help determine appropriate next steps.  

Additional resources listed in the rack card include: 

• ParentsEmpowered.org: Utah-focused information and conversation tips. 

• TalkTheyHearYou.samhsa.gov: Parent conversation guides from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

• MyLifeMyQuit.com: Tobacco, vaping, and nicotine quit support for teens in English and Spanish. 

• Utah Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or 1-800-784-8669. 

• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP, or 1-800-662-4357. 

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Emergency and crisis support.  

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a nonprofit health plan called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org/. For more information, see intermountainhealth.org/ or call 801-442-2000.

Original Press Release.