07/02/03
When I was in rehab, I saw some pretty amazing things.
Actually, those things still continue to amaze, all these years after. But the most amazing thing is that you don't have to be in rehab to see it.
Before landing a job at PC Authority, I actually put my Psychology degree to good use and worked for the excellent Ted Noffs Foundation. TNF's residential PALM (Program for Adolescent Life Management) centres provide counseling, education and family services to young people with drug and alcohol problems.
Most significantly, however, is how unimportant drugs actually are. Time and time again, with each young person that came through, we'd see an inadequate support network and poor family communication – on everyone's part.
Thankfully, there's an enormous body of help and advice out there for parents and the community to help tackle drug issues. Drug education is also becoming more prominent in schools, and families are taking a more active role in their kids' lives.
So if your kids aren't using drugs, then everything's okay. . . yeah?
There's a strange acceptance in many families that as long as your kids are at home and not taking drugs then everything's okay. Who cares if he sits in front of the Xbox or PC? At least he's safe, right?
Well no, actually.
It's unlikely that they'll develop healthy relationships with others. It's also likely that they're physical health will suffer, too. And what about school, work and romance?
Sound familiar?
The impact of obsessive gaming can be just as detrimental to someone's life but by tapping into the same advice, you can help.
The idea of communication is the common theme here, and if you're not communicating properly then you won't see any problem until it finds you. Clear, uninhibited and non-judgmental dialogue is the key.
Do you know why your children are sitting in front of the PC all day?
Why do they want to blow things up? Is that all there is to it? Maybe it's actually a strategy game, and he wants to be intellectually challenged. Maybe the blood and explosions are just eye-candy.
And who are they talking to in that chat room? What topic is it? Is it social, or is your child talking politics in Finland with a University professor?
The point here is to make sure you're not assuming that everything is bad, and that your kids are bad for doing it. A blank slate is the perfect way to start talking, and it's the hardest part.
You can't expect your kids to tell you everything about their lives, nor can you expect them to tell you everything just because you're asking. It's not as easy as taking a passive, ignorant stance to their lives, but it'll pay huge dividends in the long run.
If things do get tough, there's plenty of help out there. Head over to Reach Out! for your first jump.
I'm keen to hear how things pan out, so drop me a line at dkidd@pcauthority.com.au.