Using Home Drug Tests: The Home Drug Test and Bond of Trust

By Dr. Deb Carlin

If you're not trained to recognize the signs of drug use or symptoms of drug use in your teen and are considering the idea of using home drug test kits to prevent or solve problems before they get worse, then it is OK for you to have concerns about the bond of trust you have with your teen.

Remember that the pathway to preserving a bond of trust between you and your teen is not a one-way street. Some people believe that the use of home drug tests will damage the parent-child bond. However, when used properly, as part of a clearly communicated home drug testing program, I'd like you to consider the probability that you could actually PRESERVE that bond of trust. You can be the judge.

It has been my experience that as long as kids think they can get away with something without their parents finding out, they don't think their bond of trust is ever in jeopardy and they do what they want. If kids really value the bond of trust they have with their parents, and they know they'll screw it up by failing a home drug test, then a deterrent exists where it didn't before. That deterrent can save lives.

The deterrent for teens to say no to drugs may not be as strong if their parents have not had a very important discussion with them about establishing a home drug testing program. At TestMyTeen.com there is a simple checklist that is available to parents, free of charge, that walks them through how to have what might otherwise be an uncomfortable or ineffective conversation about drug use.

Drug free expectations should be communicated, random drug tests promised and all rewards and consequences tied to results of home drug tests should be clearly defined. If parents have taken the time to establish and communicate their drug-free expectations in this fashion before trouble is likely to arise, then teens should feel no more uncomfortable about taking a home drug test than parents do when they take them at work.

Showing mom and dad drug free results on a home drug test kit should be like showing off an A on a report card. It's not like a bond of trust is broken when a parent looks at a report card. It's basic parenting. which involves checking up and being involved.

If you want to know more about using home drug tests or picking out the best home drug test for your teen, or the steps to starting a home drug testing program, let me encourage you to do your homework and review program checklists, counselor approved strategies and free video tutorials that are available.