Our #1 suggestion for anyone looking to provide intervention around substance use, especially of a young person, is to ask "Why?"  Why are you choosing to use substances? Why are you needing something to alter your brain, alter your experiences of today, alter your perceptions of the world around you, alter yourself?  Parents often jump to "Who were you with?" "What did you use?", "Where did you get it?" and skip "Why?" entirely. 

  Be careful not to assume that you know the reasons. Be open to the possibility that things going on in their life that you aren't fully aware of, or understand.  Listen with an open mind, and accept their experience is their own. 

We strongly encourage you to talk with your loved one about why.