As a school counsellor doing tele-counselling with students and their parents, what can I tell a father who’s 16 year old son confesses to him that he needs a cigarette because he’s addicted. The son is getting sleepless nights in agitation as he’s unable to get his usual quota of cigarettes amid this lockdown.
1 Answers
- Educate the father about the addictive nature of tobacco and its withdrawal symptoms.
- Let the father acknowledge his son’s confession positively (“I am happy that you are discussing with me about your problem) and don’t antagonise the son.
- Accepting his son’s behaviour will make the son to listen to his father.
- Father should encourage his son to seek online help through tobacco quitline at NIMHANS through toll free number 1800112356
- If situation is unmanageable, with the help of neighbours or friends, father can bring the son to Emergency services at NIMHANS to treat him for tobacco withdrawal.
- The father and family members should continue to be supportive to the boy.
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