In Virginia, teen drug use isn’t some distant statistic, it’s here, and it’s part of daily life. Nearly one in five teens in the state reports smoking marijuana within the past month, and Chesterfield County is no exception. What’s more troubling is how casual it’s all become. As a teenager myself, I see it every day: friends joking about coke in the bathroom, classmates scrolling Snapchat to score, people shrugging off drug use like it’s no big deal.

Recovery doesn’t happen in a straight line. You don’t wake up one morning and feel whole—you show up, again and again. It’s not about chasing perfection; it’s about building enough scaffolding around your days so the ground doesn’t cave in when you wobble. And you will wobble. Life after addiction isn’t just about surviving without substances—it’s about discovering who you are when you’re not trying to escape yourself.

This guide brings together trusted tools, tips, and support to help parents navigate this critical part of raising healthy, informed, and resilient young people.

The last 20 years in the United States have seen an influx of deaths related to opioids. The epidemic was prompted by the over-prescription of opioids to treat pain, but has evolved in recent years, with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids as the main driver of overdoses.

You are not alone. There are many community resources that can provide help if you, your family member or a friend is struggling with substance misuse.

61% of people ages 12 and older who misuse prescription pain relievers get them from a friend or family member. Keep your loved ones safe by securing your current medications and disposing of unused medications.

Thank you for Stas Novitsky for this list. From VCAM (Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine) in Henrico County, a clinic designed to offer comprehensive addiction treatment including outpatient services.