Did you know that the #1 reason kids give for not drinking or using substances is that they don’t want to disappoint their parents?1 It’s true. Children who learn about the risks of substance use and about their parents’ expectations around substance use are significantly less likely to start using substances.
Drug and alcohol use are tricky topics to discuss with your children, but they are necessary. Even if your children don’t seem engaged or like they want to listen, have faith that they do hear you.
Alternatively, not talking to your kids about alcohol and other substances also sends kids a message, just not the one you want. Kids don’t always have all the facts when it comes to substance use, and if you don’t talk about the ever-present risks involved, it’s likely that your child just won’t know.
Below, we talk about some strategies that you may want to adopt while talking to your child. Whether they’re little, preteens, or teenagers, we’ve got you covered. Take a look if you have:
Sources:
1 – SAMHSA.gov