Preventing Teens from Using and Abusing Alcohol and DrugT

Although some people have a genetic predisposition to substance abuse, environmental factors are undoubtedly the stronger influencer towards or away from abuse and addiction.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Addiction (NIDA) some factors that protect a person from addiction include:

• Having involved parents and developing a strong attachment to these parents
• Growing up in a community that does not accept or support drug or alcohol abuse
• Doing well in school
• Learning behavioral self control as a young child (as opposed to relying on aggression)
• Learning effective social skills

While parents can never protect teens from temptation and exposure to drugs and alcohol, parents do have influence in the fight against drug or alcohol abuse.

Keeping Teens Drug and Alcohol Free:

• Maintain an involved interest and open dialogue with your teen children
• Do not model substance use practices unless you want them copied
• Support academic achievement and outside hobbies, sports and interests
• Provide a safe home and community environment that does not accept the use of drugs or the abuse of alcohol
• Talk to your children about drugs and alcohol and make the consequences of use known

Eating Dinner with Your Children

Parents that stay actively involved in the lives of their children do a lot to protect those kids from the dangers of drugs and alcohol – and according to Columbia University researchers, keeping kids safe from addiction is as easy as eating dinner together as a family, 5 or more times a week!¹