Alcohol Awareness Month 2018

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and this year’s youth-focused theme is, “Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘rite of passage’”.  The goal is to identify and discourage unhealthy relationships with drugs and alcohol at an early age, limiting the lifetime impact of these chemicals.

While it’s tough to talk with your kid about drugs and alcohol, it’s well worth it. In fact, youths who have this conversation with their parents are 50% less likely to partake in harmful substances.

Here are a few quick tips for parents from American Addiction Centers:
Set your terms.
Plant the seed beforehand to avoid catching your child off-guard. Explain what you’d like to talk about and plan a time together.

Avoid accusations.
Start by asking questions. Coming from a place of inquisitiveness may make it less likely for teens to be defensive or lie.

Act early.
When surveyed, 62% of teens who drank alcohol reported having their first drink – and not just a sip! – before turning 15. So, it’s a good idea to talk to your kids around the ages of 12, 13 or 14.

Don’t use scare tactics.
Instead, focus on the positives. For example, avoiding substances may make it easier for teens to get into a good college or perform well in sports and extracurricular activities.

Source: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/5-tips-talking-teens-about-drugs-alcohol/