If you find yourself or your friends drinking excessively, be aware that this is likely to have a profound effect on your child’s future relationship with alcohol and your relationship with your child. If your drinking is causing problems in your relationships with your children or your spouse, you are strongly encouraged to seek a professional evaluation to assess not only your risk for problem drinking, but also your child’s risk for problem drinking in the future, often fueled by the chronic emotional stress of living with a parent with a drinking problem. You may want to sit down and read the Kit for Kids or make a selection from the Children’s Book List, and then discuss the messages. It may not only reduce the confusion and anxiety your child is feeling, but some of your own as well.
Concerned Parents
With help, these kids and teens can go from children at risk to children of promise.
Alcohol is Still the Number One Drug of Choice in This Country.
Modern culture often encourages drinking behavior that is unmanageable and dangerous. So-called humor often involves humiliation or harm to individuals while they or their companions are drinking. Sexual behavior often becomes out of control and sometimes violent. Alcohol is a powerful drug and is not legal or appropriate for young and immature people. Sometimes it’s hard to determine whether your child’s behavior is due to normal developmental crises or if their behavior could indicate a problem with alcohol or other drugs.
Children want to love their parents. They also need to know they did not cause the addiction and it is never their fault.
– Stephanie Abbott, MA, family counselor
Alcohol Problems Tend to Run in Families.
If alcohol use is hurting your family, talk honestly about it. Emphasize the impact it can have on brain development for those under the age of 21. Parents can be the best resource for their families. Stay Informed. Be Open. Talk Often.
Preventing alcohol and other drug use begins at birth
Nurturing Your Child
Teaching Your Child
Setting Limits with Your Child
Family Resources
Talking with your kids about alcohol use, drug use, and addiction can be difficult for any parent. For recovering parents, conversations with your children or teens about drug use and abuse are even more complex, urgent, and personal. Here are some great resources to help your family start the conversation.
