Discussing substance use prevention with your teen can be tricky for many parents. Let's start with the basics:
Start early.
Many parents would be surprised to know that children can begin forming attitudes and beliefs about drugs and alcohol as early as the age of 9 per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Your kids want to know the truth. Have the facts.
Be prepared to discuss the dangers of alcohol and the mental, emotional, and physical consequences alcohol can have on the developing body of youth. Tweens and middle school aged children want to fit in with their peers- prepare them to avoid alcohol. (kidshealth.org)
Talk clearly and honestly. Listen up!
You are your child's lead example and influence. Help your child understand the truth about alcohol risk and listen openly to their questions. The goal is to create an open channel of communication, so your child feels safe coming to you for guidance at any time. (Have Open Conversations)
Need some tips on how to have those tough conversations?
Click here for South Carolina's Open Conversations campaign.
The following resources will be updated regularly, so check back often!
Download a Guide to Talking to Your Child About Alcohol
Download the Guide in Spanish
Download 5 Conversation Goals for Talking to Your Kids About Alcohol and Other Drugs
Download Tips for Talking to Your Kids About Impaired Driving
Download Family Agreement on Avoiding Alcohol
Download the Agreement in Spanish
Download the “What Are You Prepared to Lose?” Brochure
Underage Resources Shared from NIAAA
Alcohol and the Adolescent Brain | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
Alcohol Interventions for Young Adults | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About Alcohol - Parents | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
Parenting To Prevent Childhood Alcohol Use | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
Get the Facts About Underage Drinking | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
NIAAA for Middle School | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
Teen Drinking | NIAAA (nih.gov)
Underage Drinking - Details - Kahoot!
College Resources Shared from NIAAA
A graphic breaking down the dangers of alcohol one organ and/or system.
Alcohol's Effects on the Body | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
Provides an introduction data on alcohol and emerging adults
Alcohol and Young Adults Ages 18 to 25 | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
An extremely helpful compilation of institutes of higher education and their alcohol policies (or you can see if they don’t have any policies)
College Alcohol Policies | College Drinking Prevention
Educators, administrators, and families can find helpful information to ease first year students through the first 6 weeks of school (when experimentation will most likely happen)
College Drinking Prevention
An easy-to-use and comprehensive booklet and website for educators and administrators to help schools identify effective alcohol interventions.
CollegeAIM NIAAA's Alcohol Intervention Matrix | College Drinking Prevention