The Child Mind Institute has created this exceptional video addressing how and when to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol. Parents are generally pretty clear that the conversation must be had, but we can easily push it off out of fear, or because we really don’t have a clear script in mind and don’t know what to expect. Oftentimes, our parents did not have this conversation with us, and we have no role models in how to proceed. This video not only gives terrific talking points, but acknowledges how difficult it can be, and provides strategies for keeping the lines of communication open.
Some highlights from the (7 minute) video are:
Provides information on common mental health disorders in adolescence, tips on identifying substance misuse, and steps to making informed decisions about evaluation and treatment for co-occurring disorders.
Read MoreA primer on how to tackle substance abuse when you’re also dealing with depression, anxiety, or another mental health problem.
Read MoreRegardless of what parents choose when it comes to providing alcohol to their own adolescents, there are many good reasons not to serve alcohol to other people’s kids.
Read MoreNational Institute on Drug Abuse
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