How Do You Talk With Kids About Drugs & Alcohol?
According to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, more than 28 million Americans are children of alcoholics, and nearly 11 million of those are under the age of 18. Whether someone in your home has issues with substance abuse or you simply want to guide your children, one of the most important things you can do is to speak with them about substance abuse and addiction honestly, on a level they can understand. Determine when you want to talk to your child about substance abuse and addiction. There isn’t a set age, so long as your child is capable of understanding such concepts. The ideal time is five years of age. It’s never too early to start. Prepare your material ahead of time, according to the age of your child and the concepts you feel he or she can grasp. For more detailed, graphic discussions, consider waiting until your child is at least ten. Be honest. Don’t try to sugarcoat the severity of the effects drug abuse can have on not only the abuser, but the family a
