The majority of adults who develop substance abuse disorders had their first drink during adolescence. If we can help kids delay substance use, they will be less likely to struggle with substance abuse.
In her new book “The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence,” Jessica Lahey translates the research around addiction and explores practical ways parents and educators can use this information to support kids.
Among her many findings is this: our kids need practical refusal skills — simple scripts and mental models they can draw on when they encounter peer pressure. After all, one of the strongest predictors of substance use in teens is peer use. In other words, if your child is around kids who drink and do drugs, they are more likely to drink and do drugs. And since you probably won’t be there at the moment they are first offered a drink, we need to equip them with strategies in advance.
Here are 10 (of the many) concrete ideas Lahey shares in her book.
TIPS FOR HELPING KIDS RESIST PEER PRESSURE
- “No, Thanks” is an underrated and effective answer. Most of the time, people don’t really care why you do or do not do something. They just move on. “I tend to forget this and get all flustered,” says Lahey, “thinking I need an elaborate excuse when this often works beautifully.”
- No, Everybody Isn’t Doing It. Our kids “wildly overestimate” the rates of risky behaviors in their peers, says Lahey. And when they believe lots of people are drinking and using drugs, they are more likely to do so themselves. Simply giving kids accurate information and correcting their misperceptions can be protective.
- Volunteer to Be the Designated Driver. Your friends won’t be mad at you for not drinking, says Lahey. Instead, they will be thrilled they have a sober ride home!
- Have a Secret Word Or Text. Decide in advance a word or emoji that they can use with friends or parents to indicate they want to leave and/or need a ride home.
- Tell People You are Allergic to Alcohol. Lahey writes, “Intolerance to alcohol s a real thing, and it’s due to a genetic condition. Some people can’t break the alcohol down in their body,…
