How to Help Your Kids Say No To Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol can make good people do bad things but it doesn't necessarily make the alcoholic a bad person. They are sick. Although this defense is controversial, the medical community has finally recognized alcoholism as a primary, chronic, progressive and sometimes fatal disease. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence offers a detailed and complete definition of alcoholism and describes it is "a mental obsession that causes a physical compulsion to drink." Read on to learn more.

Instructions

How To Help Your Kids Say No To Alcohol and Drugs

• 1

  It has been established that heredity plays a key role in who becomes
  addicted and who does not. And if you have alcoholism or addiction on
  both sides of the family you have to be extra aware that you run a high
  chance of carrying the addiction gene.

• 2

  How can you teach your children the dark truth about addiction and
  alcohol when they see it as only "getting high" or "partying"? By
  telling them and showing them the harsh realities of the disease and
  teaching them the heredity factor. Then they are free to choose whether
  to wake up the monster or not. As long as they don't pick up that first
  drug or drink they are safe.

• 3

  Teach your children the medical aspect of drinking and using drugs. It
  takes the focus off of you being the buzz kill parent who is just
  preaching the expected do's and don't's of the teen years. Describe
  detox and withdraw symptoms too. Don't just say, "Don't use drugs or
  drink." Give them details about the reality of addiction and
  alcoholism. Use friends or relatives as examples if you need to.

• 4

  Do not be a hypocrite. You can not tell your teen to not drink while
  you have your wine glass in hand. Walk the talk and live by example.
  Even if you experimented as a youth be honest with your kids. And if
  you had your own trouble with booze and drugs, don't be ashamed or
  think it will give your teen a chance to say, "you did it so can I."
  They may say that but be sure they know what kind of trouble it caused
  you. Your own mistakes can be the best learning tool to pass on that
  you've got.

• 5

  Have strong household rules for coming home intoxicated and be prepared
  to live up to the consequences you set as punishment. If you falter
  once and let it go, you will loose much ground in credibility.