Parents Play Significant Role in Preventing Alcohol/Drug Abuse in Kids

Home > Parents Play Significant Role in Preventing Alcohol/Drug Abuse in Kids

It may come as little surprise to some that parents have a big influence in whether their kids use marijuana and alcohol.  Addiction has frequently been called a family disease, since one family member’s addiction can negatively affect the family as a whole.

 

New evidence of the role parents play in whether kids use drugs or alcohol has emerged among researchers from North Carolina State University, Brigham Young University and Pennsylvania State University.  Their research has found that parental involvement in kids’ lives is even more important than school programs aimed at addressing alcohol and marijuana use, according to a recently released paper.

 

Evaluating data from more than 10,000 students as well as the students’ parents, teachers and school administrators, the researchers studied how “family social capital” (bonds, trust and communication between parents and children) and “school social capital” (a school’s capacity to serve as a positive, educational environment for children) affected the likelihood and frequency of marijuana and/or alcohol use in children.

 

Evaluating marijuana and alcohol use separately, the researchers found that students with positive family relationships but low levels of school social capital were less likely to use alcohol or marijuana, or used them less frequently than students with high levels of school social capital but low levels of family social capital.

 

Co-author of the paper and sociology professor at NC State said, “To be clear, school programs that address alcohol and marijuana use are definitely valuable, but the bonds parents form with their children are more important.  Ideally, we can have both.”

 

Northbound Treatment Services believes that every person battling a substance abuse addiction, regardless of their personal and family history, deserves the freedom of sobriety.  The rehab treatment center specializes in dual diagnosis and provides many different proven forms of therapy, including 12-step and experiential therapies, to help those suffering from an addiction.  Visit our treatment options page for more information about our services.

Request a Confidential Callback

One of the caring treatment coordinators at our Southern California drug rehab centers will contact you shortly and walk you through the process of finding the best treatment options that meet your needs.

Written by: Ryan Snodgrass, LMFT, LPCC

— Reviewed by: Paul Alexander, CEO

Blog Categories

Are you or a loved one struggling with drug or alcohol addiction? Call our 24-hour confidential helpline to speak with a recovery expert. 

About

Locations

Services

Contact

Regardless of your situation, we will help you in finding your own personalized treatment solutions – whether that’s our program or another – at no cost or obligation to you. Get started and change your life with the simple click of a button.

We are unable at this time to accept Medicare or Medicaid plans. We do offer affordable self-pay and financing options, so reach out and get started on your journey to lasting recovery.