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.
Author
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Paul Alexander is the CEO, President & Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. He believes wholeheartedly in transformational leadership, organizational health and effective, fully integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Paul has extensive knowledge of “in vivo” treatment modalities, clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing and financial planning. He has been widely recognized for his development of collegiate-based residential treatment programs for students in recovery and authored a research study at The University of California confirming this modality’s effectiveness.
Paul’s comprehensive professional experience, willingness to innovate, and emphasis on organizational health are vital factors in Northbound’s continued success. Paul received his Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist training at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, and was awarded Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2002. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Summa Cum Laude, from University of California, Irvine, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Paul currently serves on The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) board. In addition, he serves on The Family Recovery Foundation board and The CarePossible board in Orange County; both organizations are committed to raising funds for family recovery and treatment for former military personnel. Paul is in recovery himself and lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and his two young sons, Noah and Dean.
