Get the Caregiver’s Guide to Shatterproof Families
This quick-read guide helps you stay connected and informed with signs to watch for, prevention tips, and scripts to spark honest conversations about alcohol and other drugs.
Adolescence is one of the most critical times to start open and honest conversations about substance use. Research shows:
- 9 out of 10 adults with a substance use disorder began using before age 18 (National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse).
- Teens who start drinking before age 15 are 4x more likely to develop alcohol dependence later in life (CDC).
- The brain continues developing until about age 25 — early substance use disrupts healthy brain growth and increases long-term risks (NIDA).
This guide gives you simple facts, signs to watch for, and conversation tips that build trust instead of fear. Even as your child becomes more independent, your voice is still one of the strongest tools to help safeguard their health and future.
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