FAMILY TALK ABOUT DRINKING

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FAMILY TALK ABOUT DRINKING

• STOP UNDEAGE DRINKING BEFORE IT STARTS.
• Presented by Courtney Frye Canario, MSW, LCSW
• Sally Lockhart, MSW, LICSW

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• About the presenters
• When is it most effective to talk to children
  about drinking and drugs?
• Becoming a good role model for our kids.
• Creating the appropriate setting for the
  conversation.
• Style and guidelines to an effective talk
• Family togetherness.
• Discussing peer pressure.
• Where to find professional help.

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ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

• Courtney Frye Canario
• Bachelors in Psychology From Stonehill College
• Master of Social Work From RIC
• LCSW
• History of work
• Student Assistance Services (SAS)

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About the presenters

• Sally Lockhart

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Pharmacology of alcohol Brain Chemistry and ETOH

• Glutamate- one of the NT effected by ETOH
  contained in most body cells and brain cells.
• Increases anxiety, insomnia, seizures, memory
  enhancement
• Decreases anti-anxiety, and anticonvulsive
  properties. (why people report feeling relaxed at
  parties when drinking)
• Alcohol Potent inhibitor of Glutamate receptors
  in brain.

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Pharmacology of alcohol Brain Chemistry and ETOH

• Enhancement of GABA receptors
• Gaba NT found in almost every cell in body.
• Sedation, muscle relaxation, inhibition of
  cognition motor skills
• Self medication with anxiety, depression, mood
  disorders.
• Chronic use compensatory up-regulation,
  explosion of NT
• Theory is that the NT interactions trigger of
  the Dopamine reward Center feel good
  reinforcement.

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Physiological Effects of ETOH

• Dilates blood vessels in the skin (red face and
  decreased body temp)
• Diseases of the heart
• Low Doses Lowers risk of Stroke (ex. 1 glass
  of red wine)
• High Doses Increases risk of stroke
• Increase risk of various cancers and liver
  disease
• Vitamin and nutritional deficiency

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Physiological Effects of ETOH

• When mixed with a depressant increased
  depression
• Setting may determine mood/effect at low dose
• Increased doses decreased memory, decreased
  concentration, decreased insight
• ETOH plays major role in criminal behavior
• Long term use can lead to neurological, mental
  and physical consequences

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Basic Guidelines

• The goal of this presentation is to identify
  basic guidelines to assist parents in talking
  with their children about drinking.
• Provide specific examples and help parents
  identify the important facts to share with kids.
• Identify community resources for further
  assistance.

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Start Early

• The prime age to initiate conversation with
  children about drinking is between 9-11 yrs of
  age.
• Old enough to understand complex concepts.
• Still young enough to listen to adult input and
  advice.
• It is important to remain open and available to
  talk about it more than once.

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Set a good example

• Be a good role model.
• Alcohol and family or social functions
• Back up your words with your actions.
• Practice what you teach your children through
  demonstrating by example.

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Be FactualCalmly, Caringly, Convincingly.

• Learn the facts and use them!
• Avoid scare tactics and lecture style
  conversations.
• It is important to stay calm and show that you
  care.
• Listen to their perspective.
• Encourage questions.

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Set Firm Rules and Guidelines

• Clearly outline fair, firm and consistent rules.
• Have specific and appropriate consequences that
  fit the appropriate actions.
• It is important to stick to these rules and
  consequences to let your children know where you
  stand.

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Practice Family Togetherness

• Stay interested in your childs daily activities
  both socially and in school.
• Stay involved as much as possible.
• Recognize your childs worth.
• Reward and praise them for positive behaviors
  and good decisions.
• Make time to do things as a family.

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Know Your Childrens Friends and their Families

• Take the time to get to know your childrens
  friends and their parents and families.
• Have open and positive communication with your
  childrens friends and families.

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Educate Your Children About Peer Pressure

• Let them know what peer pressure is.
• Implied vs traditional
• Teach them the meaning of true friendship.
• Help them recognize that they dont have to do
  what others are doing if it does not benefit
  them.
• Help them to be assertive through building self
  esteem and confidence, so they can stand up for
  themselves.

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Get Professional Advice or Help Promptly

• If you feel your child is having difficulties
  know where to seek professional advice.
• The sooner you seek advice/ help for serious
  difficulties, the higher likelihood that it will
  be successful.

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COMMUNITY RESOUCES

• School Resources
• Student Assistance Counselor (middle and High
  school)
• School Social Worker
• School psychologist

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Look for a Learning Moment

• Try to avoid lecturing
• Look for an opportunity that relates to the
  topic, for example a school assignment, a movie,
  media advertisement, or life experience.

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Remember Not All Parents and Children are Alike

• Children take cues from their parents.
• They rely on parents as their largest influence.
• Practice responsible drinking.
• If you do drink, dont place too much emphasis on
  it.

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Guidelines When Confronted

• Address the question directly.
• Learn the facts about the effect on emotion and
  judgment.
• Reiterate that abuse of any product can be
  dangerous.
• Every adult needs to make the distinction between
  adult alcohol use and illegal drug use.
• Always offer future conversations and remain open
  to questions.
• Listen to their perspective.

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What if I Discover my Child Experimenting with
Alcohol?

• Remain calm.
• Determine the amount they drank and what they
  drank.
• Observe carefully and make sure there are no
  after effects.
• Make sure the child is ok.
• Wait to discuss the situation at a more
  appropriate time.
• Make sure you are firm. A rule has been broken,
  and rules are to keep them safe!
• There must be consequences appropriate to the
  specific rule broken.

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How to help your Child Understand Peer Pressure

• Understand that all kids want to be liked and
  accepted.
• Teach the true meaning of friendship.
• Encourage them to recognize that they do not have
  to do what others do when it does not benefit
  them.
• Spend more time getting to know your childrens
  friends.
• Teach your children to be assertive through
  building self esteem and confidence.
• Help them learn how to stand up for themselves.

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Kids expect parents to practice what they
preach

• Parents are primary role models.
• Studies indicate that parental example is a major
  influence on whether a child chooses to
  experiment with drugs or alcohol.
• When we tell children something our subsequent
  actions must back up our words.
• Children are keen observers of parents behavior.