Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Discussing
Substance
Abuse:
Around
the
Table
Effective
Talking
about
substance
abuse
is
never
an
easy
conversation,
but
through
utilizing
certain
resources
The
Around
the
Table
initiative
is
based
on
18+
years
Communication
of
studies
by
the
National
Center
for
Addiction
and
and
taking
the
right
approach,
the
conversation
can
Substance
Abuse
at
Columbia
University,
which
Importance
of
Family
Communication:
be
facilitated.
found
a
link
between
the
frequency
of
family
dinners
and
positive
behaviors-‐lower
rates
of
teen
Building
a
strong
relationship
within
one’s
family
1.
Show
you
disapprove
of
underage
drinking
and
pregnancy,
depression,
higher
grade
point
averages
requires
effective
communication.
By
substance
abuse.
and
greater
self-‐esteem.
intentionally
working
to
create
an
open
2.
Show
you
care
about
your
child’s
happiness
and
atmosphere
that
invites
family
members
to
well-‐being.
Modeled
after
the
Family
Dinner
Project
and
communicate
with
one
another,
children
and
3.
Show
you
are
a
good
source
of
information
about
GoodWork
Project
at
Harvard
University,
Porter
adults
will
be
more
likely
to
discuss
what’s
on
alcohol
and
other
drugs.
County’s
Around
the
Table
will
offer
support
for
their
mind.
4.
Show
you
are
paying
attention
and
that
you
will
families
to
help
them
come
together
more
notice
if
your
child
is
using
alcohol
or
other
frequently
and
to
engage
in
more
meaningful
If
effective
communication
begins
when
children
substances.
conversations.
are
very
young,
those
children
will
be
more
likely
5.
Build
your
child’s
skills
for
avoiding
peer
pressure
to
open
up
to
parents
during
their
adolescent
to
engage
in
drinking,
substance
abuse
or
other
risky
Around
the
Table
creates
opportunities
to
years.
It
is
never
too
early
to
discuss
family
behaviors.
strengthen
relationships
at
home
by
providing
beliefs
and
values
and
to
set
family
goals
resources
that
foster
compassionate
dialogue
and
together.
resilient
relationships.
Tip
Children
should
feel
free
to
discuss
any
topic
or
Keep
it
low
k ey.
Don’t
worry;
you
won’t
have
ask
any
question
about
something
they
don’t
to
get
everything
a cross
in
one
conversation.
understand.
Adults,
in
turn,
should
provide
age
Many
small
talks
are
better.
appropriate
open
and
honest
answers
the
child’s
question.
For
a
more
complete
discussion
of
this
topic,
visit
Communication
Defined:
http://www.samsha.gov.
Go
to
“Talk
They
Listen”.
This
is
an
excellent
resource!
Family
members
should
talk
with
one
another.
They
should
share
good
news
with
each
other
For
more
information
about
becoming
involved,
Helpful
Resources:
as
well
as
discuss
things
that
are
bothering
contact
Kaye
Frataccia
at
219
242-‐3977
• www.casacolumbia.org
them.
Equally
as
important
as
talking
is
• www.pal.ua.edu
listening.
Listening
shows
respect.
It
shows
that
Visit
us
at
empowerpc.org
• www.advocatesforyouth.org
the
feelings
of
others
are
valuable
and
Or
follow
us
on
facebook.com/AroundTheTablePC
• www.thefamilydinnerproject.org
important.
No
questions
are
inappropriate
and
and
Twitter
(@EmpowerPC)
• www.healthychildren.org
no
opinions
are
disrespected.
• www.samhsa.gov
No
subject
should
be
considered
off
limits.