Delaying the first drink can make a huge difference for a child’s brain development, as well as with their avoiding a lifelong problem with alcoholism. Why? Because early use is one of the five key risk factors for developing the chronic, often relapsing brain disease of addiction (whether that be an addiction to drugs or alcohol).

I want to draw your attention to an important resource for parents or anyone in a position to influence a child’s decision to drink. It’s a PDF book, “Delaying That First Drink: A Parent’s Guide,” written by Aimee L. Stern and published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Ms. Stern covers a great deal, including the new brain research – especially as it relates to brain development;  the science about alcohol and how it affects the brain and body; and suggestions for talking to young people, including how to use this science in your conversations.

To give you an idea of what you will find, here is an excerpt about the brain changes that occur in the adolescent brain:

While researchers once chalked up emotional and behavioral changes to the unknown world of raising a teenager, they now know much of what was considered teen angst comes from hormones and brain changes. The adolescent brain is different than that of an adult. Its prefrontal cortex – right behind the forehead and the part that processes memory, complex thinking, planning, and inhibition – is not yet fully developed and has difficulty processing all the development taking place.Compare the neurons inside the teen brain to the inside of a kaleidoscope.Masses of neurons are moving and shifting patterns, changing their connections, and causing mood swings and confusion.Welcome to forgetful, disorganized, self-absorbed, upset, frustrated,yelling, and much more. That’s on a good day. (p. 4)

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Lisa Frederiksen

Author | Speaker | Consultant | Founder at BreakingTheCycles.com

Lisa Frederiksen is the author of hundreds of articles and 12 books, including her latest, "10th Anniversary Edition If You Loved Me, You'd Stop! What you really need to know when your loved one drinks too much,” and "Loved One In Treatment? Now What!” She is a national keynote speaker with over 30 years speaking experience, consultant and founder of BreakingTheCycles.com. Lisa has spent the last 19+ years studying and simplifying breakthrough research on the brain, substance use and other mental health disorders, secondhand drinking, toxic stress, trauma/ACEs and related topics.

Latest posts by Lisa Frederiksen (see all)

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