Alcohol
If your child’s behavior seems different—like vague plans, irritability when asked questions, or changes when they come home—it may signal more than typical stress. Trust your instincts, ask questions, and keep the lines of communication open. Clear boundaries, consistent monitoring, and honest conversations can help prevent underage drinking.
A strong relationship with you is one of the biggest protective factors. Talk to your child about alcohol and drugs before they’re exposed, and remind them that your concern is about their health and safety.
Tips for effective communication:
- Be clear: Over 80% of kids say parents influence their decision to drink. Share your disapproval of underage drinking.
- Show you care: Reinforce that your priority is their happiness and safety.
- Be a trusted source: Provide accurate information so they don’t rely on peers or unreliable sources.
- Stay aware: Pay attention to their actions—kids take fewer risks when they know someone is watching.
- Build skills: Teach refusal strategies and practice ways to say “no.”
Remember, it’s not one big talk but many small conversations that matter.
Supporting Children When a Parent Struggles with Alcohol Use
This handout covers body image, how media shapes it, and ways to support kids in recognizing unrealistic standards.
Communicating with Your Child: When You Suspect Substance Use
Talking about possible substance use can feel overwhelming, but open communication is one of the strongest tools you have. This guide offers tips to help you approach the conversation with calm, empathy, and confidence—building trust and taking the next steps together.
Reducing Your Child’s Risk for Substance Use: Tips for Parents
Provides parents with tips on how to reduce their children risk for substance use.
Reducing Youth Access to Alcohol
Parents play a critical role in whether their children choose to drink alcohol underage. This flyer highlights strategies for reducing youth access to alcohol and the different underage drinking laws for adults.
Starting the School Year: Reducing the Risk of Underage Drinking
Times of transition, like a new school year, can increase the risk of underage drinking or drug use. This handout offers tips to help parents reduce stress and prepare kids to handle challenges safely.
Supporting Your Loved One in Treatment
Substance abuse affects the whole family, not just the individual who is addicted.
Youth Substance Use: Signs and Symptoms
A Parents Lead handout of signs and symptoms for Youth Substance Use.
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Quick Facts
SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent alcohol and drug misuse. Through community-based screenings, SBIRT helps detect risky behaviors early, provides brief interventions, and connects individuals to treatment when needed.
Recovery
Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
Recovery Housing
Also known as sober living, recovery housing is a recovery-oriented supportive living environment for individuals wanting to initiate and sustain recovery.
Supporting Recovery
Recovery is a reality in the lives of thousands of individuals & families in North Dakota and yet the stigma of addiction continues to be a barrier for those seeking help.
Mental Health Program Directory
The Mental Health Program Directory provides a single place for North Dakota citizens to search for mental health services that meet their needs. This registry allows users to: Search by location and other details View program information, including program name, address, and phone number.
Public Behavioral Health Clinics
North Dakota's Health and Human Services agency operates eight regional human service centers that provide behavioral health services to North Dakotans. Each center serves a designated multi-county area.
Minor in Possession (MIP) Education Program
Early intervention is an important piece of the behavioral health continuum of care and helps to reduce the risk of harmful behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. Research shows that individuals who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely than individuals who start drinking at the age of 21 to meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives.