More aboutThe interview

In this interview, Jess Lahey discusses:

Her personal story that led to her writing The Addiction Inoculation
Who gets addicted and why
Risk factors (many are not what you'd think -- it's not "someone else's" problem)
What a family's approach to discussing (or not discussing) drugs and alcohol have to do with it
For parents of little kids, what we should do NOW to help protect our kids from future addictions
What adverse experiences, toxic stress, and trauma have to do with addiction
Guidance for caregivers of middle schoolers
The importance of understanding the adolescent brain
Effective protective factors, at any age, against addiction
What we should look for -- how to tell if there IS a problem
The influence of our children's friends

“Put the bulk of your effort toward the relationship, not the surveillance. When a parent and child have a warm, mutually respectful relationship, the child is more likely to perceive monitoring as coming from a place of warmth and respect rather than control and manipulation.” - Jess Lahey

More aboutJessica Lahey

Jessica Lahey is a teacher, writer, and mom. Over twenty years, she’s taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Atlantic, Vermont Public Radio, The Washington Post and the New York Times and is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. She is a member of the Amazon Studios Thought Leader Board and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ The Stinky and Dirty Show. Jessica earned a B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts and a J.D. with a concentration in juvenile and education law from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She lives in Vermont with her husband and two sons. Her second book, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence, will be released in April 2021.

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I am not a physician, psychologist, or counselor, nor am I licensed to offer therapy or medical advice of any kind. I am a certified conscious parenting coach and my courses, blog posts, and all other guidance are based on my training and experience. If you are having an emergency or are in crisis please call 911, or the National Suicide Prevention Line (800-273-8255), or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.