Family Dinners Cut Teen Substance Use

Family dinners offer a powerful, accessible tool to help prevent adolescent substance use, according to new research published today. Adolescents who regularly shared meals with their families showed a reduced risk of using alcohol, vaping, or marijuana. Specifically, quality family meal times were associated with a 22% to 34% decrease in the likelihood of substance use.

The study highlights that the benefits stem from the relationship-building interactions during meals, not just the act of eating together. Open communication and parental oversight cultivated during these times can support positive outcomes. However, the research also points out that teens who have experienced multiple adverse childhood events, such as divorce or violence, may not benefit as significantly from family meals.

For adolescents with a history of trauma, more targeted interventions and specialized family engagement approaches may be necessary. Researchers suggest future studies explore other family routines that could benefit these vulnerable teens, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed support alongside traditional methods.