Ages 9–18

Jessica Lahey

Author | Educator | Addiction Prevention Expert

Independence Hard Choices Boundaries Peer Pressure Trust Vaping Alcohol Party Safety Rule Breaking Teenage Defiance Substance Prevention Natural Consequences Risk Taking Rebellion Letting Them Fail Helicoptering Teen Drinking Weed Sneaking Out Unsupervised Parties Dating Rules New Drivers Teen Jobs

Why we partnered with Jessica

As kids enter their preteen and teen years, the stakes get significantly higher. Jessica brings a profoundly practical, science-backed approach to the hardest parenting conversations—like drugs, alcohol, and failure—helping parents build a culture of honesty and resilience rather than fear and secrecy.

About Jessica

Jessica Lahey helps parents protect kids from addiction by fostering autonomy, connection, and trust. In The Addiction Inoculation, she blends science, personal experience, and practical strategies to reduce risk and support open, shame-free communication about drugs and alcohol. Her work empowers families and schools to raise healthy, self-aware young people capable of good decisions and self-control.

What Jessica Helps With

Evidence-based strategies to prevent addiction and risky behavior
Building trust and communication between parents and kids
Setting boundaries and modeling healthy behavior
Supporting families and educators on substance prevention

Credentials

Author of The Addiction Inoculation and The Gift of Failure
Educator and columnist for The New York Times; contributor to The Atlantic and Vermont Public
National speaker on addiction prevention, motivation, and autonomy
Recipient: 2023 Media Award, Research Society on Alcoholism
J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law

Books

The Addiction Inoculation : Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence (2021)

The Gift of Failure : How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed (2015)

Speaking & Requests

Jessica offers keynotes, workshops, and school talks about substance prevention, autonomy, and resilience in families.

Learn more about speaking engagements →