Researchers tested a program called SUPPER that encourages families to eat meals together and use that time to talk about substance use. The study involved 388 families with kids around 12 years old. Parents who participated in the program reported having more conversations with their children about drugs and alcohol, and they were better at discussing important topics like how to handle peer pressure. The effects were strongest in the first few months, with some benefits lasting up to 18 months. This suggests that family meals can be a natural and effective way for parents to help protect their kids from substance use.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does a program that encourages family meals help parents talk more with their kids about drugs and alcohol?
  • Who participated: 388 families with children averaging 12 years old. Most parents were mothers (88%), average age 43. About 55% of children and 61% of parents were White, with diverse representation from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Key finding: Parents in the SUPPER program reported talking more frequently with their kids about all substances at 3 months, and these conversations continued at lower levels through 18 months. Parents also reported better discussions about specific topics like how to say no to drugs.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a parent, making family meals a regular habit and using that time to chat about drugs and alcohol may help your kids understand your expectations and how to stay safe. This is a low-cost, natural way to have important conversations without it feeling forced or awkward.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers randomly assigned families to two groups: one group received the SUPPER program (focused on family meals and substance use conversations), while the other group received information about physical activity, nutrition, and healthy weight (the control group). Both groups completed the same activities: parents read a handbook, met twice with a counselor, and received text messages over 18 months. The key difference was the topic of focus.

Parents and children were asked to report on how often they talked about substances and whether they discussed specific topics like how to handle peer pressure and family rules about drugs and alcohol. Researchers collected this information at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after the study started.

The researchers also looked at whether the program worked differently depending on the child’s grade level, race/ethnicity, or whether sessions were done in person or online. This helps understand if the program is equally helpful for all families.

This research approach is important because it tests whether a real-world, practical intervention actually works. Rather than just studying whether family meals are good in general, researchers tested a specific program that families could actually use. By comparing it to a control group that received different information, they could see if the substance use focus specifically led to more conversations, not just the family meal time itself.

This study has several strengths: it used random assignment (which reduces bias), followed families for 18 months (long enough to see if effects last), and included diverse families. However, the study relied on parents and children reporting their own conversations, which can be affected by memory or what people think they should say. The study was also mostly female parents (88%), so results may not fully apply to families with male primary caregivers. Additionally, the control group received information about other health topics, so we can’t be completely sure if the benefits came from the substance use focus or just from having family conversations in general.

What the Results Show

At 3 months, parents in the SUPPER program reported significantly more frequent conversations with their children about all types of substances compared to the control group. Parents also reported better discussions about nine out of ten specific topics, such as how to handle offers to use drugs, family rules about substances, and the dangers of different drugs. However, when children were asked about these same conversations, they reported fewer differences between the two groups, suggesting parents may have noticed the increased conversations more than kids did.

The benefits continued at 6 and 12 months, though they were somewhat smaller. By 18 months, the most notable remaining effect was that parents reported more frequent conversations specifically about alcohol. Parents and children also reported some continued improvements in discussing specific topics about alcohol use.

Interestingly, the program worked similarly well regardless of the child’s grade level, race/ethnicity, or whether families met in person or online. This suggests the SUPPER approach may be helpful for many different types of families.

The study found that the program’s effects were strongest right after the intervention (at 3 months) and gradually decreased over time. This is common in prevention programs and suggests that families might benefit from occasional reminders or follow-up sessions to maintain the conversation habits. The fact that alcohol conversations remained strong at 18 months suggests that parents may have found this topic particularly important to discuss with their kids.

Previous research has shown that parent-child communication about substance use is protective—kids whose parents talk to them about drugs and alcohol are less likely to use them. This study adds to that knowledge by showing that a practical, brief program focused on family meals can actually increase these conversations. The SUPPER program is unique because it uses something families already do (eating together) as the vehicle for these important talks, rather than requiring special counseling sessions.

Several limitations should be considered: First, the study only measured whether conversations happened, not whether kids actually changed their behavior or attitudes about substance use. Second, parents reported more improvements than children did, which could mean parents overestimated the impact or children didn’t notice the changes as much. Third, most participants were mothers, so we don’t know if the program works as well when fathers are the primary caregiver. Fourth, the study didn’t follow children long enough to see if these conversations actually prevented substance use. Finally, families who volunteered for the study may have been more motivated to talk about these topics than the general population.

The Bottom Line

For parents: Consider making family meals a regular habit and use that time to have casual conversations about drugs and alcohol. You don’t need to have one big serious talk—regular, smaller conversations seem to work better. Start with questions about what your child has heard at school or from friends, and share your family’s values about substance use. Confidence level: Moderate (this program showed benefits, but we need more research to confirm it prevents actual substance use).

This research is most relevant for parents of pre-teens and early teens (ages 10-14) who want to start conversations about substance use before peer pressure becomes stronger. It’s also helpful for anyone designing school or community prevention programs. However, if your family already has regular meals together and talks openly about these topics, you may already be getting these benefits. The program may be less relevant for families dealing with active substance use issues, which require more intensive treatment.

Based on this study, you might notice increased conversations within 3 months of starting regular family meals with a focus on substance use topics. However, maintaining these conversations requires ongoing effort—the benefits decreased somewhat after 6-12 months. Think of this as a habit to build and maintain, not a one-time intervention. You likely won’t see behavioral changes in your child for many months or years, but the goal is to build a foundation of communication and trust.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the frequency of family meals per week and note which meals included conversations about substance use topics. For example: ‘Had family dinner 5 times this week, discussed peer pressure on 2 occasions, discussed alcohol on 1 occasion.’ This creates a simple weekly log that shows progress over time.
  • Set a goal to have family meals together at least 3-4 times per week, and use a reminder in the app to prepare one conversation starter about substance use before each meal. Examples: ‘What did you hear about vaping at school?’ or ‘Do you know what to say if someone offers you something?’ The app could provide age-appropriate conversation starters based on your child’s grade level.
  • Use the app to track meal frequency and conversation topics monthly. Create a dashboard showing: (1) number of family meals per week, (2) number of substance-related conversations per month, (3) topics covered (peer pressure, family rules, specific substances, etc.). This helps families see their progress and identify which topics they haven’t discussed yet, prompting more balanced conversations.

This research shows that a family meal-based program can increase conversations about substance use, but it does not prove that these conversations prevent drug or alcohol use in teenagers. The study measured communication frequency, not actual behavior change or substance use outcomes. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s substance use or mental health, consult with a healthcare provider, school counselor, or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) for free, confidential support. Results may vary based on individual family circumstances, and this program works best as part of a comprehensive approach to adolescent health that may include school programs, peer influences, and professional support when needed.