“Life Skills” is a term we hear often and sometimes question, “What does it mean?” The two words imply skills one would learn to help navigate more effectively through life. When young people starting using and abusing alcohol and drugs, they frequently miss out on some of life’s most important lessons. It is generally believed within the addiction recovery field and 12 Step community that early substance abuse stunts emotional maturity. When chemical dependency and addiction take the center stage, parents, educators, mentors and other significant role models lose their authority and ability to influence in positive, nurturing ways.