Parents who are concerned about keeping their child off drugs have a big challenge ahead of them. With all the new names and types of drugs, parents may find all the information overwhelming, but with a little help, parents can eventually navigate through the details they need to know.

Denying a Problem

Ignorance is bliss, according to some people. Many parents take a hands off -”what we don’t know won’t hurt us” – approach to parenting, especially when it comes to teens and drugs. They feel that it is best if they don’t make a big deal of things. They believe all kids are going to experiment with drugs at least once, so the best thing to do is let kids be kids and get it out of their system.

Talk To Your Teen

Studies show, however, that parents who do not talk to their kids about drugs or who are accepting of their child’s drug experimentation end up with kids who do drugs – often in a dangerous way. Parents who talk to their kids, however, about the dangers of drugs are the voice that often influences the child so that they do say no to drugs. Parents need to be the first step in drug prevention for their child, and then continue to be aware and on the lookout for their teen to try drugs so they can get help if necessary.

Be Aware

It is important, therefore, for parents to have some knowledge of the current drug scene. This scares many parents, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Just do a little research. Many parents know about age-old drugs like marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and LSD. They are aware that club drugs like Ecstasy and meth are out there, and that prescription drugs like OxyContin are becoming a huge problem. Parents may need to investigate further, however, to find out about the new synthetic drugs making their way around the country, such as bath salts and synthetic marijuana. These substances are trickier because they can be very misleading and sometimes even legal, yet just as harmful as illicit drugs. “It’s chemistry. They’re able to change the chemical structure just by small amounts to avert the law, even though it would have some of the same common properties and same psychoactive effects”, said Bruce Reeve, of the Division of Criminal Investigations Crime Lab. (1)

Investigate the Topic

Parents can gather a lot of information by doing some quick Internet searches. The Internet provides a host of how-to sites on ways to make drugs, get drugs, and pass drug tests. If parents can access this kind of information, so can their teen, so it is important for parents to look for details about drug abuse in this way.

Parents can talk to local law enforcement or hospitals, or attend seminars that are designed to inform about drug trends. By doing a little investigating and talking to their teens, parents can feel confident in their knowledge of drug dangers that their child faces, in the hopes that they can help their child stay drug-free. Knowledge is power.

Sources

(1) Special Report: Synthetic Drug Use Spreading Fast

Guard Against Synthetic Drugs

Synthetic drug use hard to track

There are so many frightening stories out there of parents that have lost their teen to drug use.  Parents need to be aware of their teen’s friends and activities, as well as the potential risks for kids these days.  We have listed five of the most common substances that are abused by teens.

1. Marijuana:  Weed, pot, grass; it’s the same drug that many of the older generations used when they were young.  Perhaps that’s why marijuana is the most commonly used drug today.  “Everyone else is doing it, and our parents probably experimented with it.”  But the marijuana used today is more potent than the marijuana of the past, and the fact that many kids are trying it at a younger age means that these kids will be more likely to move on to a more powerful substance as they get older.  Plenty of lives have been wrecked by marijuana; it is not a drug to be taken lightly.
2. Prescription drugs: An estimated 20% of teens have used prescription drugs to get high.  This growing trend among teens and pre-teens is troubling because of how easy it is to obtain these drugs.  Most kids can open up their parents’ bathroom cabinet and have their choice of drugs.  Parents have been slow to catch on to this trend, and now the abuse of prescription drugs is a serious problem in schools.  Teens have begun having “pharming parties” where everyone brings a stash from their home and shares with the group.
3. Ecstasy: This drug is popular among the dance club scene and now is being marketed to kids.  With stamps of cartoon characters on them and their cheap selling price, this stimulant drug has become a popular past time among teens.
4. Inhalants:  Another danger in most homes is the presence of inhalants.  Teens and pre-teens have begun sniffing or huffing certain chemicals or household items in order to get high.  Often, teens don’t see this as being anything more than a game, and certainly don’t see it as being harmful.
5. Cocaine and heroin: These potent drugs are causing growing concern for parents and law enforcement.   Highly addictive, these drugs cause such a high feeling that users are left looking for more.  The lives of many adults and teens have been ruined by these drugs.

A factor that is seen in many of these top substances is that teens don’t see the use of these them as being serious or harmful.  Teens are still learning and growing, there are many things they just don’t know.  Parents need to talk with their kids about drugs, and warn them about the severity of these substances.  Maybe with a little more time spent in education and prevention, these trends would not continue to surface among our teens.

Sources

Kowalski, Steve Cost, appearance of drugs appeal to teens January 25, 2009

Van Hollen, J.B. For teens, drug abuse genie is out of the prescription bottle 2/16/09

Ivers, Marianne Risky teen trends: Parents, don’t be in denial February 11, 2009

Drug Review A brief review of the most common drugs used by teens

If you or someone you love is considering treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, there are many decisions you may need to make in order to find the right facility. Below are some things to consider when choosing a facility, as well as things to expect once you get there.

First of all, it might be necessary to call a hotline to get immediate help for an addiction. This would be used when a person doesn’t know where else to go for help, or possibly someone is in immediate danger. If this is the case, the individual on the other end of the phone can give you valuable information about immediate treatment options.

Types of Facilities and Programs

If the decision is something that is thought about for a while and discussed, there are many different types of programs that might be useful. The first questions might be whether the facility offers residential, in-patient, or out-patient treatment, or a recovery house or long-term care. Some facilities are gender or age-specific, which might be particularly helpful to adolescents or females who might feel more comfortable in a setting with their peers.

It may be necessary for the treatment facility to have a detoxification program for the individual to rid their body of harmful substances while being monitored by a staff of medical professionals. After the physical dependency of the substance is addressed, the patient can begin counseling and treatment to manage the psychological dependency. Many treatment facilities have different activities to aid in this part of the recovery process. Things such as group therapy and family involvement have proven successful in treatment, as well as the 12-Steps for recovery. Some specialized facilities also provide programs such as equine therapy, recreational activities, cooking opportunities, and other things geared toward giving the mind and body something positive to focus on.

Recovery is an Ongoing Process

It is important for patients to be directed to long-term care to assist them in staying sober in the future. By learning about the risks of relapse and the skills needed to cope with stress and addiction triggers, an individual will be more likely to stay substance-free. A facility should provide follow-up services to give the recovering patient a support base when they move back into their lives. Recovery is an ongoing process. The groundwork is laid when an individual goes through treatment, but recovery continues on as the person is put back into their lives and families and has to effectively put what they learned into practice.

Entering into a treatment facility is a scary thing for most people. The unknown is hard to face. But the right facility can ease discomfort with their caring staff and positive programs. It still won’t be easy, but the goal is for the treatment to be successful. By working with counselors and staff to learn about oneself and taking accountability for the addiction, an individual can actually aid in the recovery process. So while you can expect treatment to be a challenge, it will hopefully be the best thing you’ve ever done.

Sources

T., Buddy Components of Effective Treatment Programs What Makes Alcohol Treatment Programs Work? January 22, 2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_rehabilitation

How would you feel if your insurance provider told you that the doctors’ visits and treatment costs for your illness were not going to be covered, or that you would have to pay a high deductible? Many people in our country are being told just that, and the reason is that the illness they have is substance abuse. There has long been a view in the world that substance abuse is a choice, or a character flaw, not a mental illness. Things are changing, however, and more and more research is being done on the complexities of the brain and its reaction to substance abuse. People today are beginning to see that while substance use might start as a decision to try something new, it quickly becomes an addiction that can’t be controlled.

Congress approves Mental Health Parity Act

Congress approved legislation last week that would change the way insurance providers handle claims for mental illness and substance abuse. The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 provides “equity in the coverage of mental health and substance use disorders by ensuring that group health care plans do not charge higher co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, and impose maximum out-of-pocket limits and lower day and visit limits.” Supporters of this measure include many in the House and Senate, businesses, insurance companies, and physicians. However, a few questions remained and until last week, it was uncertain whether or not the bill would pass before Congress went into recess this year. By attaching it to the Wall Street bailout bill, however, Congress was able to pass it quickly.

Help is needed

Help can’t come soon enough for many Americans struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, mental illness is the leading cause, and substance use is the second leading cause, of disability among adults. Many of these adults are not getting the help they need to recover from their mental illness, and often it is because of the high cost of treatment. Another reason is fear of discrimination from their employer if they do seek treatment.

Equal Coverage for an epidemic

With legislation such as the Mental Health Parity Act, those with a substance abuse disorder can be reassured that their insurers will not be able to set a cap on healthcare coverage for mental illness or substance abuse that isn’t set for other illnesses.

In order to deal with the epidemic of substance abuse, we need more good addiction treatment facilities, more affordable health care to addicts, and more support behind families dealing with substance abuse. Through the passage of this bill, those with addiction should be encouraged to move forward and seek treatment, so that we can work toward decreasing the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse.

Sources

Congresswoman Shea-Porter Hails Passage of Mental Health Parity Act September 24, 2008

Many State Reform Initiatives Are Neglecting Mental Illness, Says Study July 08, 2008

Layton, Lyndsey Congress Approves Mental Health Bill Private Insurers Would Provide More Benefits Sept. 24, 2008

Ault, Alicia Equal Coverage For Mental Health?
Many States Require Parity, and Congress May Order It Nationwide November 6, 2007

Curley, Bob Congress, Bush Approve Addiction and Mental Health Parity Legislation October 3, 2008