HELPING TEENS MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES: SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS

1. HELPING TEENS MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES:SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS Mill Valley Middle School March 6, 2012 Tim Browne, Ph.D. www.timbrownephd.com

2. How are we doing? … What percentage of parents feel their children’s schools are drug free? 5% 15% 35% 50%

3. Many Parents are Failing! 5% 15% C. 35% D. 50%

4. What is the average age teens begin experimenting with substances?

5. National Average = 13 years old

6. Hiding drug use from YOU –How long can teens hide it?

7. On average,after they began using drugs, teens were able to hide their use from parentsfor: 2 YEARS!

8. What’s Happening Now: Teen Substance Use Trends • By the end of 8th grade 19% of kids have tried an illicit drug and 38% have tried alcohol. • 80% of High School students and 44% of Middle School students saw peers using or selling drugs/alcohol on school grounds. • Drug use TRIPLES between 6th to 8th grade. • And…15,000 kids try drugs for the first time every day. • (Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse [CASA] National Survey, 2007)

9. Gate Way Drugs • What defines a Gate Way drug? • Substances which are usually more available to teens. • Use of these substances coincides with a higher likelihood that the teen will “graduate” to harder drugs.

10. Gate Way Drugs • “Old” Gate Way drugs: -- Cigarettes, Marijuana, and some have said Alcohol. • More Current Gate Way drugs: -- Cigarettes, Marijuana, Alcohol, and Inhalents – (Prescription Drugs?).

11. Gate Way Drugs - Dangers • Are Gate Way drugs less addictive or less dangerous? 1. NO -- Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances. 2. Inhalants • Associated with significant brain damage. • Greater availability & therefore especially dangerous for younger kids.

12. Gate Way Drugs - Marijuana E. Marijuana as a Gate Way Drug • Higher THC levels now. • Stays in the body longer than other substances. 3. Habitual use associated with medical problems. • Short term memory problems. • “Amotivational Syndrome” (a.k.a., Couch potato). • Paranoia and potential for psychosis.

13. Gate Way Drugs - Marijuana 7. Marijuana now thought to be both psychologically and physically addicting. • Habitual users can develop tolerance to the drug, as well as specific withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing use. • Users who experience withdrawal symptoms often return to using the drug, or seek another substance to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal. (This makes it hard for habitual users to quit “on their own”).

14. Gate Way Drugs - Alcohol F. Alcohol – Still as DANGEROUS as ever. • Kids who begin drinking alcohol before the age of fifteen are 5 x’s more likely to become an alcoholic later in life! • Teens who drink are 22 x’s more likely to use marijuana and 50 x’s more likely to use cocaine! • Alcohol kills 6.5 x’s more kids than ALL other illicit drugs combined!

15. Gate Way Drugs - Alcohol 90% of teen drinking is binge drinking (defined as at least 5 drinks in a short period of time). By graduation from high school 66% of teens are “regular drinkers” and 40% can be classified as frequent binge drinkers.

16. Alcohol poisoning is equivalent to an overdose!

17. “Harder” Drugs A. Since ALL drugs are dangerous, the hard drugs should be called “Harder Drugs” • Hallucinogens • Cocaine • “Designer” Drugs • Amphetamines • Opiates – Prescribed and Illicit • Benzodiazepines -- usually anxiety medications 7. Non-Benzodiazepine Sedatives – usually sleep medications 8. Barbiturates (e.g., Seconal, Phenobarbital, etc)

18. Recent Substance Abuse Trends: Marijuana & Ecstasy Increase in the use of marijuana and ecstasy (a.k.a. - MDMA, “Molly”, “Thiz”) Despite past trends suggesting a reduction in use.

19. Recent Substance Abuse Trends: “Over the Counter” & Rx Drugs Dramatic increase in the abuse of over the counter & prescription medications by teens over the past 5 years.

20. Recent Substance Abuse Trends: “Over the Counter” Drugs A. Over the Counter Substance Abuse • Abuse of over the counter cough syrups (e.g., Robitussin) that contain Dextromethorphan (“DXM”). • Abuse of this drug results in a hallucinogenic and/or dissociative experiences. • Can cause a serious depression of central nervous system functioning (e.g., breathing), especially when combined with alcohol. • Abuse of over the counter cold or allergy medications (e.g., Sudafed).

21. Recent Substance Abuse Trends: Prescription Drugs B. Prescription Drug Abuse by Teens – Anything they can acquire to alter their consciousness • Abuse of Codeine and Promethazine cough syrups. • These cough syrups are also very dangerous central nervous depressant – especially when combined with alcohol. • Prescription stimulants (e.g., ADHD medications like Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Dexedrine etc.). • 20 % of Teens will abuse a prescription medication.

22. Recent Substance Abuse Trends: Prescription Drugs • Abuse of Opiate or Synthetic Opiate Pain Medications – An Epidemic • Hydrocodone -- Synthetic opiate usually combined with another non-opiate pain reliever like acetaminophen. (e.g., Vicodin, Percocet, etc.). • Oxycontin -- Hydrocodone derivative which is time released. • Abuse of these prescription pain killers is very dangerous. -- Associated with accidental overdose, death. -- Can lead to rapid dependency and addiction to other opiates (e.g., heroin).

23. WHY use drugs or alcohol in the first place? 73% of Teens listed this factor as their #1 reason for “using drugs”: Peer Pressure Stress Media Influence Availability

24. 73% of Teens listed this factor as their #1 reason for “using drugs”: Peer Pressure B. Stress C. Media Influence D. Availability

25. Other Factors Associated With Teens Substance Use Family history of alcohol or drug abuse. B. Earlier use / experimentation with drugs or alcohol. C. Perceived risk of negative consequences. D. Perceived social approval. E. Perceived availability. F. Emotional or psychiatric issues or diagnoses. AND…

26. Other Factors Associated With Teens Substance Use The positive impact of parents, schools, & the community on the prevention and reduction of teen substance abuse.

27. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • A recent survey found that Teens who: • 1) Believed their parents disapproved of substance use and, • 2) Reported that their parents participated in their lives in • specific ways were less likely to use tobacco, alcohol, or • illicit drugs. • What activities did these parents participate in with their child that were associated with a lower likelihood of the teen using the above substances?

28. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • Parents who participated with their child in the below activities had teens who were less likely to abuse tobacco, alcohol, and illicit substances: • Let the teen know they were proud of something they had done. • Let the child know when they had done a good job. • Required them to do chores. • Limited their T.V. viewing. • Provided help with homework, and • Limited time out with friends on school nights. • From: The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH, 2009)

29. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • Parenting Principles and Strategies to Help Your Teen Remain Drug Free. • “Tune Into” Your Teen • Communicate early and often. • Spend time together. • Talk openly and honestly. • Use positive communication skills – especially during conflict. • Acknowledge positive qualities and successes.

30. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • Guide Your Teen • Set rules with a focus on safety and providing guidance. • Provide opportunities for “give and take” – but maintain the final say. • Be firm and consistent, but NOT overly restrictive or intrusive. • Set fixed “house rules” regarding “health and safety” first – then negotiate other rules.

31. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • Guide Your Teen • Be flexible – re-negotiate rules as teens show more responsibility and maturity. • Be specific when it comes to rules about substance use. Tell your teens they are not permitted to use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. • g. Be sure to also address the rules associated with the use of over the counter or Rx drugs.

32. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • 3. Monitor Your Teen • Make sure your teen knows that you will be monitoring them. • Check in with other parents about your teens plans or whereabouts. • c. Initiate “surprise visits” if you suspect your child is being dishonest about where they say they are. • d. Be respectful – Ask, don’t interrogate, about activities and whereabouts. • e. Standing rule of “no parents – then no party”.

33. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • 3. Monitor Your Teen • Involve yourself in your teen’s school and activities. • Get to know other adults in your teen’s life. • h. Use this network to “compare notes” about how your teen is doing. • i. Check in with teens about their spending and where their money is going. • j. Know your child’s friends, their friend’s siblings, and parents.

34. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • 3. Monitor Your Teen • k. Monitor your teen’s physical and mental health. • Educate yourself regarding the signs of substance use and abuse.

35. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • Monitor Your Teen • Some of the Signs and Symptoms of Teen Substance Abuse. • Changes in attitude or emotional state. • Other behavioral changes. • Changes in relationships with family & others. • School, academic, extra- curricular changes. • Physical Changes. • Legal Problems. • Chemical use and related behaviors. • (A Complete list of signs and symptoms of teen substance abuse can be found on my web site)

36. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • Monitor Your Teen • n. If there are signs or symptoms of use or abuse – the teen forfeits their right to privacy. • o. When to Drug Test your Teen? • p. If there are more than a few signs of substance abuse or the teen tests positive after the initial use, get a professional assessment.

37. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • 4. Respect Your Teen • Stay involved, but give your teen the privacy and space they need, provided they have earned this trust. • Encourage your child to express their own ideas and opinions. • Don’t be dismissive of your teen’s beliefs. Instead, engage in healthy debate. • d. Make time to listen and be responsive to your teen’s fears, feelings, and concerns.

38. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • Respect Your Teen • When disciplining your teen focus on the behavior or mistake, not on the teen. • Don’t belittle your teen’s taste in dress or music. • g. Appreciate and acknowledge your teens unique interests, skills, and strengths.

39. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • 5. Be A Good Role Model • Don’t smoke or use illicit drugs yourself. • Don’t allow your teen to drink or smoke in your home. • Never provide alcohol to teenagers in your home. • Don’t involve your teen in your use. • NEVER drink and drive.

40. The Power of the Parent: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse • 5. Be A Good Role Model • Enlist your family members and friends as positive role models for your teen. • Practice what you preach. • (From: Navigating the Teen Years: A Parent’s Handbook for Raising • Healthy Teens; The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign; The • American Academy of Pediatrics and Parents: The Anti-Drug)

41. You CAN make a difference in helping your child make the RIGHT CHOICES!