The University of Maine published some interesting facts regarding prescription use with teens in the United States.
One of the fastest growing trends with teenage prescription drug abuse is the Pharm Party. These are parties where each person brings bottles of prescription medications that they can find to a party where the medications are then put into a punch bowl for everybody to take like candy. Other names for this are “skittling” and fish bowling”.
Nearly one in five teens report abusing prescription medications to get high.
Teens are misusing everything from pain relievers to stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers. Many teens believe that prescription drugs are safer than alcohol or illicit
According to results taken from the 2006 Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey, an average of 12% of teenagers from grade 6 through 12 across the state reported experimenting with prescription drugs.
Youth prescription drug abuse is a serious problem. About 1 in 5 Maine youth grades 9-12 report having used a prescription drug not prescribed to them to get high. Non-medical use of prescription drugs is the second most popular category of drug abuse after marijuana.
What Can Parents Do to Reduce Prescription Abuse or Misuse?
Do not keep medications stockpiled in your home and keep careful track of your prescriptions
Talk with your child about the dangers of using prescription medications that are not prescribed by a doctor
Utilize local prescription mail-back or collection programs to dispose of your unused/unwanted medications
Over 7 million children currently live in homes where one parent is an alcoholic.Twelve to fourteen million adults abuse alcohol or have chronic alcoholic behavior.One in five adults living today grew up in a home where one or both parents were alcoholics. Research shows that children living in a home where a parent is addicted to alcohol have a greater chance of emotional problems than children who live in a home where alcohol is not an issue.According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 61 % of adults in the United States report that they drink alcohol.Thirty-two percent report that they drank five or more alcohol drinks in one day during the past year.Over 100,000 U.S. citizens die each year due to alcohol-induced experiences.
Other research shows that more than half of all homicides, suicides and traffic accidents in the U.S. are alcohol relatedIt’s not hard to find information regarding the negative effects that alcohol has on the family.In fact, I believe that if alcohol was discovered today, it would be illegal to consume in its present form.The fact that alcohol is here and we, as a country, took so long to deal with our denial of its negative effects, has kept us in a tolerating mode of its existence.The good news is, every individual in a family has a choice in how it chooses to consume this product before the individual and family becomes affected by its negative side effects.The sad news is children of alcoholic parents do not have a choice.They are often forced to live with the problem alcoholic parent.This portion of Scott Counseling will help you explore the world alcoholism in relationship to children without passing judgment.It will provide you, as the parent, with real help in meeting the needs of your child who has a parent facing this disease.
Some Simple& Current Facts About Alcoholism
Alcohol is the chemical fermentation or distillation of fruits or grains.
Alcoholism is a diseased characterized by a compulsion to drink alcohol.
The American Medical Association and the World Health Organization recognizes alcoholism as a disease.
Alcoholism is a disease because of its impairment of the body’s health and causes abnormal, progressive deterioration of the body’s organs.
Alcohol affects people differently. The immediate effects range from mild mood changes to complete loss of coordination, vision, balance and speech.
Chronic alcoholism is a progressive and often fatal disease.
An alcoholic craves alcohol.Once the body is addicted to alcohol, it relies on this chemical just as it relies on oxygen.
Alcoholism affects an individual’s mind.Alcoholics not only become physically dependent, they are often psychologically dependent.
The causes of alcoholism have been hard to define.Most medical research doctors have come to the conclusion that alcoholism is caused by a blend of genetic, physical, psychological, environmental and social factors.
Signs Of Alcoholism In A Parent
The parent’s drinking interferes with family life.
Parent is having job related problems.
Parent appears be agitated, angry, sad or displaying unusual moods swings.
Family plans are often changed or cancelled.
Parent is getting into fights or argument with other family member(s).
Personality changes while under the influence of alcohol.
Parent has periods of time when he or she can’t remember things or has “black outs.”
Parent gets intoxicated more and more often.
Alcohol becomes a big part of a parent’s life.
Parent has on-going financial problems.
Parent is spending more time with others who drink alcohol.
Parent begins to hide alcohol in different places in the home.
Parent denies that any of the signs above are occurring.
Some Reasons Why Alcoholism is a Disease
The medical field recognizes alcoholism as a disease because people who have this condition have uncontrollable cravings to drink.Blaming the drinker, yourself or others will not put an end to the condition.Taking the alcohol away from an alcoholic will not put an end to the condition.Just like other human diseases (acne, diabetes, coronary, cancer etc.), alcoholism will not go away by taking away the cause (i.e. not eating peanuts ends all acne).An alcoholic may have to battle this condition all of their life.Furthermore, this disease often requires direct medical interventions.Because a family member can’t control the parent’s condition and is not the cause of the parents problem drinking, the blame should be placed on the disease.The first thing your children need to know about regarding their parents’ drinking problem is that they are not at fault.The second thing that the children need to know is that the parent is ill, has a disease and needs help.
What A Parent Can Do To Help Their Child
If you are the parent who has a drinking problem, get help.Contact your medical doctor, health insurance company, employee assistance program, religious affiliation or Alcoholics Anonymous.
The parent can enroll themselves and their children in support setting.Al-Anon and Alateen are nationally based program throughout the United States.Check your phonebook or Internet for the chapter closest to you.These programs, along with Alcoholics Anonymous will assist you in taking the right steps to help the drinking parent.
Have a family intervention.If you (the other parent) and your children have a talking relationship with the drinking parent, sit down with the entire family.This may include relatives, friends, co-workers and anyone else who the drinking parent may respect. Before you meet with the drinking parent, meet with your intervention family team.Discuss what you will say and how you want to be loving and supportive while you say:
“We love you and we want you to stop drinking.”
“We want you to get help.”
“Even if you don’t think you have a problem, please see your doctor.”
“We love you and we want you to get help.”
Don’t be surprised if the parent refuses to get help.This does not mean that other family members can’t seek help to get support for themselves.You can’t control the drinking parent.You can control yourself.
A parent may have to notify the school counselor if the kids need additional support.This school counselor, nurse, social worker or psychologist may have additional information to provide you as well as names and phone numbers of outside agencies that can help.
Do not be ashamed or embarrassed!If the drinking parent had heart disease would you or your child be ashamed or embarrassed?Don’t let these feelings stop you from getting help!
Odor of alcohol, marijuana, vomit, chemical, urine
Facial itching
Raspy voice
Warm body
Headaches
Poorly kept appearance
Perspiring
Drug paraphernalia, pills, small pill bottles, syringes, paint residue
Grinding teeth
Behavioral Sign of Chemical Use
Loss or change in positive peer group or friends
Personality changes
Attitude changes
Lack of attention and focus
Withdrawn from family and friends
Memory problems
Secretive behaviors
Unexplained wealth or material wealth
Mood swings
Numerous phone calls, instant messaging or text messages
Overreaction to criticism
Drop in grades and poor quality work effort
Inability to sleep or insomnia
Change in eating habits
Accident prone
Uncommon illness
Blaming
Sensitivity to noise
Stages in Chemical Use
Stage I
Occasional to infrequent use
Social settings or alone
Some secrecy and anxiety about getting caught
Curiosity of chemical side effects
Stage II
·Controlled use and avoidance of intoxication
·Party and weekend use
·Uses to socialize, not for enjoyment
Stage III
Change friends and peer group
Parents and other adult become suspicious
Behavioral signs of memory loss, mood swings and more begin to appear
Increase problems in school or a change in grades
Change in interest that includes more “partying.”
School, sports and other activities become secondary and less important
Signs of depression, sleep loss begin to appear
Stage IV
Blackouts
Sleeping, insomnia issues
School problems that may result in suspensions or other disciplinary action
Apathy
Increase in chemical use not limited to weekends
Chemical use and abuse becomes a major part of life
Rationalization for hiding chemicals and drugs
How Should A Parent Respond?
Begin to speak with your child before they enter stage one of chemical or drug use.Begin to look for the physical and behavioral signs listed above.Let your child know that you have a right to search their room, backpack and other areas of your home if you suspect drug use.Do not be afraid to contact your school counselor and ask for help.The school counselor may provide you with other steps to take which may include meeting with your child, speaking with your child’s teachers, school nurse and other school officials.The school counselor can not help you if you keep your suspicions or information about your child’s chemical use a secret.
There are also numerous chemical and drug use agencies that can provide you with additional help.The school counselor can refer you to some of the best outside sources in your area.
Additional steps may include:
Educate yourself about alcohol, club drugs and other chemicals by clicking on ScottCounseling Links.
Stay calm while speaking to your child about your suspicions of their chemical use.
Speak with other parents and join a support group.
Speak with a school counselor, school nurse or the school district Drug Prevention Coordinator.
Click on: www.nida.nih.gov/ for more information and the latest facts regarding drug and chemical use by teens.
The University of Maine published some interesting facts regarding prescription use with teens in the United States.
