The Progression of Chemical Use from Experimentation to Addiction:an understanding of the differences”drug abusers” enabling denial “drug testing” “Sacramento” “granite bay” “folsom” “fair oaks” “Carmichael” “adolescent” “substance abuse” “teen drug abuse” “adolescent drug use”
21-Sep-2010
03-Sep-2010
Some of the long-term effects of drinking at a young age include learning difficulties, memory loss, and addiction problems later on in life. These are only some of the associated problems that are currently, scientifically proven. It is time that parents and those in our community took a stand against alcohol use, and experimentation with our teenage children now, rather than later on down the track when the damage has already been done.
Heavy drug abuse is said to be the main concern of many parents, when it comes to addictive substances. Although research suggests that the largest percentage of drug related occurrences are the direct result of alcohol use, not hard drugs. Parents need to be aware that alcohol use among young teens is harmful, unacceptable, and is a dangerous substance among teenagers that needs our attention, rather than our tolerance.
Facts About Alcohol, And Your Teenager
• In Australia, it is estimated that at least 73% of teenagers try alcohol more than once.
• In 2001, over 3,000 teenagers died due to alcohol use, and a further 64,782 needed medical attention after an alcohol related episode.
• Teenagers who are exposed to alcohol at an early age are five times more likely to become addicted later in life.
• Teenagers who binge-drink are likely to have poor judgment, and engage in dangerous activities such as increased risk taking, unwanted sex, blackouts, vomiting, and being a victim to violent activities.
Teenage Drinking, What You Can Do As A Parent
The relationships that we have with our teenage children have a bearing on their future development as they grow into well-adjusted adults who take their place in the community. In order to give your teenager the best start in life, they need to be given love, security, a warm and friendly family environment, as well as a firm set of values, and standards to live their lives by.
From an early age, children need boundaries. This helps them define, in later life, what acceptable behaviour is, and what isn’t tolerable. As children reach their teenage years, they need to be taught responsibility within their defined boundaries as a teenager. It is a parent’s duty, not prerogative to take an active role in your teenager’s life.
As a parent, if you don’t agree with teenage drinking, voice your opinion with other parents, and take a stand for what you feel is the right thing. You just may find that there are many other parents out there who agree with you. By creating a network of parents within your community that includes the parents of your teenager’s friends where possible, you can work together towards creating a strong, safe structure for your teenager to socialise in.
Tracy Tresidder MEd, PCC is an ICF professionally certified coach. She specialises in working with parents and teens. Parents – learn how to assist your children to build lives of confidence, courage and compassion. Discover the seven simple steps to create a mutually loving and respectful relationship with your teenager. Go to www.coaching4teenagers.com.au to see the programs that are available now. Tracy is also the Director of Professional Standards for ICF Australasia and an ICF Assessor and Mentor Coach. Visit the website to see more of what she has to offer. www.tracytresidder.com Website
29-Jul-2010
So when adolescents develop behavioral problems, mood disorders or social issues that interrupt their education, parents are doubly distressed. For troubled teens, almost by definition, have trouble in school.
Dealing with a troubled teen is an enormous challenge for both parents and teachers. Public schools, hard pressed to meet the academic needs of normal students, are often not equipped to meet the emotional demands of the problem student. Many parents consider boarding school or military academy just to get their child back into a classroom, but even in those closed and structured environments many troubled teens will continue to struggle.
What’s a parent to do? Many start by seeking advice from other parents who have dealt or are dealing with a troubled teen. Hearing about a program first-hand from someone who’s been in your shoes can save you valuable time, money and frustration when it comes to helping your own child.
Other parents outreach to independent educational consultants who handle special needs clients. These professionals, many of whom are former educators and guidance counselors, can identify and help you select a suitable school or program for your teen. Depending on the teen’s specific problems, recommendations might include emotional growth schools, therapeutic boarding schools, home-based residential programs, therapeutic wilderness programs, or residential treatment centers.
If the choices seem bewildering, it’s because there are many valid approaches today for treating troubled teens. Currently several hundred programs exist, serving 10,000 to 20,000 students annually. Pulitzer Prize-winning writer David L. Marcus looked at one such program in his recent book, What It Takes to Pull Me Through: Why Teenagers Get in Trouble and How Four of Them Got Out. His study of the complex world of troubled teenagers was conducted at the Academy at Swift River, an emotional growth school in western Massachusetts. The success of his book is indicative of the growing interest in and demand for programs to serve a growing segment of America’s twenty-nine million adolescents.
Nor has the phenomenon been lost on the media. ABC’s reality series Brat Camp shows the choices faced by nine families dealing with out-of-control teenagers with problems like ADHD, drug addiction, promiscuity and fighting. Each chooses to send their teen to SageWalk, a wilderness school in rural Oregon, hoping that after the 50-day program is over they’ll get back the children they once knew.
With attention like this, industry critics have emerged as well. Some charge program operators of profiteering by promising miracles to desperate parents, but many more cite the overall lack of federal regulations and the patchwork of state regulations that govern the behavioral health care industry. Right now, therapeutic and emotional growth schools are regulated like ordinary boarding schools. Except for residential treatment centers, there are no regulations requiring specific educational or professional credentials for program operators. There is also no uniform set of national, government-endorsed standards by which parents can judge a program’s effectiveness.
Fortunately, high and rigorously enforced standards are in place for these schools and programsâstandards imposed by the industry itself.
NATSAP
In 1999, concerned about the industry’s lack of uniform ethical and practice guidelines to protect at-risk teens and families in crises, The Family Foundation School joined six other programs and a small group of individuals to form the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). Today, with more than 170 members, NATSAP serves as an advocate and resource for innovative organizations that devote themselves to the effective care and education of struggling young people and their families. Envisioning “a nation of healthy children,” NATSAP has become the voice that inspires, nurtures and validates its member schools and programs.
Parents and others concerned about the efficacy and integrity of therapeutic programs in an otherwise unregulated industry can turn to NATSAP for guidance. The association serves as an unofficial watchdog, calling attention to substandard and predatory programs that can injure participants emotionally, psychologically, physically and financially. While the vast majority of therapeutic schools and programs provide treatment rooted in sound clinical practice and concern for the growth and well-being of the young people they serve, there are operations that lack respect and sensitivity to individual needs, that rely solely on internal feedback and consequently fail to learn, improve or grow.
NATSAP has established benchmarks first and foremost for treatment and behavioral practices that reduce risk, promote safety, and demand continuous program improvements. The organization provides members with the latest research on treating troubled teens and tested methods for helping families in crises. It has also established admissions guidelines that protect parents from false advertising and misleading claims of services. Most important, it has established and enforces ethics and practice standards for its members, and adds to these standards regularly.
We want to make it clear that NATSAP is not an accrediting or licensing body, but an independent, voluntary organization. It does not provide placement services. However, it is an indispensable resource and a good first stop for parents pursuing a placement for their child in any program. By choosing a NATSAP member, you can be sure you’re dealing with an organization that is serious about how you are served, who values ethical integrity, who recognizes how vulnerable a family is when making the difficult decision to place a child outside the home, and whose primary goal is the education, growth and well-being of your troubled teen.
The Right Match
Each adolescent at risk has specific needs that must be determined in detail before he or she can be successfully placed in a therapeutic school or program. As a parent, you can make sure the ultimate match is the correct one by arranging for whatever academic and psychological tests may be necessary, and by using multiple informational sources before making your final decision. The industry offers a wide and growing array of program types, lengths of stay, and services to meet the needs of a variety of troubled young peopleâwhich is a good reason to review your choices with the help of an educational consultant. As we mentioned above, these independent professionals know the industry inside out and will work with you and your child to find the best possible placement. (To locate a consultant near you, visit Independent Educational Consultants Association website). Whether you decide to work with a consultant, with referrals from other parents, or to strike out on your own, you owe it to yourself and your child to find out as much as possible about this segment of the educational field, and the journey on which you’re about to embark.
The good news is that all the information you could possibly wantâand then someâis as close as your computer. Since an Internet search of “trouble teens” will yield millions of hits, you should probably begin by checking out the websites of schools or programs you’ve heard of, or have been referred to (they all have websites). Or start with NATSAP, or another online directory of schools and programs for troubled teens. One we recommend is http://strugglingteens.com. Developed by the highly respected industry newsletter Woodbury Reports, this website provides a wealth of news, information, and research findings pertaining to teens at risk. Here you can find valuable insights into the industry and of particular help is the coverage of new schools and programs, and of what works in this industry and what doesn’t.
Other organization websites worth visiting are the American Psychological Association,National Association of Social Workers, National Board for Certified Counselors, and American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
It’s been said that the primary job of youth is to get an education. When troubled teens fall down on the job, it is up to us as parents, counselors and educators to make sure they’re given a hand up and a way back to the classroom. For this we need a strong network of therapeutic schools and programs.
Emmanuel A. Argiros and Sidney F. Parham, Ph.D. are associated with the Family Foundation School. The Family Foundation School has guided thousands of troubled teens toward responsible adulthood with character education that includes the 12-Step program of recovery and its spiritual principles, rigorous academics including special academic support where needed, psychological counseling, and a strong and experienced faculty and staff. More information can be found at http://www.thefamilyschool.com.
06-Jul-2010
Adolescent rehab programs in the US have stated that drug and alcohol abuse among adolescents is a real problem that should be confronted. One of the prominent teen rehab in Pennsylvania states that parents have a huge responsibility to ensure that their kids are not being induced by drugs. They should not be harsh with their kids but at the same time, they shouldn’t be too lenient and maintain a watchful eye because this phase of life can be quite vulnerable and be the base of how he or she would be as an adult.
The teen drug abuse statistics are alarming to say the least; just goes to show where the future of this country is heading thanks to the callous attitude adopted by adults and the open culture existence perpetrated by the media and the Internet. In the US, there are about 3,500 teenagers who smoke every day. Nearly 27 percent of teenagers have confessed to abusing any one drug in the year 2004. The drug that is most abused in this age group is Marijuana. Teenagers who socialize and frequent parties are known to abuse the Club Drug ‘Ecstasy’. A survey of 10th graders four years back showed that 15 percent used Marijuana, 13 percent of them used inhalants and 6 percent used a club drug
Why do teenagers abuse drugs? According to the reports put forwarded by teen treatment centers that have examined this situation and treated many youngsters, peer pressure and lack of confidence are the biggest reasons. When a fellow teenager boasts about taking drugs and seducing a girl in his class, or when a group of drug-struck teenagers talk about the ‘highs ‘that they get by taking drugs, an impressionable teenager develops the interest in trying it out and that’s where the trouble starts brewing
Drugs are known to have dangerous effects that can harm a person’s physical and mental development. For one, it can harm the teen’s ability to absorb information and pay attention. Teenagers who have drugs are more likely to indulge in unprotected sex and even have physical relationships with a complete stranger. Teenagers who abuse drugs are usually the ones who are getting into this bad habit from a young age and if the person does not stop his or her addiction, it can be very difficult to get rid of this problem and even when treated, there are chances of relapse when quitting the drug addiction.
Anabolic steroids cause a lot of sexual problems in both the sexes. The reproductive organs are not developed properly, men tend to become impotent, and women suffer from hair loss and clitoral enlargement. Additionally, there are other repercussions like acne, skin diseases, baldness, stunted growth, stroke, liver diseases, cancer and risk of HIV/AIDS in both sexes, given the fact that some of the drugs can make a person promiscuous in nature
Substance abuse can affect the body systems and depending on whether the body is able to process the drug or not, there have been many instances of interrupted breathing from sedatives, permanent brain damage from inhalants and heart attacks from stimulants. Needless to say, all of these drugs can lead to death as well. Drugs according to teen rehab centers, may be taken by teens to mask their fears and anxieties but in retrospect, they actually increase these worries after the momentary ‘high’ is lost and due to increased depression, a person can actually commit suicide, kill someone or even become a homicide victim.
Find more information on Teen Drug Abuse. Helpful and informative information on Teenage Addiction Rehabs is available.
21-Jun-2010
As a counselor, I have seen many parents run themselves ragged trying to be “The Perfect Parent” to their teenager. When their efforts fall short and the relationship with their teenager is lacking, many parents can feel frustrated and disappointed. Here are some myth busters of how to be the Perfect Parent.
In order to have a good relationship with my teenager, I need to:
1. Spend every waking moment with my teenager
Somehow there is a lofty thought that a good relationship with teenagers begins with spending all day, every day with them. As if “Perfect Parents” are the ones that spend all of their free time with their teenagers, filling their days shopping at the mall, or working gleefully together in the back yard.
Yes, and no! Spending time with their parents is something that most teenagers really want, and enjoy doing. However, teenagers also crave their independence. It is better to find a time and consistently meet with them, than to try to overcrowd your teenager. As in the end, this can drive a teenager crazy.
2. Have a serious discourse of the philosophy of life every morning.
Mornings can be a difficult time of the day for parents and teenagers. Hurried parents are often trying to get their just woken up teenagers out the door, usually with some sort of half – eaten pastry hanging out of their mouths.
Save the in depth philosophical discussions for a time when there are no distractions. Make the mornings as smooth as possible. For many people, how they start their morning will determine their mood for the remainder of the day.
3. Use every last penny of my paycheck for my teenager’s every whim
Parents want the best for their teenagers, and enjoy being able give their teenagers those gifts and gadgets they did not have during their adolescence. However, sometimes parents can get carried away and over extend themselves financially, while trying to give their teenager the best life possible.
The irony is that most teenagers do not necessarily want a lot of money showered on them. Now don’t get me wrong, most will accept monetary gifts and extravagance. But if a parent is trying to show love by spending money on them, this very well may backfire. Teenagers are quite keen at being able to distinguish between authentic affection and purchased admiration.
4. Know the answers to all of their questions
As a parent, we want to be the “go to person” for our teenager. However, some parents assume filling this position means they have to be the knowledgeable sage for all of life’s problems. As if their inability to give an answer is equivalent to being a failure as a parent.
Horse Hockey! What is a parent to do? Find someone that may know the answer. Being able to point your teenager into the right direction will encourage self determination, and it will show that you are listening and taking their questions seriously.
5. Be the “cool” parent
Many parents attempt to be the “cool” parent that blends into the teenage crowd. They dress the part, listen to the same music as their teenager, and even try to pick up the current slang of the day. While the intention of wanting to connect to the teenage world is noble, often this can result in embarrassment for both you and your teenager.
Instead, just be yourself. This is not to say that as a parent your dress attire cannot be current and contemporary. Nor that you cannot share any similar taste in music or popular culture with your teenager. However, the rule of thumb is authenticity rather than resorting to becoming an adolescent yourself by trying to “fit in.” You would probably find that your teenager’s respect for you is not based in what you wear, but in who you are.
Are you looking for more practical solutions for parenting your teenager? I invite you to check out http://www.parentingyourteenager.com/ where you will find more information to help parents and teens become better friends when they feel like enemies.
