Every parent has concerns and fears that their child might become involved with drugs and alcohol. Whether in cities or rural communities, wealthy or poor communities; drugs are readily available to all young people, and even the most seemingly innocent child can speak with apparent familiarity about drugs and alcohol. Drugs are an equal opportunity destroyer and the more parents learn, the more they can educate their children on the dangers and repercussions of drug and alcohol use.

The use of drugs is driven, according to research, by two pathways: Those who simply use drugs to feel better and those who use drugs that are stuck in very difficult life situations.

 

The group of young people using drugs to simply feel better are seeking novelty or excitement to have a good time. This includes the group of kids who are doing drugs because their friends are doing it. These kids just want to join in and be "cool". This group is most likely to respond to prevention programming that educates them about the harmful effects on drugs on their bodies. They will be most likely influenced by the powerful protective factor of having strong and loving parents interested and involved in all aspects of their lives. They have the best chance at being successfully taught to seek alternative ways of joining in and being 'cool' and how to resist the temptation to seek novelty in drugs and other destructive ways.

 

The second group of young people who use drugs are using them for a very different reasons. This group of kids most likely comes from poverty or abusive/neglectful families. Kids suffering from a variety of untreated mental disorders, like clinical depression, manic-depressive illness, panic disorders, and schizophrenia are a part of this group. Estimates are that as many as 10 million children and adolescents may suffer from emotional and psychiatric problems of such magnitude and they are at an extremely high risk of becoming addicted to drugs. These young people are self-medicating themselves with drugs and alcohol to make them feel better, in the same way that others take anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications. The problem is that using illicit drugs is not an effective treatment, will ultimately make them feel worse, and will exacerbate underlying psychological issues. Unfortunately powerful, protective, and loving parents are not always effective in helping to prevent and stop drug use with this group of young people. The underlying problems most likely need to be addressed with professional treatment. There are many professional social workers, nurses, drug counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrics well trained to deal with both mental disorders and drug use problems.

Tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana are considered the three main gateway drugs. Gateway drugs open the door to the use of other, harder drugs and are typically inexpensive and readily available. Research suggests that in the majority of the cases of young people who experiment with gateway drugs will not make the leap into more toxic dangerous drugs, however, research still suggests that most addicts began their downward spiral with the use of gateway drugs.

 

Tobacco

According to a report from the United States Department of Education, "Tobacco use is associated with alcohol and illicit drug use and is generally the first drug used by young people who enter a sequence of drug use that can include tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, and harder drugs." According to the statistics from the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, the younger a child starts smoking, the more addicted s/he becomes. "Cigarette smokers are also more likely to get into fights, carry weapons, attempt suicide, and engage in high-risk sexual behaviors," say government researchers. You as the parent are the primary influence on your child to not use tobacco.

 

Alcohol

Research shows that by age 18, when most kids graduate from high school, 90 percent of them have experimented with alcohol. Social drinking is an acceptable and pleasurable activity for milliions of Americans that young people witness from an early age. But if it becomes a regular mechanism to escape troubles to feel good and overly used it can be an abuse, a dependency, and a severe problem. Experts say that kids are not usually inclined to drink alcohol on their own, many will imitate a parent who overindulges or will go along with peers who offer it to them. In fact, young people who end up drinking abusively do it for the same reasons as their parents - to cope with anxiety or stress, to manage their moods, to release inhibitions so they can become more sociable, and to forget their troubles and have fun. Alcohol is very addictive to a child's underdeveloped central nervous system. Statistics show: 

• Junior and high school students drink 35 percent of all the wine coolers in the United States.
• Binge drinking - consumption of five or more drinks at one sitting - is reported as early as the eighth grade.
• Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death among people 15 to 24 years of age.
• Half of all youthful deaths in drowning, fires, suicide, and homicide are alcohol related.
• The United States Department of Health and Human Services, in a survey of high school seniors, found that 2.5 million respondents did not know they could die of alcohol poisoning.

Marijuana

Marijuana, the most common name for Cannabis, is intended for use as a psychoactive drug and can also have physiological effects when consumed. Cannabis use has been assessed by several studies to be correlated with the development of anxiety, psychosis, and depression and can cause various health problems. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug used by teens today. Approximately 60 percent of the kids who use drugs use only marijuana. It is also sometimes laced with other, more potent drugs that the user might not even be aware of. Marijuana is physically addictive and each year, 100,000 teens are treated for marijuana dependency.

Hard drugs are mainly psychoactive drugs that are addictive and perceived as especially damaging. The use of hard drugs can create a wide variety of mental and physical health problems. Young people who use hard drugs can severely impair their ability to make healthy choices and decisions. It affects their mental state and they could experience many harmful effects from black-outs to over-dosing. All young people from both pathways to drugs could possibly experiment with harder more illicit drugs. Hard drugs include but are not limited to the following:

• Cocaine/Crack
• Crystal Meth
• Ecstasy
• Heroin
• LSD
• Morphine
• PCP

Click here for a Drug Guide from The Partnership for Drug-Free America to see all varieties of drugs, photos, and their effects.

If you notice unexplained changes in physical appearance of behavior, it may be a sign of substance abuse - or it could be a sign of another problem. Professional drug-screenings are offered at community clinics and hospitals.

 

Physical Signs

• Change in sleeping patterns
• Bloodshot eyes
• Slurred or agitate speech
• Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain
• Skin abrasions/bruises
• Neglected appearance
• Poor hygiene
• Sick more frequently
• Accidents or injuries

Behavioral Signs

• Hiding use; lying and covering up
• Sense that the person will 'do anything' to use again regardless of consequences
• Loss of control or choice of use (drug-seeking behavior)
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Emotional instability
• Hyperactive or hyper-aggressive
• Depression
• Missing school or work
• Failure to fulfill responsibilities at school or work
• Complaints from teachers or co-workers
• Reports of intoxication at school or work
• Furtive or secretive behavior
• Avoiding eye contact
• Locked doors
• Going out every night
• Change in friends or peer group
• Change in clothing or appearance
• Unusual smells on clothing or breath
• Heavy use of over-the-counter preparations to reduce eye reddening, nasal irritation, or bad breath
• Hidden stashes of alcohol
• Alcohol missing from your supply
• Prescription medicine missing
• Money missing
• Valuables missing
• Disappearance for longs periods of time
• Secretive phone calls
• Unusual containers or wrapper

Being a powerful, protective, and loving parent and caregiver that is involved in all aspects of your children lives is the first step. Just this alone can prevent the one group of young people from abusing drugs just to feel good. Teach your child alternative ways of having fun and to be a part of their peer group. Sports and extra-curricular activities are one place to start to get your child involved in positive programs that provide this. Tell your children you love them and you want them to be happy and healthy. Say that you do not find alcohol and other illegal drug use acceptable. Many parents fail to state this simple fact. Explain that drug use hurts people - not only the user but their family and friends too. Explain all the harmful and hurtful health effects it can cause physically and mentally. Such as AIDS, impaired coordination, slowed growth, and emotional harm such as feelings of isolation and paranoia - just to name a few. It is also important to discuss the legal issues associated with drug and alcohol use because a conviction for a drug offense can lead to prison, loss of job or college loan, and much more.

 

Unfortunately, a lot of young people abusing drugs will need professional help. Parents who can recognize mental disorders and misbehaving before drug use becomes involved have a better chance at preventing their child from experimenting with drugs to self-medicate themselves. There are social workers, nurses, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists that are well trained to deal with mental disorders and misbehaving. Your child's school, your family doctor, or community health center can help get you a referral. With early intervention, a child can be saved from a lifetime of problems and anguish. 

 

Things you as a parent and caregiver can do:

• Be your kids' greatest fan. Compliment them on all of their efforts, the strength of their character and their individuality.
• Get your kids involved in adult-supervised after-school activities. Ask them what types of activities they're interested in and contact the school principal or guidance counselor to find out what activities are available. Sometimes it takes a bit of experimenting to find out what your kids are best suited for, but it's worth the effort.
• Help your kids develop tools they can use to get out of alcohol or drug related situations.
• Get to know your children's friends and their parents. Call them and check to make sure they share in your views on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
• Call kids' parents if their home is to be used for a party. Make sure that the party will be alcohol-free and supervised by adults.
• Set curfews and enforce them. Let kids know the consequences of breaking curfew.
• Encourage open dialogue with your children and about their experiences. Make sure you children understand that they can ask you anything and that you will give them an honest answer.
• Set a no-use rule for alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
• Sit down for dinner with your children at least once a week. Use the time to talk - don't eat in front of TV.
• Get and stay involved in your children's lives.

Out of Town

When you are out of town word gets out quickly. It is important to realize that situations can quickly get out of hand even for the most responsible teenager and having an unsupervised party while parents are gone is not a good idea. Many times a small select group of close friends turns into a large out-of-control beer bash. Have a responsible adult stay in your house while you are away. Explain to them the house rules and no parties are to take place. Inform your trusted neighbors about your absence and ask them to contact you, the adult staying in the house, or the police if they witness a party.

 

Party at Someone Else's House

The first order of business is to know where the party is. Get an address and phone number and verify that they are correct. Make sure your child is where they are supposed to be. Talk in person to the parents of the child giving the party. Offer to help supervise, verify the party and location, make sure the parent will be present the whole time, and be certain there will be no alcohol or drugs permitted. Plan transportation for your child and know how they will get to and home from the party. Arrange for an emergency ride if something happens and they need another ride home. Discuss the dangers of getting into a car with someone they don't know, especially if that someone is intoxicated in anyway. If you find your child was at a party where alcohol and drugs were present, it is important to discuss the situation with the parents who were hosting the party.

 

Sources:

D.A.R.E. www.dare.com

United States Department of Education www.ed.gov

United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov

United States Department of Health & Human Services www.hhs.gov

Partnership for Drug-Free America www.drugfree.org