Transcript Adolescent Substance Abuse: What Middle School Parents

Adolescent Substance Abuse:
What Middle School Parents
Need to Know
March 10, 2014
Introduction
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Student Assistance Counselor
Groups and individual counseling for issues related to substance
abuse – family members, friends, themselves
Decision making, anxiety, anger management, relationships,
communication skills – learning effective strategies to manage
these issues helps to prevent substance abuse
Students who violate the drug and alcohol policy
Parents – resources, referral, support and education
Confidentiality
Prevention Programs – Red Ribbon Week, Kick Butts Day, Peer
Leaders, activities involving healthy decision making and Asset
building.
Parent workshops - Active Parenting, Breakfast Club, Dinner Club
Gateway Drugs
• Alcohol, tobacco/nicotine products, marijuana, inhalants,
over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
• Electronic cigarettes, synthetic marijuana and energy drinks
• Easily available from home, friends, older siblings
• Why do we need to take use of these substances seriously?
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May move on to harder drugs
They have their own serious risks
Teen brains are still developing – long term damage
Impact decision making
Possibly trigger underlying emotional & psychiatric issues
Prohibits emotional growth – ‘numbing’
Gateway Drugs (continued)
• Why use?
o Self-medicate
o Stress
o Fit in
o Of those who use, most don’t know why they use
o Most adolescents do not use
Alcohol
• 30% of 8th graders; 54% of 10th graders; 69% of 12th graders
report having used alcohol (www.monitoringthefuture.org)
• 13% of 8th graders; 35% of 10th graders; and 54% of 12th
graders said they have been drunk at least once in their
lifetime. (www.monitoringthefuture.org)
Alcohol (continued)
Risks:
• Lowers inhibition which can lead to reckless behavior
• Inhibits judgment
• Impacts brain development
• Illegal under 21
• Intensify depression
• Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning and death
• Addictive
Tobacco
• 16% of 8th graders; 28% of 10th graders; 40% of 12 graders
report having used tobacco (www.monitoringthefuture.org)
• Tobacco products most used:
1. cigarettes
2. cigars
3. electronic cigarettes
(National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) 2012 (in Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report, No. 15, 2013)
Tobacco (continued)
Risks:
• Nicotine addictive
• Cancer
• Lung diseases
• Using substance to relax instead of healthy strategies?
Electronic Cigarettes
• 2.7% of middle school students report having used an
electronic cigarette (www.cdc.gov)
• Looks like cigarettes, pipes, cigars, pens, or flash drives
• Cartridges filled with nicotine, flavors and other chemicals,
turn nicotine and other chemicals into a vapor which is
inhaled (vaping)
• No age restrictions (some states) and available on the internet
• Marketed to teens – flavors chocolate, strawberry
• Teens (and adults) believe it’s safe
Electronic Cigarettes (continued)
Risks:
• Nicotine is addicting
• Often use much more nicotine than a cigarette
• Users may expose themselves to potentially toxic levels of nicotine
when refilling the cartridges. Cartridges could also be filled with
substances other than nicotine, thus possibly serving as a new and
potentially dangerous way to deliver other drugs
• Vapor has been shown to have toxic chemicals (chemical used in
anti-freeze)
• Not overseen by FDA therefore ingredients are not regulated
(http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electroniccigarettes-e-cigarettes)
Marijuana
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15% of 8th graders; 34% of 10th graders; 45% of 12th graders report use
(www.monitoringthefuture.org)
Risks:
• Mind altering
• May trigger underlying psychiatric/emotional issues
Chronic users:
• Negative impact on learning and memory
• Study indicated that people who began smoking marijuana heavily in their
teens lost as much as 8 points in IQ between 13yrs and 38yrs and the lost
cognitive abilities were not restored when they stopped using as adults
• Increase risk of heart attacks (marijuana affects heart rate, and rhythms
causing palpations and arrhythmias)
• Respiratory problems
• Some adolescents have exhibited depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation
• Lack of motivation
(http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana)
Synthetic Marijuana
• Sold under many names, including Spice, K2, Fake
Weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks, and others
• Labeled "not for human consumption" — these products
contain dried, shredded plant material and chemical
additives that are responsible for their psychoactive
(mind-altering) effects
• Supposed to produce experiences similar to marijuana
• Illegal – but chemicals changed regularly
(www.monitoringthefuture.org)
Synthetic Marijuana (continued)
Risks:
• rapid heart rate
• vomiting
• agitation
• confusion and hallucinations
• elevated blood pressure
• reduced blood supply to the heart and heart attacks.
Inhalants
• 12% of 8th graders; 10% of 10th graders; 7.9% of 12
graders report use (www.monitoringthefuture.org)
• Common substances found at home and work:
◦Glue, markers, spray aerosols, paint, gasoline
• Inhale through the nose or mouth (huffing)
Inhalants (continued)
Risks:
• Most abused inhalants depress the central nervous system (like
alcohol) and cause slurred speech, lack of coordination,
euphoria, dizziness, drowsy and headache. May feel less
inhibited
• High doesn’t last long so they keep inhaling
• Short term risks:
◦nausea, vomiting, death – heart failure,
suffocation
• Long Term risks:
◦liver and kidney damage, brain damage,
neurological problems
Over-the-Counter and
Prescription Drugs
• Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are, after
marijuana and alcohol, the most commonly abused
substances by Americans 14 and older
(http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-overcounter-medications)
• The classes of prescription drugs most commonly abused are:
opioid pain relievers, such as Vicodin or Oxycontin; stimulants
for treating ADHD, such as Adderall, Concerta, or Ritalin; and
central nervous system depressants for relieving anxiety, such
as Valium or Xanax
• The most commonly abused OTC drugs are cough and cold
remedies containing dextromethorphan
• Easily available – friends, family, medicine cabinets
Over-the-Counter and
Prescription Drugs (con’t)
Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Various Drugs for 8th-Graders, 10th-Graders, and 12th-Graders; 2013 (in percent)*
Drug
Time Period
8th-Graders
10th-Graders
12th-Graders
Any Prescription Drug
Past Year
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15.0
Amphetamine
Past Year
2.6
5.9
8.7
Adderall
Past Year
1.8
4.4
7.4
Ritalin
Past Year
1.1
1.8
2.3
Narcotics other than Heroin
Past Year
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7.1
Vicodin
Past Year
1.4
4.6
[5.3]
OxyContin
Past Year
2.0
3.4
3.6
Tranquilizers
Past Year
1.8
3.7
4.6
Over-the-Counter and
Prescription Drugs (con’t)
Risks:
• Teens often think that prescription and OTC drugs are safer
than illicit drugs
• When abused, prescription and OTC drugs can be addictive
and put abusers at risk for other adverse health effects,
including overdose—especially when taken along with other
drugs or alcohol
• Poor decisions and risky behavior
Energy Drinks
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Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar
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Energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, and usually include
vitamins, herbal supplements, sugars and guarana (a plant product
containing concentrated caffeine). Some of these additives may
increase the stimulant effect of the caffeine (SAMHSA Drug Abuse Warning
Network Report, January 10, 2013)
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Amount of caffeine in a bottle or can varies from 80 milligrams to more
than 500 milligrams. A 5oz. cup of coffee has 100 mg and a 12 oz. can of
soda has 50 mg (SAMHSA Drug Abuse Warning Network Report, January 10,
2013)
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Energy shots (‘5 Hour Energy’) are more concentrated forms of energy
drinks
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20,783 emergency room visits in 2011 were related to energy drinks
(SAMHSA Drug Abuse Warning Network Report, January 10, 2013)
Energy Drinks (continued)
Risks:
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Caffeine increases heart rate, blood pressure, speech rate, motor activity, attentiveness
and body temperature.
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Trigger undetected heart problems?
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Mixed with alcohol: Caffeine is a stimulant. Alcohol is a depressant. When the two are
mixed it does not make the person sober, it just makes them less aware of how drunk they
are. This can result in ingesting more alcohol and risking alcohol poisoning.
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Energy drinks and alcohol both raise blood pressure and mixing both can be extremely
dangerous to the heart.
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Before sports? Caffeine contributes to dehydration (University at Buffalo, Research
Institute on Addictions, Fall 2011).
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Children are more sensitive to the health effects of caffeine (University at Buffalo,
Research Institute on Addictions, Fall 2011).
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Caffeine is addicting.
Prevention
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Parents influence their teens
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Teens who believe their parents disapprove of underage drinking,
smoking or drug use are much less likely to engage in these risky
behaviors
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Talk to your teens!
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Let them know your values and beliefs
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Underage drinking and drug use is not a rite of passage
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Not every teen drinks or uses drugs
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Use current events, television, music to start the conversations
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Prevention involves substance abuse education and Asset building
Positive Parenting
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Active Parenting:
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Communication
Encouragement
Effective Problem Solving Skills
Setting Limits
Supervision
Know Your Child’s Friends
Communication
Good communication is the foundation of strong family relationships
• catches problems early
• supports positive behavior
• know what is happening in their children’s lives
Key steps:
• Give complete attention and if can’t, schedule a time to talk when you
can.
• Be aware of non-verbal communication
• Listen
• Use I statements and reflections
Control your actions
Assess and decide if you are too upset to continue
Leave the situation if you are too angry or upset
Make a plan to deal with the situation within 24 hours
Encouragement
• Consistent encouragement helps teens feel good about
themselves and confidence to try new activities, tackle
difficult tasks, develop new friendships and explore creativity
• Encouragement gives the messages:
◦You can do it (focus on their strengths and past
successes, problem solving steps)
◦You have good ideas (involve them in family plans,
encourage their opinions and feelings, family meetings)
◦You are important (remember what they have told you,
make time for them, display their work and recognitions,
letter of encouragement)
Encouragement (continued)
Encouraging words:
• “I know that wasn’t easy”
• “Keep on trying”
• “I can tell that you’ve been practicing”
Discouragement:
• Sarcastic
• Negative about teen’s ability to be successful
• Comparing to others
• Taking over for your child
Effective Problem Solving Skills
Help teen learn the steps in effective problem solving through
Active Communication(Active Parenting):
1. Listen Actively
2. Listen for feelings
3. Identify the problem (teen)
4. Explore alternatives/evaluate consequences (teen)
5. Offer encouragement
6. Follow up
Setting Limits
• Active Parenting – “freedom within limits”
• Limits expand as teen shows responsibility, effective decision
making
• Set rules, expectations and consequences before situations
arise
• Make sure teen is aware of rules and consequences. Helpful if
they have input
• Follow through with consequences if rules are broken, provide
encouragement when rules are followed
• Stay calm
Supervision
• Clear rules about friends, parties, house
• Communicate with other parents, teachers, school counselors
• Discuss family values about alcohol, tobacco and drug use
Know Your Child’s Friends
• Spend time getting to know their friends and parents
• Stay involved in your teen’s activities
• Talk to your child when you are concerned about their
behavior or their friends’ behavior
Summary
• Keep talking to your teens!
• Keep talking to other parents!
• Stay informed!
• Don’t give in to peer pressure!
• Build Assets!
Resources
• Active Parenting of Teens, Leader’s Guide, 3rd Edition, 2009
• Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Abuse:
www.Monitoringthefuture.org
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), September 6,
2013, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov
• National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) 2012, Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), November 15, 2013, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): www.drugabuse.gov
• SAMHSA Drug Abuse Warning Network Report, January 10,
2013
• University at Buffalo, Research Institute on Addictions, Fall 2011