How To Talk To Your Child About Substance Use
There are many life talks that parents need to have with their teens, and substance abuse is one of the big ones. It is important for teens to understand the real risks and consequences of drug use. Teens are at the threshold of adulthood. Not children anymore, but not adults either. They crave independence and want to test boundaries as they begin to discover their identity
Outdoor Therapy for Teens with Substance Use Issues
One of the most common reasons teens experiment with substances is that they view substance use as a fun social activity that has the power to change their mood, which is particularly appealing to teens who struggle with low mood and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. Teens are more likely to look at rewards than to consider long-term consequences. For some
Getting Behind the Bottle: Help for Teen Alcohol Use
The teenage years are full of hormonal changes, desire to fit in, and peer pressures. This is a common period in which one gets invited to participate in risky behaviors such as consuming alcohol. Help for teen alcohol use can begin at home. However, the first step of helping is acknowledging that there is a problem. Why Are Teens Drinking? The reasons for which teens may
You Are Not Alone: Helping Your Adolescent Find Substance Use Treatment
While experimentation with substances is a common feature of identity exploration, it can become problematic when it interferes with daily functioning and relationships and can lead to later negative consequences and substance dependence. Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to get high out of curiosity or due to peer pressure and sensation seeking, but they also use drugs to numb emotional issues when they
Safety Last: The Dangers of Teen Vaping
In the 21st century, hardly anyone would argue that cigarettes and tobacco are bad. A widely acknowledged fact, the dangers of smoking have led to tobacco regulation. Unfortunately, however, there is a new criminal on the streets: teen vaping. Unlike regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes have a rather “harmless” reputation. Since they do not contain tobacco, many consider them to be a healthy replacement for smoking. Moreover,
Talking Drugs: Discussing Substance Use with Out of Control Teenagers
When is too much, in fact, too much? There are multiple strategies on discussing substance use with out of control teenagers. Some argue that honesty about your own experiences with substances (if such experiences exist) is an important step to connecting with your child. Others argue that discussing your own experiences sends the wrong message by legitimizing substance use in your child’s eyes. As with
It’s Fun Until Somebody Gets Hurt: Recognizing the Signs of Teen Alcohol Use
11% of all the alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed by those under 21 . The statistic isn’t based on college freshmen either: studies estimate that in the past month, 35% of high school students had some amount of alcohol – with 21% of the students binge drinking. If that wasn’t bad enough, 10% of high schoolers drove while drunk and 22% have
Getting that Perfect Score at a Price: Study Drugs
High school is stressful. Your teen juggles assignments, homework, quizzes, exams, extracurricular activities, family, and a social life. All of that can take a toll on a teenage brain. When someone offers a way to overcome it all--study drugs--it can be hard for a stressed out teen to say no. Recent studies have revealed that many teens are using “study drugs” to help them deal with all
Recovering from drugs and alcohol: Trails Phases program
Drugs and alcohol can tear apart a teen’s hopes of future success and happiness. Knowing how to help your teen work through their addiction can feel like an overwhelming task. Many therapeutic programs claim to help teens work through their addiction to drugs and alcohol, but only a few actually help. Seven Challenges is an evidence-based program listed in the SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-Based
Showing support: Trails Carolina observes National Recovery Month
Every year, millions of Americans are affected by some form of substance abuse. That’s why it’s so important to support National Recovery Month this September. Many young people dealing with substance abuse issues don’t understand that this is an issue that can stay with them for the rest of their lives. National Recovery Month recognizes the importance of helping young men and women struggling with