Image from http://www.aamu.edu/admissions/fincialaid/importantinformation/pages/drug-and-alcohol-abuse-prevention.aspx
Definition
Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes.
Teacher/Parent Tips
Children living with an abuser can shows these signs:
High rates of absenteeism and
tardiness
Learning disabilities
Depression
Psychosomatic and physical ailments
Aggressive conduct
Problems with authority
Don’t counsel the child unless qualified to do so. Listen emphathetically.
Maintain a warm, open classroom environment
where students can feel safe
in bringing up difficult subjects.
If a student discloses a family substance
abuse problem, listen sympathetically.
Just listening, allowing him
or her to unburden the secret, can
help a great deal. Don’t act embarrassed
or show discomfort, as this will
discourage him or her from opening
up. Also, don’t criticize the parents or
defend them. Just listen as an understanding
adult.
Don’t actually counsel the student
unless you are trained to do so. But
you can convey the following important
messages:
Your parent’s substance abuse is
not your fault. You did not cause
it.
Addiction/alcoholism is a medical
disease. Your parent continues
using because of this disease, not
because he or she doesn’t love you.
You are not alone. There are millions
of other students with the
same problem.
You need to educate yourself
about this problem, and get help
dealing with it.
Refer the student to appropriate help.
If you have a confidential Student
Assistance Counselor in your school,
refer the student to him or her.
Otherwise, refer to another appropriate professional (social worker, guidance
counselor). Maintain a list of
appropriate referral sources, including
local Alateen meetings and agencies or
professionals in your community available
for kids to call.
PhotoDisc
Parent Tips:
Warning signs of teen drug abuse
While experimenting with drugs doesn’t automatically lead to drug abuse, early use is a risk factor for developing more serious drug abuse and addiction. Risk of drug abuse also increases greatly during times of transition, such as changing schools, moving, or divorce. The challenge for parents is to distinguish between the normal, often volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red flags of substance abuse. These include:
Five steps parents can take:
Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes.
Teacher/Parent Tips
Children living with an abuser can shows these signs:
High rates of absenteeism and
tardiness
Learning disabilities
Depression
Psychosomatic and physical ailments
Aggressive conduct
Problems with authority
Don’t counsel the child unless qualified to do so. Listen emphathetically.
Maintain a warm, open classroom environment
where students can feel safe
in bringing up difficult subjects.
If a student discloses a family substance
abuse problem, listen sympathetically.
Just listening, allowing him
or her to unburden the secret, can
help a great deal. Don’t act embarrassed
or show discomfort, as this will
discourage him or her from opening
up. Also, don’t criticize the parents or
defend them. Just listen as an understanding
adult.
Don’t actually counsel the student
unless you are trained to do so. But
you can convey the following important
messages:
Your parent’s substance abuse is
not your fault. You did not cause
it.
Addiction/alcoholism is a medical
disease. Your parent continues
using because of this disease, not
because he or she doesn’t love you.
You are not alone. There are millions
of other students with the
same problem.
You need to educate yourself
about this problem, and get help
dealing with it.
Refer the student to appropriate help.
If you have a confidential Student
Assistance Counselor in your school,
refer the student to him or her.
Otherwise, refer to another appropriate professional (social worker, guidance
counselor). Maintain a list of
appropriate referral sources, including
local Alateen meetings and agencies or
professionals in your community available
for kids to call.
PhotoDisc
Parent Tips:
Warning signs of teen drug abuse
While experimenting with drugs doesn’t automatically lead to drug abuse, early use is a risk factor for developing more serious drug abuse and addiction. Risk of drug abuse also increases greatly during times of transition, such as changing schools, moving, or divorce. The challenge for parents is to distinguish between the normal, often volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red flags of substance abuse. These include:
- Having bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils; using eye drops to try to mask these signs
- Skipping class; declining grades; suddenly getting into trouble at school
- Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions
- Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, angry, or depressed
- Dropping one group of friends for another; being secretive about the new peer group
- Loss of interest in old hobbies; lying about new interests and activities
- Demanding more privacy; locking doors; avoiding eye contact; sneaking around
Five steps parents can take:
- Lay down rules and consequences. Your teen should understand that using drugs comes with specific consequences. But don’t make hollow threats or set rules that you cannot enforce. Make sure your spouse agrees with the rules and is prepared to enforce them.
- Monitor your teen’s activity. Know where your teen goes and who he or she hangs out with. It’s also important to routinely check potential hiding places for drugs—in backpacks, between books on a shelf, in DVD cases or make-up cases, for example. Explain to your teen that this lack of privacy is a consequence of him or her having been caught using drugs.
- Encourage other interests and social activities. Expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports and afterschool clubs.
- Talk to your child about underlying issues. Drug use can be the result of other problems. Is your child having trouble fitting in? Has there been a recent major change, like a move or divorce, which is causing stress?
- Get Help. Teenagers often rebel against their parents but if they hear the same information from a different authority figure, they may be more inclined to listen. Try a sports coach, family doctor, therapist, or drug counselor.
Image from http://www.drugaddiction.org/drug-rehab-guide/
Children's Books
Wishes and Worries: Coping with a Parent Who Drinks Too Much Alcohol Hardcover – August 9, 2011
by Centre For Addiction And Mental Health (Author) , Lars Rudebjer (Illustrator
I Know the World's Worst Secret: A Child's Book about Living with an Alcoholic Parent (Hurts of Childhood Series) Hardcover
by Doris Sanford (Author) , Graci Evans (Author)
What Are Drugs? (A Drug-Free Kids Book) Paperback
by
Gretchen Super (Author) , Blanche Sims (Illustrator)
I Wish Daddy Didn't Drink So Much Library Binding
by Judith Vigna (Author)
Wishes and Worries: Coping with a Parent Who Drinks Too Much Alcohol Hardcover – August 9, 2011
by Centre For Addiction And Mental Health (Author) , Lars Rudebjer (Illustrator
I Know the World's Worst Secret: A Child's Book about Living with an Alcoholic Parent (Hurts of Childhood Series) Hardcover
by Doris Sanford (Author) , Graci Evans (Author)
What Are Drugs? (A Drug-Free Kids Book) Paperback
by
Gretchen Super (Author) , Blanche Sims (Illustrator)
I Wish Daddy Didn't Drink So Much Library Binding
by Judith Vigna (Author)
Agencies for parents
Finding help and support for drug addiction
call 800-570-4562
Finding help and support for drug addiction
- Call 1-800-662-HELP in the U.S. to reach a free referral helpline from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
call 800-570-4562
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Websites
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm
http://www.center-for-addiction-recovery.com/Alcohol-Rehab.asp
www.aa.org
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm
http://www.center-for-addiction-recovery.com/Alcohol-Rehab.asp
www.aa.org
An activity I can do in the classroom
An activity that I can do in the classroom for drugs and alcohol abuse is the DARE program. I did a program lie this when I was in elementary school it teaches kids about drugs and alcohol and how they can be dangerous to your health and they take a pledge at the end of the program that they will never smoke.
An activity that I can do in the classroom for drugs and alcohol abuse is the DARE program. I did a program lie this when I was in elementary school it teaches kids about drugs and alcohol and how they can be dangerous to your health and they take a pledge at the end of the program that they will never smoke.