Adolescent Substance Abuse: Faces and Prevention Strategies
Presented by David
R. McDuff, M.D.
Risk
Factors: positive family history of substance problems,
family violence or child abuse, lack of adult supervision, childhood
aggression, lack of problem-solving skills, sensation/thrill
seeking/risk taking tendencies, compulsiveness, depression,
learning problems, peer rejection, lack of commitment to school,
school failure, & early (middle school) tobacco/alcohol
use.
Protective
Factors (individual personality style): insight, independence,
positive relationships,
initiative, creativity, humor, & morality.
Protective
Factors (family/social network): celebrations (holidays,
weddings, funerals, graduations), traditions (vacations, anniversaries,
birthdays, reunions, extended family contact), established routines
(dinners, bedtime, leisure), strong ties to a cultural heritage,
positive adult role models & mentors, and special hobbies.
Reasons
Adolescents Use Substances: relieve boredom, feel good,
forget troubles, relax, have fun, satisfy curiosity, take risks,
ease pain, feel grown up, show independence, look cool, fit
in
Use/Abuse
Warning Signs: sudden changes in mood or attitude,
sudden drop in school/work attendance or performance, sudden
resistance to discipline at home or school, unusual temper flare-ups,
increased borrowing of money, stealing, secrecy about actions
or possessions, associated with a new group of friends (especially
one that uses alcohol/other drugs)
| Abuse
Screening Test (RAFFT): |
Relax
(uses substances to relax, feel better, or fit in) |
(positive
if the answer to any
question is yes)
|
Alone (uses substances when alone) |
|
Friends (closest friends regularly
use substances) |
| Family
(close family member has a substance problem) |
|
Trouble (trouble from drinking or
other drug use) |
Parental Prevention Strategies: know
your family substance history & tell your children, evaluate
your own tobacco, alcohol & other drug use and its message
to your children, make time for each child, set clear expectations
for substance use and other risky behaviors, let your kids know
they can talk to you about anything, expose your children to
various activities to develop their interest (sports, art, music,
reading, drama, etc), help them feel part of the school by attending
activities with them, teach them to make independent decisions,
teach them effective ways to deal with frustration & stress,
teach them to be skeptical of sales pitches/advertisements,
know your children’s friends & talk to them, communicate
your values.
Family
Prevention Strategies: let family members know you
love them, take all family members’ concerns seriously,
make time for fun, establish or renew family traditions, hold
family meetings to problem-solve or plan activities, limit TV,
foster strong family bonds, and openly talk about tobacco, alcohol,
and other drugs.
Adolescent
Substance Use/Abuse For 2004 (used in last year)
| |
8th
Graders |
10th
Graders |
12th
Graders |
| Any
Alcohol |
37% |
58% |
71% |
| Been
Drunk |
15% |
35% |
52% |
| Any
Marijuana |
12% |
28% |
34% |
| Any
Other Illicit Drugs but Weed |
8% |
14% |
21% |
| Ihalants |
10% |
6% |
4% |
| Hydrocodone
|
3% |
5% |
9% |
| Amphetamines |
5% |
9% |
10% |
| Current
Cigarette Smoker |
9% |
16% |
29% |
