09-15-2024 GAR - Flipbook - Page 17
A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Sunday, September 15, 2024
the drugs belong to a friend.
There could also be money missing from a common stash in the
household, without explanation.
The child could be dressing abnormally – with long sleeves and long
pants during a 95-degree heat wave
– in an attempt to hide burn marks
or track marks.
“The most reliable signs are that
the adolescent or teenager becomes
more and more detached from what
was their usual life across different
domains, which includes friends,
parents, grandparents, family members and teachers,” Gautam adds.
Talking to Your Teens
About Substance Abuse
If a parent suspects their child is
misusing substances, Gautam’s first
suggestion is to accept that this is
not their fault, so they do not feel
guilty or blame themselves.
“We call it a mental thermometer
to see where they are in terms of
how they are experiencing this with
their child,” he says. “They need
to check in with themselves before
they check in with the child.”
Then, they should acknowledge
that there is hope that the situation
will get better, that there will be recovery.
Talks with the teen should begin
with an expression that there is concern. Cite the drop in grades during
the school year. Note that the child
no longer wants to participate in
family activities. This needs to occur in a non-judgmental, empathetic
manner, noting that substance misuse is traumatizing for the user as
well as the family.
“It’s actually the most traumatizing for the person themselves,” Gautam explains, noting that they are
more likely to share their problems if
they are in a comfortable space with
their parents. “This is an opportunity to engage with them. ‘Hey, thank
you for sharing that. I can only
imagine how hard it must be for you,
but let’s see how we can work on
this together.’ That will make them
feel supported.”
Pistorio suggests being direct and
honest is the proper way to steer a
discussion with a teen who is using.
“Don’t be afraid to say, ‘Are you using drugs?’ ‘Are you using marijuana?’ Are you using alcohol?’”
Sometimes, parents need to turn
to others for help. The child may
feel more comfortable with an older cousin, or uncle or even a sibling.
There are also public health agencies that can provide support.
The bottom line is, it’s never too
soon to talk to your kids.
“The reality is kids younger and
younger are getting a DUI, being
sent to treatment, or overdosing because of fentanyl or something of
that nature,” Pistorio warns. “Just
because you learned that your child
went to a party and used alcohol or
smoked marijuana, doesn’t mean
they need to go to treatment right
away. But have that conversation
– ‘I want you to be really honest
with how this progresses or doesn’t
progress.’ Or, ‘I want to be here if
you feel like you’re struggling with
that.’”
A Personal Story of
Substance Abuse
Juli Spencer’s son showed warning signs of substance misuse early,
while in high school. He participated in normal activities, drinking and
experimenting with marijuana. After a difficult freshman year locally,
he attended a boarding school eight
hours from home, and when she
saw him on breaks, she sensed he
was headed for trouble.
H. was kicked out of school and
moved home. Spencer, herself, was
drinking, and she sent him to be
with family in Wyoming. He attended college there but fell into similar
behaviors. He was charged with a
DUI and again moved home.
By then, Spencer was in recovery herself, feeling guilt and shame
about his choices in relation to hers.
Choose a brighter path. Avoid opioids.
Consider buprenorphine as a
treatment option for opioid misuse.
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