Substance Abuse Treatment for Adolescents

Substance Abuse Treatment for Adolescents Why it is not treating just younger adults Training Agenda the trends in adolescent substance abuse? Nationally and Locally?  How is adolescent substance abuse different from adult substance abuse?  How are substance abusing teens different from non-using teens?  What is substance abuse?  Are there signs I can be looking for?  What are Training Agenda (continued) there gender differences in substance use?  Once I identify the signs, then what do I do?  If I have other questions, where do I go?  Are National Statistics is the leading cause of death for 14-24 year olds  Alcohol is the leading cause in • 40% of all suicides • 50% of all traffic accidents • 54% of all violent crimes • 60% of all Emergency Room admissions • 72% of all college rapes • 80% of all domestic crimes  Alcohol The “Average Kid” Nationally and Statewide 1. 2. 3. 4. Alcohol Marijuana (very close second) Nicotine Prescription medication What Maine Teens in Treatment Report Northern Maine AroostookPiscataquisPenobscotmarijuana, alcohol and oxycontin marijuana, alcohol and oxycontin marijauna, alcohol, and oxycontin Coastal Maine WashingtonHancockoxycontin alcohol, marijuana and oxycontin alcohol, marijuana and cocaine, heroin, methadone, WaldoKnox- maijuana, alcohol, methadone, oxycodone, and other narcotics alcohol, marijuana, oxycodone, oxcontin, and other narcotics Central Maine LincolnKennebecSagadahocstimulants alcohol, marijuana, methadone and other narcotics marijuana, alcohol and heroin marijuana, alcohol, oxycontin, hallucinogens, amphetamines, marijuana, alcohol and heroin (crack and methamphetamine rise) Androscogginon the Western Maine SomersetFranklinOxfordmarijuana, alcohol and oxycontin alcohol, marijuana, and oxycodone marijuana,alcohol cocain and heroin Southern Maine Cumberland- York- marijuana, alcohol and heroin marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine What has lost its “cool”? Flips in State Problem Drug How the times have changed Public school teachers rate the top disciplinary problems 1940      1990       Talking out of turn Chewing gum Making Noise Running in the halls Cutting in line Dress-code violations Littering    Drug Abuse Alcohol Abuse Pregnancy Suicide Rape Robbery Assault Reality or Misconception? In order to be an addict or an alcoholic, your substance use must span several years. Misconception  For young people, it takes less time to become addicted or dependent bottom” is very different for people-it is not about time, but about experience.  “Rock Alcoholism and drug addiction progress in similar ways in both adults and adolescents Misconception  Teens’  Early Brains and organs are developing onset of drugs  Combination More than a ¼ of all alcohol consumed is by those under the age of 20 Reality  http://www.dr.greene.com Drinking is more common in the southern states than in the New England states Misconception England spends 22% more on alcohol than any other band of states in the United States  2.18 gallons per person over 14  New It is harder to tell when an adolescent is having difficulty with substance use than when an adult is Reality      Teens- determination of mental health or substance abuse issues Teens are developing and changing “life sucks” – very rarely come out and say why “life sucks” Societal norm? Rite of Passage? Exaggeration of problems, so it is hard to determine the true extent Adolescents are more likely to use after quitting than adults are Reality  Adolescents relapse at a much higher rate than adults  42% of adolescents who complete inpatient treatment stay sober during a year of treatment compared to 66% of adults. Parents and other adults have a powerful impact on adolescent substance use Reality  Developmental  stage identify themselves apart from the familywhile still looking to family and other adult role models for direction in doing this Developmentally  Freud  believed in 2 stages Latency and Genital  Erikson believed in 3 stages  Industry vs. inferiority  Identity vs. role confusion  Intimacy vs. isolation So What? yo learn to succeed in their environment-if environment doesn’t allow that, child gives up  12-18 yo build on earlier experiences to define self-if it can’t happen, identity, career and roles performed in adulthood must change  18-25 yo desire strong relationships-if they don’t know self, have little to share  7-11 Same Difference Using Teens   Non-Using Teens        “stop where they start” Have limited coping skills “Chaos” is comfortable Must be “high” to feel balance Thrill seeking to extremes-no boundaries  Develop within stages Learning and testing out new coping skills Figuring it out is half the fun Occasional Adrenaline rushes bring balance Thrill seeking within boundaries set Do we all “USE” “Stages” of use  Stage     1- Potential for Abuse     Do parents use? Do they have older siblings that use? Can they get it easily? Are there mental health issues? Has there been or is there abuse issues? Are their self-esteem issues? Do they feel like a “misfit”? Is there a family history? What is supervision like?  Stage   2- Experimentation   “Testing the waters” Asking lots of questions Trying to associate with others who have questions THIS IS A SHORT STAGE-you either like it and advance to next stage or stop  Stage   3- Use to Preoccupation with Use  Will start to possess paraphernalia Spends more time with friends that use Starting to see signs of poor grades, decrease in extra-curricular activities, increase in irritability, poor relationships with authority figures and friends that don’t use  Stage   4- Addiction    Compulsion to use substances Plans activities around substance use Will chose substance use over family or friends who do not use preoccupation with procuring Physically -signs of not eating or sleeping well  Stage   5-Deterioration of Self     Physically Emotionally Spiritually Intellectually Socially Financially Is there a Problem? SIGNS – THE A B C’s A B C Academics and Activities? Behavior? Changes in Habits? Demeanor and Mood? Energy? D E F Friends? Sometimes the signs are not as clear Some Physical Symptoms         Bloodshot eyes Dull-looking/glazed eyes Watering eyes Drowsiness Manic/hyper behavior Runny nose Coughing Needle marks        Weight loss Constant desire for junk food Malnutrition Some form of acute acne Tremors Hallucinations Delusions Some Behavioral Symptoms        Irresponsible behavior Argumentative Lack of motivation Solitary behavior Doesn’t want to be home Non-participation New friends     Forgetfulness Lying Changes in speechrapid, slowed, slurred Legal problems Other Symptoms        Secretiveness Falling grades Truancy Car accidents Fascination with light Auditory (hearing) problems Use of eye drops      Use of mouthwash, mints, gum, PButter Odd small containers Charm necklaces White specks on nostrils or clothing Frequent trips to the bathroom or locker Bottom Line  Adolescents perceive themselves as invincible. They can control everything. If they feel that you are trying to take control of there lives, they will minimize their need for that to happen….but secretly they want you to figure it out. Does Gender play a role too? GIRLS VS. BOYS What Do They Do? By Gender Girls  Alcohol  Tobacco  Prescription Drugs Boys  Alcohol  Marijuana  Tobacco Why do they do it?  Girls   Boys     Their significant others are using They are trying to escape trauma- past or present They are trying to feel better about themselves  Their friends are using It heightens the “nerve” factor They are trying to make others feel better about them So When Do We Do Something? an adult…always admonish use-NO TOLERANCE!  If you have noticed any of the warning signs for more than a month  If another adolescent, community member or a parent comes to you for help  Obviously, if the adolescent comes to you directly  As What Do We Do? with your school policy  Increase your knowledge of the problems and the dangers  Once you have ID’d the problem-consult with school or community counselor  Really talk to teens-without judgment  Look for ways drug and alcohol abstinence will benefit them  Seek help-together  Check Things to Remember to the teen when they are not under the influence  Speak in straight forward manner and language  Do not shame, blame or humiliate  Describe your observations-focus should be on teen not you  Start early, and keep it up  Talk  Scare tactics do not seem to work with teens  Mentoring programs have not been proven useful in all situations  DARE programs have not been proven useful CONNECTION IS THE BEST PREVENTION FOR ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE MORE QUESTIONS? Michelle Inman LCSW, LADC Maine Office of Substance Abuse Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist 207-287-2297 michelle.inman@maine.gov Resources Statewide Information and Resource Center 1-800-499-0027 http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/bds/osa/ Other Helpful Resources…  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)  http://www.samhsa.gov http://csat.samhsa.gov   Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)  The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center  http://www.udetc.org Continued…  Alcohol and Other Health Risks  http://www.hopenetworks.org http://www.erowid.com http://www.health.org     Drug interaction and information  Drug and Prevention information  Drug Prevention Best Practice  http://blueprintsconference.com http://www.dancesafe.org Drug and Rave information 