Substance Use In Adolescents

I recently had the chance to chat with and listen to a seminar delivered by Dean Nicholson around substance use and sexual abuse.  Nicholson is the administrator of East Kootenay Addiction Services in Cranbrook BC. He recently conducted award winning research surrounding substance use and sexual abuse in youth.

Before diving too deep into his results, it is important to outline that drug and alcohol use occur on a spectrum. To start, there are none users. Next isexperimental users, this is 1-3 uses of a particular substance. Moving along there is social/recreational users. This means that usage occurs less than once a week, and the reasons for using are for socializing with peers. These levels are completely normal for adolescents to use. It should be noted that in these categories use typically occurs on weekends.

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Read the rest at Notes on Parenting.

Ground Breaking Stats on Teen Substance Abuse

East Kootenay Addiction Services Society has uncovered (something known to front-line workers) a connection between childhood abuse and substance use.  Read the article here.  This is a news item I plan on covering more of in the near future.

It should be noted that this research poster also has won an award.  It is getting it's recognition.

We're failing our most vulnerable

I found this article, We're Failing Our Most Vulnerable in the National Post today.  I felt it took a different spin compared to my blog post on Failing our Children.

While I agree with her last statement in this case:

The people and agencies who failed the youngsters have learned bugger all. Why are they still charged with protecting children when the guy in the trailer or apartment next door is better at it?

I do disagree that the fault is primarily the government, ministers and workers.  I do believe more responsibility falls on the families, if not the parents, than the uncles, aunts, grandparents, who usually when their sibling or child succumbs to addiction and can't raise the child rarely does anyone step up to the plate.

Nonetheless, it is an interesting read.

Explanations for alcohol and drug Experimentation

Why do you think teenagers start doing drugs? Or drinking? Or other self-harming behaviors? I agree (with you), some do engage in it just for experimentation, or for thrill seeking. However, there are those who do it to ease troubles, numb pains, and to cover up struggles.

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Read the rest at the News Optimist.

YouTube: Climbing Rehab

Find more videos like this on AMCAP

Article Recommendation: Escape from Nicotine Hell

A friend showed me this article. It is a great read.