Pubdate: Sat, 19 Apr 2008
Source: Marin Independent Journal (CA)
Copyright: 2008 Marin Independent Journal
Contact:  http://www.marinij.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/673
Author: Larry Fritzlan
Note: Larry Fritzlan directs Adolescent Recovery Services in Corte 
Madera (www.AddictionTherapist.com)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)

MARIN TEENAGERS, DRUGS AND WHY '420' SHOULD MATTER TO PARENTS

THIS IS THE sixth year that I have written about "420," the day that 
many teens will get high on marijuana, many for the first time. 420, 
pronounced "four-20," happens on April 20 and is for some teens the 
equivalent of Mardi Gras and New Year's Eve combined.

Two Marin families have written powerful books on the terror of their 
teen's substance abuse. "The Lost Years: Surviving a Mother and 
Daughter's Worst Years," by Kristina Wandzilak and her mother, 
Constance Curry and "Beautiful Boy," by father David Sheff, tell 
poignant stories of Marin teens who almost died from drug use.

Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases that usually start in the 
teen years. They are life-sabotaging and potentially fatal brain 
diseases. Scientists have known this for many years. Addiction to 
pot, Cannabis Dependence, is real.

Pot is the gateway to illegal drugs. It is readily available, grown 
locally and celebrated on 420. It is often quickly followed by 
equally available ecstasy, cocaine, and parents' drug-cabinet opiates 
(Vicodin, Codeine, OxyContin), Valium, and ADD medicines (speed).

Yes, Marin, some of your children are experimenting with the actual 
equivalents of heroin and meth and you may be the dealer.

An 18-year-old addicted to OxyContin ("heroin in pill form") told me 
"All the rich kids in Marin are addicted to this drug." A college 
student told me, "All the students take Adderall (an ADD medicine - 
speed in pill form) to do homework, lose weight and party."

Of course, not all students use these drugs or are in serious 
trouble. In fact, most students aren't, but it is a tragedy if any 
students are. We know that 10 percent to 15 percent of Marin teens 
already have begun the certain slow spiral that will lead to 
alcoholism or drug addiction at some point in their life.

Ten to fifteen percent. That's three to five kids in a class of 30.

Many parents are fed up and are saying drug and alcohol use is no 
longer an option. (One parent's response: "You can smoke pot, never 
more than once a month, but you have to agree to regular drug testing 
and to never use any other drugs - or else we see a drug counselor!")

Teen drug and alcohol treatment is very effective but it is not about 
talking to a teen. Teen drug treatment, as opposed to counseling, is 
about parents getting guidance on how to change their behaviors and 
how to set and maintain healthy limits and consequences for their 
teen. The teen is lovingly and respectfully given a choice: stop 
using drugs and have abstinence verified by a professional or we move 
you to a higher level of treatment. Try local treatment first; 
sending the problem away may be too simplistic.

Teens initially will resist but ultimately come to respect a parent 
who keeps them safe.

At 18, your child has become an adult and "parenting an adult" often 
leads to power struggles that preclude being effective about your 
teen's drug use.

Parenting after this point can be seen as emotional enabling.

It is best to get professional help before it becomes a downward 
spiral for both of you. To quote one interventionist, "When working 
with adults, you have to first totally collapse the codependent, 
enabling system before the addict will choose to change."

Addiction is easily treated. The problem is usually that the adult 
enablers are unaware of treatment resources or are in denial.

If you have teens, you might pay attention to where they are on April 
20. You might be surprised.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake