Warning Signs of Teen Drug Problems and Substance Abuse
While experimenting with drugs doesn't automatically lead to drug abuse, early use is a risk factor for developing more serious drug abuse and addiction. Risk of drugs also increases greatly during times of transition, such as changing schools, moving or divorce. The challenge is to distinguish between the normal, often volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red flags of substance abuse. These include:
For more information visit: http://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/Alcohol/Warning-Signs
- Having bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
- Skipping class, declining grades, suddenly getting into trouble at school
- Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions
- Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, angry or depressed
- Dropping one group of friends for another, being secretive about the new peers group
- Loss of interest in old hobbies, lying about new interests and activities
- Demanding more privacy, locking doors, avoiding eye contact, sneaking around
For more information visit: http://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/Alcohol/Warning-Signs
When It Becomes a Problem
For Parents: Discovering when your child is using drugs can generate fear, confusing and anger in parents. It is important to remain calm when confronting your teen and only do so when everyone is sober. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your concerns come from a place of love. It is important that your teen feels you are supportive
5 Steps parents can take:
1. Lay down the rules: your teen should understand that using drugs comes with specific consequences. Don't make hollow
threats or set rules you cannot
2. Monitor your teen's activity: Know where your teen goes and who he or she hangs out with. It is also important to routinely
check potential hiding places for drugs ( in backpacks, between book shelves, in DVD cases or make ip case, etc.).
Explain to you teen that this lack of privacy is a consequence of him being caught with drugs.
3. Encourage other interests and social activities: expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports
and after school clubs.
4. Talk to you child about underlying issues: Drug use can be the result of other problems. Is your child fitting in? Has there
been recent major change, like a move or divorce which is causing stress?
5. Get help: Teenagers often rebel against their parents but if they hear the same information from different authority figures,
they may be more inclined to listen. Try a sports coach, therapist or drug counselor.
Older teens have already had to make decisions many times about whether to try drugs or not. Today's teens are savvy about drug use, making distinctions not only among different drugs and their effects, but also among trial, occasional use, and addiction. They witness many of their peers using drugs, some without obvious or immediate consequences, other whose drug use gets out of control.
To resist peer pressure, teens need more than a general message not to use drugs. They need to hear a parent's assertion that anyone can become a chronic user or addict and that e ben non-addictsd use can have serious permanent consequences.
Because most high school students are future oriented, they are more likely to listen to discussions of how drugs can ruin chances of getting into a good college, being accepted by the military or being hired for certain jobs. Teenagers tend to be idealistic and enjoy hearing about ways they can help make the world a better place. Tell you teens that drug use is not a victimless crime, and make sure they understand the effect that drug use has on our society.
It is important that parents praise and encourage teens for all the things they do well and for the positive choices they make. Knowing they are seen and appreciated by the adults in their lives is highly motivating and can shore up their commitments to avoid drug use. Your teen may also be impressed by the importance of serving as a good role model for a younger sibling.
Taken from: Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition, [email protected]
For adolescents: When the people we care about and have lots in common with make bad choices, it can be frustrating, confusing, and a little depressing. Still, we should be there for our friends, and also try to be a good role models for them by making smart choices ourselves.
What to Do:
Taken from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/real-teens-ask-how-can-i-help-my-friend
For more information visit: http://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/underage-drinking/
5 Steps parents can take:
1. Lay down the rules: your teen should understand that using drugs comes with specific consequences. Don't make hollow
threats or set rules you cannot
2. Monitor your teen's activity: Know where your teen goes and who he or she hangs out with. It is also important to routinely
check potential hiding places for drugs ( in backpacks, between book shelves, in DVD cases or make ip case, etc.).
Explain to you teen that this lack of privacy is a consequence of him being caught with drugs.
3. Encourage other interests and social activities: expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports
and after school clubs.
4. Talk to you child about underlying issues: Drug use can be the result of other problems. Is your child fitting in? Has there
been recent major change, like a move or divorce which is causing stress?
5. Get help: Teenagers often rebel against their parents but if they hear the same information from different authority figures,
they may be more inclined to listen. Try a sports coach, therapist or drug counselor.
Older teens have already had to make decisions many times about whether to try drugs or not. Today's teens are savvy about drug use, making distinctions not only among different drugs and their effects, but also among trial, occasional use, and addiction. They witness many of their peers using drugs, some without obvious or immediate consequences, other whose drug use gets out of control.
To resist peer pressure, teens need more than a general message not to use drugs. They need to hear a parent's assertion that anyone can become a chronic user or addict and that e ben non-addictsd use can have serious permanent consequences.
Because most high school students are future oriented, they are more likely to listen to discussions of how drugs can ruin chances of getting into a good college, being accepted by the military or being hired for certain jobs. Teenagers tend to be idealistic and enjoy hearing about ways they can help make the world a better place. Tell you teens that drug use is not a victimless crime, and make sure they understand the effect that drug use has on our society.
It is important that parents praise and encourage teens for all the things they do well and for the positive choices they make. Knowing they are seen and appreciated by the adults in their lives is highly motivating and can shore up their commitments to avoid drug use. Your teen may also be impressed by the importance of serving as a good role model for a younger sibling.
Taken from: Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition, [email protected]
For adolescents: When the people we care about and have lots in common with make bad choices, it can be frustrating, confusing, and a little depressing. Still, we should be there for our friends, and also try to be a good role models for them by making smart choices ourselves.
What to Do:
- Find out if your friend is experimenting with drugs, or if he may be addicted. Neither one is good—but you may need more support if your friend is addicted.
- Understand that addiction is a brain disease. Just like you wouldn’t expect someone with cancer to be able to heal herself without the help of a doctor, the right treatment, and support from family and friends, you can’t expect your friend to heal herself.
- Know that it is never easy for anyone to admit that they have a drug problem. You will need to be patient—and not give up easily.
- Listen, encourage, share, and support. Sounds easy right? But it’s so hard. Here are further tips and resources in a previous post we wrote titled “How to Help a Friend in Need.”
- It's tough having a friend with addiction issues. So, if you need some support, visit: http://www.alanon.alateen.org/.
- Just telling your friend that you’re concerned can be a big help. Your friend may not want to talk about it, and the effects that drugs have on the brain may keep him or her from “hearing” you or acting on your advice.
- Assure your friend you are there for her and that she is not alone. People with drug problems often have gotten in with the wrong crowd—and they don’t want to turn away from these so-called friends for fear of being alone.
- Suggest that he or she speak to a trusted adult who will keep it confidential. Maybe there’s a family friend who could help.
- Turn to a professional for immediate help if the problem looks to be too big for you to handle alone, or if you’re worried your friend may have suicidal thoughts that she could act on.
Taken from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/real-teens-ask-how-can-i-help-my-friend
For more information visit: http://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/underage-drinking/
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Resources
This directory includes agencies providing alcohol and substance abuse services in and around Putnam County. Please contact programs directly, or for further guidance, please call National Council on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam at 845-225-4646 or visit www.putnamncadd.org for more information.
Inpatient Treatment
Arms Acres
www.armsacres.com
845-225-3400/1-888-227-4641 75 Seminary Hill Rd. Carmel, NY 10512
Services offered: adolescent, men, women, family programs, detox, inpatient & outpatient services
Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism
www.mccaonline.com
1-203-792-4515 38 Old Ridgebury Rd. Danbury, CT 06810
ervices offered: long and short term care, adolescent, adult programs, detox
Phoenix House Academy
www.phoenixhouse.org
914-962-2491/212-831-1555 3151 Stoney St. Shrub Oak, NY 10588
Services offered: Adolescent rehab & high school
St.Christopher’s Inn
www.stchristophersinn-graymoor.org
1-800-424-0027 21 Franciscan Way, Box 150 Graymoor -Garrison, NY 10524
Services offered: Men’s Shelter, day & evening, ambulatory detox, family program, men & women evening program, suboxone services
Turning Point at St. Francis Hospital
www.turningpoint@sfhhc.org
845-483-5100 241 North Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Services offered: Men, women’s programs, rehab, detox
Walter Hoving Home
www.walterhovinghome.com
845-424-3674 Box 194, Garrison, NY 10524 Services offered: Women only, long term care
Outpatient Treatment
Arms Acres
www.armsacres.org
845-225-5202 75 Seminary Hill Rd. Carmel, NY 10512
Services offered: Adolescent, men & women, family programs, detox, inpatient & outpatient services
Lexington Center for Recovery
www.lexingtonctr.org
914-666-6740 24 Smith Ave. Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Services offered: Children’s, adolescent, men and women’s day programs
Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism
www.mccaonline.com
1-203-792-4515 38 Old Ridgebury Rd. Danbury, CT 06810
Services offered: Men, women, family programs and outreach
Putnam Family & Community Services
http://www.pfcsinc.org
845-225-2700 x: 102 or x: 104
(intake) 1808 Route Six, Carmel, NY 10512
Services offered: Men, women’s programs, school & community based prevention programs, co-occurring disorders group
St. Christopher’s Inn
http://www.stchristophersinn-graymoor.org
1-800-424-0027 21 Franciscan Way, Box 150 Graymoor Garrison, NY 10524
Services offered: Men’s shelter, day and evening programs, ambulatory detox, family program, men & women’s evening program, suboxone services
Turning Point at St. Francis Hospital
http://www.turningpoint.org
845-483-5100 241 North Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Services offered: Adults, day rehab, day intensive
Self-Help
Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.putnamcountyaa.org
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
AL-ANON
http://www.hudsonestuaryalanon.org
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
The Children of Alcoholics Foundation
http://www.coaf.org
Cocaine Anonymous
http://www.ca.org
Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.ma-network.org
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM & OTHER
DRUG DEPENDENCIES, PUTNAM INC.
NCADD Putnam is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the public health issues of alcoholism and other drug addictions. We also raise awareness about alcohol and other drugs to prevent and reduce the incidence of alcoholism and substance abuse.
Inpatient Treatment
Arms Acres
www.armsacres.com
845-225-3400/1-888-227-4641 75 Seminary Hill Rd. Carmel, NY 10512
Services offered: adolescent, men, women, family programs, detox, inpatient & outpatient services
Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism
www.mccaonline.com
1-203-792-4515 38 Old Ridgebury Rd. Danbury, CT 06810
ervices offered: long and short term care, adolescent, adult programs, detox
Phoenix House Academy
www.phoenixhouse.org
914-962-2491/212-831-1555 3151 Stoney St. Shrub Oak, NY 10588
Services offered: Adolescent rehab & high school
St.Christopher’s Inn
www.stchristophersinn-graymoor.org
1-800-424-0027 21 Franciscan Way, Box 150 Graymoor -Garrison, NY 10524
Services offered: Men’s Shelter, day & evening, ambulatory detox, family program, men & women evening program, suboxone services
Turning Point at St. Francis Hospital
www.turningpoint@sfhhc.org
845-483-5100 241 North Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Services offered: Men, women’s programs, rehab, detox
Walter Hoving Home
www.walterhovinghome.com
845-424-3674 Box 194, Garrison, NY 10524 Services offered: Women only, long term care
Outpatient Treatment
Arms Acres
www.armsacres.org
845-225-5202 75 Seminary Hill Rd. Carmel, NY 10512
Services offered: Adolescent, men & women, family programs, detox, inpatient & outpatient services
Lexington Center for Recovery
www.lexingtonctr.org
914-666-6740 24 Smith Ave. Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Services offered: Children’s, adolescent, men and women’s day programs
Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism
www.mccaonline.com
1-203-792-4515 38 Old Ridgebury Rd. Danbury, CT 06810
Services offered: Men, women, family programs and outreach
Putnam Family & Community Services
http://www.pfcsinc.org
845-225-2700 x: 102 or x: 104
(intake) 1808 Route Six, Carmel, NY 10512
Services offered: Men, women’s programs, school & community based prevention programs, co-occurring disorders group
St. Christopher’s Inn
http://www.stchristophersinn-graymoor.org
1-800-424-0027 21 Franciscan Way, Box 150 Graymoor Garrison, NY 10524
Services offered: Men’s shelter, day and evening programs, ambulatory detox, family program, men & women’s evening program, suboxone services
Turning Point at St. Francis Hospital
http://www.turningpoint.org
845-483-5100 241 North Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Services offered: Adults, day rehab, day intensive
Self-Help
Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.putnamcountyaa.org
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
AL-ANON
http://www.hudsonestuaryalanon.org
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
The Children of Alcoholics Foundation
http://www.coaf.org
Cocaine Anonymous
http://www.ca.org
Marijuana Anonymous
http://www.ma-network.org
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM & OTHER
DRUG DEPENDENCIES, PUTNAM INC.
NCADD Putnam is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the public health issues of alcoholism and other drug addictions. We also raise awareness about alcohol and other drugs to prevent and reduce the incidence of alcoholism and substance abuse.