In treating addiction we can take a one-sided approach and only deal with the people currently abusing drugs or, as a society, we can address and deal with the prevention as well.
As a culture we want fast results - instant cures that can fix whatever problem we are having. We often don't address the cause of the issue and often find ways to manage the side effects through medication since there is a pill for almost everything. With our current culture that has us in a go-go-go mode, why wouldn't we expect our youth to gravitate towards pills as a quick fix as well? Seventy-five percent of the teens we start working with are legally prescribed medication for something. After six months of counseling, more than 60 percent are no longer taking medication and their lives are in a better place.
We don't have a miracle cure! Rather, what we do is what parents should do prior to allowing medication to be prescribed - learn why the kids are complaining of the symptoms; what factors are really at play, and is medication the first, and sadly often the only, step taken. Society tends to go to the final stages because it's the easier path.
The most common complaints from teens are they are over-stressed, depressed, can't focus at school and can't sleep. All these symptoms are treated with basically two types of drugs - central nervous system depressants like pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), diazepam (Valium) alprazolam (Xanax); and stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta) and amphetamines (Adderall). Excluding pain medications, these are the highest rate of abuse drugs there are for teens.
Past generations would have a hard time accepting kids who say 'I'm sorry, I just can't do that today as I'm really stressed.' or 'Working today isn't an option as I can't focus.' Part of the issue is that we have conditioned kids to know the buzzwords to get the quick fixes plus it's easier to give them a pill than to possibly change the family lifestyle.
Diet and nutrition are key components in a healthy brain. How many of the parents have consulted a nutritionist or even researched healthy nutrition-based approaches for focus or depression? I actually see parents stopping at 7-Eleven to get an energy drink as they drive their kid to the doctor's office for an ADHD appointment. How much exercise is your child actually getting? Video games and computer time are not a substitute for physical activity. Are there schedules in place as a family that add structure and give children a healthy sense of balance? Allowing free time is important, but so is a set routine that as adults we all have to face.
Kids are given medication each day by their parents yet, at the same time, are told that drugs, especially prescription drugs, are dangerous. How are teens supposed to understand the difference? I'm an adult and honestly sometimes don't understand why it is acceptable for a 16-year-old to be given a depressant like Xanax because he's feeling the pressure of homework.
Medication can be the puzzle piece that helps someone have a better life, but it comes with a cost. If you have tried all other means of helping your teen, then medication may be the best option. Do everything you can to make medication a last resort -healthier food choices, exercise, establish a schedule and learn how to properly relax at the end of the day. Whatever you decide, make sure and ask yourself 'have I tried all other options before refilling that prescription?'
Wooton is director of Pacific Treatment Services and co-author of 'Bring Your Teen Back From The Brink.' Website: PacificTreatmentServices.com. Short URL: http://ift.tt/1v0Xx8a
Posted by Steve Dreyer on Sep 24 2014. Filed under Columnists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
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