May/June/July 2007

What to watch for and do when you think your teenager is using drugs

TAP has seen an increase in the number of adolescents needing substance abuse treatment over the last five years. TAP receives calls from parents who suspect, or are certain, their teenager is using alcohol and/or drugs. Often, parents are not sure what drugs their child is using. Many inquire about how to have their teenager tested for drug use.

Substance abuse puts millions of adolescents at increased risk for alcohol- related and drug-related traffic accidents, risky sexual practices, poor academic performance, juvenile delinquency, and developmental problems. Teen use of most illicit drugs has held steady during the past few years, while adolescent drug abuse of methamphetamine and the dangerous club drug MDMA (Ecstasy) has increased among older teens.

Parents of teenagers should know that drugs today -- marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin -- are from two to ten times as powerful as they were when many of you were in high school.

Many teens begin drug use by raiding their parents' medicine cabinet for pain killers, tranquilizers or sedatives.

The statistics on adolescent alcohol and drug use are staggering. Among youth age 12 to 17, approximately one million are dependent on illegal drugs, and almost another million are dependent on alcohol. More than half of 12th graders have tried an illicit drug, and more than one-quarter have tried a drug other than marijuana, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and inhalants.

Although consumption of alcohol is illegal for people under 21, over 10 million current drinkers are age 12-20, half of whom engage in binge drinking. A teen who starts drinking alcohol at age 13 is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence during their lifetime than someone who starts at age 20. This makes sense, because changes in brain chemistry over time make it difficult for persons with addictive disorders to stop using drugs or alcohol despite their attempts to quit.

Perhaps the most telling statistic about drug availability was that 14 percent of 12-17 year olds reported being approached by someone selling illicit drugs during the past 30 days. By the time they reach age 17, more than half of adolescents know a drug dealer.

Breaking the addiction

The most important factors in preventing and recovering from substance abuse problems are early identification and immediate treatment intervention. Parents must be alert to changes in an adolescent's behavior and appearance that may signal substance abuse. In addition to direct evidence of drug/alcohol use such as odors or dug-related paraphernalia, the following behavior changes, when extreme or lasting for more than a few days, may indicate alcohol-related or drug-related problems and the need for further screening by a professional.

• Sudden changes in personality without another known cause
• Loss of interest in once favorite hobbies, sports, or other activities
• Sudden decline in performance or attendance at school or work
• Changes in friends and reluctance to talk about new friends
• Deterioration of personal grooming habits
• Difficulty in paying attention, forgetfulness
• Sudden aggressive behavior, irritability, nervousness, or giddiness

Good news for teens

For teenagers who cross the line from experimentation to abuse or dependence there is good news. Addiction treatment is as effective as treatments for other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. A national study of community- based treatment programs for adolescents found that reported weekly marijuana use dropped by more than half in the year following treatment. Clients also reported less heavy drinking, less use of hard drugs, and less criminal involvement. Other benefits included better psychological functioning, fewer emergency room visits, and overall better physical health.

However, as with other relapsing conditions, recovery from addiction is dependent on the availability of treatment, support, and may require multiple courses of treatment.

If you are insured through a TAP-participating Health and Welfare Fund and suspect that your child has a drug or alcohol abuse problem, contact TAP to conduct an evaluation of the child, at no cost.

TAP counselors recognize that screening and treating adolescents for substance abuse requires special consideration of the adolescent's individual experience and how it affects the nature and severity of his or her alcohol or drug use.

Not all adolescents who come to TAP are referred to substance abuse treatment. Every child's situation is different. Some are referred to residential treatment, some to outpatient programs. Others are directed to mental health professionals to deal with other primary problems, while some are given referrals to community resources.

TAP advises parents to be careful about relying exclusively on drug and alcohol tests as a way to determine if a teenager is using or as a deterrent.

The truth about drug testing is that many over-the-counter tests are available to parents but no drug test covers all the possible drugs of abuse. The standard 5-panel test would only detect some drugs of abuse. It would not detect the following drugs: any narcotic pain killer other than heroin, morphine or codeine (no vicodin, oxycotin, darvon, percodan), tranquilizers (including valium), sedatives (including tuinol or seconal), no hallucinogens (including LSD, ecstacy, peyote, psilocybin, or mescaline), inhalants or quaaludes. Even a test ordered by a physician may not cover all categories of drugs. Also, unless the urine collection is observed, there are many ways to overcome detection on a drug test. Testing is not a substitute for treatment, but it may be a part of a relapse prevention plan.

If you suspect that your son or daughter has an alcohol, drug, or other behavioral problem, or you are concerned that experimentation with drugs or alcohol may be starting, please call TAP at 510-562-3600 and ask to speak to a counselor.