In a study of nearly 5,000 teens and their parents, a group of researchers found strong connections between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors. The study collected data on alcohol use for teens at ages 14 and 17½, and similar data from parents.

"The study found that, among parental dimensions examined, monitoring and discipline played the strongest intermediary role in associations between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors. The researchers also found that the magnitude of this role was much stronger during early adolescence, while parental drinking had a stronger effect on teen drinking in later adolescence."

A rather surprising discovery was that increased discipline by parents actually led to increased alcohol consumption among older teens. Read more at Teen-Help-Directory.com.

Labels: influences, parents, role_models

"An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure" the old saying goes. But when dealing with teen drug and alcohol use, what exactly is an "ounce of prevention"? According to one columnist, it equates to a little parental nosiness.

"As more families trend toward everybody leading separate lives, it's become easier for children to lead secret lives. Research consistently indicates and alarming disconnect between parental perceptions of their children's drinking and drugging behavior, and the hidden underside of their children's lives."

Not only parents, but grandparents can get more involved in the lives of adolescents. Ask questions, spend time together, and find out as much as possible about who their friends are and what they do together. Read more at TheWorldLink.com.

Labels: communication, parents, privacy

Santa Barbara may become the fourth city in California to pass what's being called the Social Host Ordinance (SHO). This ordinance would hold parents or guardians accountable when underage drinking takes place at a party.

"First, a minimum of two people is considered a party. Second, a $1,000 fine will be charged to the host when minors are caught with alcohol. If the host is a minor, parents or guardians are held liable... Adults will be charged regardless of their knowledge of the event or of any intention of underage alcoholic possession or consumption."

The ordinance is still in a draft stage in Santa Barbara, but several organizations are already in support.

Want to learn more about parental liability? Read about Parental Liability for Underage Drivers at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: liability, parents, parties

As 2008 draws near, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America is asking parents to include "talk to my kids more" on their lists of resolutions. To help parents make and keep the resolutions, Partnership has launched the website TimeToTalk.org.

"TimeToTalk™ celebrates the positive influence parents have on the decisions their children make for themselves. With access to conversation starters and a supportive online parent forum, TimeToTalk.org empowers parents to take an active role in prevention."

The website also includes a list of suggested "resolutions" that parents could make in the new year, with regards to their kids: "be patient, not just tolerant", "ask teens what they need from you" and "keep the promises you make" are just some of the suggestions.

Labels: communication, influences, parents

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has offered suggestions to schools, parents and students for reducing substance abuse among young people. The Center has also released statistics on drug and alcohol-related issues.

"[For parents], Talk with your children about substance use from an early age and continue these conversations through college. Have a comprehensive discussion about substance use - its risks, your expectations, and the consequences you will enforce should they violate the rules - during the summer before their departure to college."

Statistics released by the Center include the following: 49 percent of full-time college students binge drink and/or abuse prescription and illegal drugs, 22.9 percent of full-time college students meet the medical criteria for substance abuse and dependence. The study also reports that these numbers have not significantly changed in the last twelve years.

Learn more about binge drinking and other types of teen drug use at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: awareness, parents, prevention

The common assumption with teens that are smoking or using alcohol or drugs is that the parents don't know what's going on. But a recent study has found that, in fact, nearly 3/4 of parents do know what their teens are doing.

"For a six-month reporting period, 82 percent of parents accurately evaluated the presence of teen cigarette smoking; the parents' reports corresponded with the teens' reports of their own smoking. Eighty-six percent of parents accurately evaluated the presence of teen alcohol use and 86 percent accurately reported the presence of teen marijuana use. However, only 72 percent of the parents in the RIA study accurately reported the presence of illicit drug use (other than marijuana) by teens."

The report sharply contrasts the prevailing belief that teen activity is not monitored or noticed by parents. The study did find, however, that parents were less likely to be aware of the activities of younger teens (14 or 15 years of age), and were also less aware if they were caught up with issues of their own like depression or substance abuse.

Visit ByParents-forParents.com for free parenting tips, advice, and help for parents of troubled teens.

Labels: communication, influences, parents

The debate rages on about whether it's beneficial or detrimental for parents to allow their underage kids to drink in their home. Some believe that allowing kids to drink at home, where their activity can be monitored, helps diminish alcohol's attraction because it's no longer considered "forbidden". But even if that method works (and there's evidence that it doesn't), law enforcement officials want to remind parents that there are still legal implications for providing alcohol to minors.

"...when a parent allows their teen to drink excessively or permits other peoples' teens to drink in their home, it becomes illegal. ‘A parent could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor or providing unsafe living conditions,' said Galesburg Police Capt. Lindsey May."

Additionally, in states like Illinois, felony charges could be filed against an adult who allows underage drinking that results in death or serious injury.

Read more about Parental Liability for Underage Drivers at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: liability, parents, underage drinking

Repeated efforts by various organizations and government agencies have outlined the many dangers of prescription drug abuse. Still, teens continue to ignore the warnings.

"Dr. Alan Barton, a Fort Mojave pediatrician, said in the past year he has seen an increase of young people abusing prescribed drugs such as OxyContin, which he said physicians falsely tout as less addictive. Barton said he has four female patients addicted to Soma, a pain reliever. His youngest patient is a 13-year-old who uses cough medicine and marijuana."

Parents, school administrators, doctors and nurses need to continue issuing warnings about prescription drug use. Parents should make sure their own medications are stored in a place that is inaccessible to their kids or their kids' friends.

Labels: awareness, parents, prescription_drugs

A new study by Health Canada concludes that parents tolerate drinking older teens but worry if their children start drinking before they are fifteen years old.

"A key transition point" occurs when young people enter high school, according to the authors of the study, which involved focus groups of teens and their parents in Winnipeg, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec and British Columbia.

The Health Canada report indicates that parents of older teens believe drinking is an acceptable part of their children's lives. A small number of parents buy alcohol and host drinking parties in their homes for their teenagers.

A good residential treatment center like SunHawk Academy can help with teen substance abuse.

Labels: alcohol, parents, underage_drinking

A recent survey conducted by national polling firm RT Strategies found that just 6% of parents are concerned about their kids abusing prescription medication. The finding was alarming, in light of other studies that have shown a dramatic increase in abuse of prescription drugs among teenagers.

"'We must raise awareness of these drug trends so parents realize that talking to their kids about drug abuse and prevention before heading back to school is on par with buying school supplies - both are necessary and will lay the foundation for a successful and healthy school year,' continued [Debbie] Moak."

The study also found that, though 80% of parents deny that prescription drugs are easily accessible in their home, over 10% of kids aged 12 to 17 have taken prescription drugs from a family member or friends' home. Read more at EMaxHealth.com.

Excel Academy offers programs for troubled teens that combine therapy and academics to help teenagers turn their lives around.

Labels: communication, parents, prescription_drugs

In response to its recent findings in its annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), Partnership for a Drug-free America has launched the Time to Talk ™ Campaign and web site. Both are intended to equip, empower, and encourage parents in their efforts discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol use with their teens.

TimeToTalk.org offers parents manageable resources to help them feel empowered to speak with their kids about living healthy lives and to motivate constant communication among family members. The new web resource not only helps parents start the conversation, but encourages them to sustain it over time by providing easy-to-use tools, tips, information and support to help parents feel much more at ease.

Studies have shown that kids who learn about the risks of drugs and alcohol are 50 percent less like to experiment with substance use. Read more at MedicalNewsToday.com.

Teen-Help-Directory.com offers information about teen drug and alcohol abuse. Learn more today.

Labels: communication, parents, prevention

Ashley Stanley doesn't blame her drug addiction on the fact that she was raised in a high-pressure suburban environment. Nor does she blame the loss of her childhood dream of being a soccer star. She says the reasons for her addiction are much more complex.

"But Ken and Caren readily admit they didn't want to see what was going wrong with their daughter as she struggled toward adulthood. Back then, the signs of trouble were too easy to rationalize, said the Stanleys."

The signs became impossible to ignore when Ashley, on a visit home from New York, broke down and told her father 'I need help.' She's been to rehab twice, admitting that she wasn't really ready to recover the first time. The second time, she agreed to on-going treatment and has since begun speaking publicly about her treatment, in an effort to raise awareness. Read more at MentalHopeNews.blogspot.com.

Learn more about the signs of teenage drug addiction and abuse at Adolescent-Substance-Abuse.com.

Labels: parents, signs, treatment

Those aren't words any parent wants to hear, but are exactly the words that a Michigan wife spoke to her husband about their teenage son. What followed were years of struggle; their son in and out of rehab, arrested, failing drug tests, and refusing to get the help he needed.

"My son became a liar and a con artist. That may seem redundant, but they are different. He conned the staff at the first in-patient rehab into believing he was road ready after only a week of treatment. Despite our protests, my wife and I had no say in the matter... He would tell us later he was thinking of using every minute he was there."

Today, their son is in his sixth rehab facility - this time it's a long-term inpatient facility that was mandated by the court. The father's advice is simple; don't believe it can't happen to your family. They didn't believe it could happen to theirs. Read more at Freep.com.

Not sure what to look for in an adolescent residential drug treatment center? Or what to expect? Learn more in the article "What Parents can Expect While Their Teen is in Residential Treatment" at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: parents, recovery, rehab

The Rockingham Coalition for Youth is working with the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission to warn parents and teens about the dangers of underage drinking. Presentations and drunk driving simulations have been used to show the dangers, but alternatives have been offered as well.

"[Lt. James] Wilson said with prom and graduation season now beginning it would be worthwhile to consider hosting chemical-free parties for youth to attend instead of leaving them to their own devices."

It's estimated that 65% or more of teens who drink get the alcohol from adults. And though some parents think that, since teens are going to drink anyway, it's better to offer them a controlled environment, experts warn that people who start drinking at a young age are much more likely to become addicted. Read more at SeacoastOnline.com.

Learn more about adolescent substance abuse and ways to help teens struggling with drug abuse at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: influences, parents, underage_drinking

When you talk about teen substance abuse, most people think of marijuana, cocaine, or even heroine. But alcohol is as common among teens as any other drug - maybe more - but it's often overlooked. Some don't think that underage drinking is a "big deal".

"Alcohol is a leading contributor to traffic fatalities, homicides, suicides, and all other accidents among people ages 15-24... Recent research tells us that alcohol consumption by young people damages the developing brain and contributes to the onset of adult drinking problems."

Surprisingly, some parents allow their children to drink at home, thinking it's safer to offer them a controlled environment where they can teach their kids to drink responsibly. Unfortunately, this approach more often increases the likelihood of dangerous behavior. Read more online.

Labels: alcohol, parents, underage_drinking

Most teenagers get their first alcoholic drink from their mother or father, according to a new study by the University of Florida and the University of Minnesota.

Researchers surveyed 4000 children ages 12 to 14 years old in Chicago between the years 2002 and 2005. About 17% of the 12-year-olds had consumed a full glass of alcoholic beverage within the past year – and a third reported that their parents had given them their drinks.

Author Kelli Komro said that the researchers suspected that teens first discover beer or hard liquor with friends, but that assumption proved false.

"It's important to educate parents about the consequences of the early onset of drinking, and to prevent them from being a source of alcohol for their children," she said.

This study appears in the April issue of Preventive Medicine.

If you, your teen, or someone you know is struggling with teen alcohol or drug abuse, there are lots of great resources online. Learn about teen alcohol drug abuse at drugrehabtreatment.com and ways for parents to help their teen with drug and alcohol abuse at byparents-forparents.com.

Labels: alcohol, parents, teenage_drinking

In recent years, drug testing has become an increasingly popular way for parents to find out if their kids are using drugs. However, Sharon Levy, an assistant profession at Harvard Medical School, says the test can be inaccurate.

"In 2001, her group started researching the reliability of these tests. In their most recent study, published in the April issue of Pediatrics, 12 percent of the teenagers in their [substance abuse] program who took tests for drugs such as marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and opiates had an initial false result."

Diluted samples are the most common cause for an inaccurate drug test. It seems to be a well-known fact that drinking lots of water before a drug test dilutes the sample enough to affect the test results. Some tests also come back with a false positive result, because the person is taking over-the-counter or prescribed medication. Read more at USNews.com.

Labels: drug testing, parents

Sober College, a private institution in South Carolina, has released a handbook that gives parents signs to watch for which indicate their child may be abusing drugs. The handbook also shares treatment solutions.

"'Everyday I am asked by parents if there is a way to really tell if their child is using and abusing drugs. The answer is a definitive YES!'"

Sober College released the handbook at a 'Bridging the Gap' meeting at Agoura High School. Read more online.

Labels: children, parents, signs

A recent study in Australia revealed that many of the high school students who tried alcohol got it from their parents. Of the students who said they had recently consumed alcohol, 37 percent said their parents provided the drink.

"Dr. Delyse Hutchinson, from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, says the figures are a concern, because research shows those who drink early are more likely to develop problems with alcohol later in life."

Some proponents say it's good to introduce alcohol to kids early, to reduce or remove the stigma of drinking - as is done in many European countries. But Dr. Hutchinson warns that the positive effects are largely overstated, and many of those countries have higher rates of alcohol abuse that we realize. Read more at ABC.net.au.

Labels: alcohol, parents, teenagers