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The Opiate Crisis:  What Parents Need to Know

A person who starts using alcohol or other drugs before the age of 15 is five times as likely to develop a substance use disorder as person who starts at 21.


What Parents Need to Know
First, parents should educate themselves about opioids: what they are, how they work in the brain and body, risk factors for using them and how to spot signs of use.   Learn more here:  National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens  and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ Parent Drug Guide.  (Also: Managing pain after dental surgery: A guide and   Drug Slang)

It’s important to note the long-term effects that opioids can have on adolescents. 
Around puberty, the brain starts a massive restructuring process. Neural connections get stronger, helping adolescents go from the emotional decision-making of youth to rational decision-making in early adulthood. This process continues until the mid- to late 20’s.

During this time, what adolescents do can get 
“hard-wired” into the brain. If a young person is engaged in academics, sports or learning a musical instrument, those connections get set in the brain. If they spend  time using alcohol or other drugs, those could be the connections that stick. That means they’d have an increased chance of developing a substance use disorder later in life.

In adolescence, many people learn important life skills, including how to cope with adversity. However, long-term drug use that starts during adolescence can affect 
our memory and learning. Because drugs, particularly opioids, help alleviate both physical and emotional pain, adolescents may then continually turn to this drug as a way to cope, rather than using more adaptive coping skills that are usually learned during this time.


Starting the Conversation
One of the most important tools that parents have is the ability to talk to their teen. While talking about drugs with young people isn’t always comfortable, research has shown that it’s critical for prevention.  Check out here for vital tools and info if your teen is an athlete.

 
Most teens who use drugs or alcohol will not develop an addiction, but all teens who use are putting themselves at risk – short term risk of accidents, injury, overdose, or simply bad decisions – and long term risk of a substance use disorder.

While it may seem like teens don’t listen, parents do have the power to affect their kids’ attitudes and behaviors around substance use.  Teens who learn about the risks of drugs at home are significantly less likely to use alcohol and other drugs than kids who don’t – 42% less likely when it comes to prescription drug abuse. And when kids are asked why they don’t use the answer is that they don’t want to disappoint their parents. However, only 14% of teens say that their parents have talked with about prescription drug abuse. This is critical, because parents could be playing a much larger role to increase teens’ perception of risk.

Keep an eye out for a time when the topic can naturally come up. For example, if a celebrity is found to be using drugs this could provide the opening for a discussion.  Ask you teen if they have heard about opioids and, if so, what they know.  

Check out the Parent Talk Kit.  These conversations aren’t a one-shot deal. They should happen often, ideally repeating parents’ expectations and adding new information when relevant.
Source: Drugfree.org
Hidden In Plain Sight!

Parents:  Back by popular demand after a successful Open House presentation, the Hidden In Plain Sight program will be available on November 7th at the High School. 

We will also have  a presentation on Vaping and Ecigs as well as information from a local Drug Recognition Expert.  This is all designed to support parents and give them the tools needed to support their teens.
For more info:  RIprevention.org 
The Power Of Gratitude

Just as mindfulness practices help people stay calm, gratitude practices create an opportunity to focus on what we have to be thankful for.  Taking time to appreciate others helps us feel more positive emotions, rather than negative feelings like stress, anxiety and depression. Research shows it actually helps develop neural pathways that make us happier and more optimistic.

Research conducted by 
Greater Good Research Center (GGRC), shows the benefits of a grateful mindset are profoundly social. Grateful people
have stronger relationships, are less materialistic, and are more generousGrateful adolescents have more positive attitudes toward their families and schools, and are more motivated to contribute to society.

Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude doesn't just feel good. Making a habit of gratitude can also be good for us. Like other positive emotions, feeling grateful on a regular basis can have a big effect on our lives. Brain research shows that positive emotions are good for our bodies, minds, and brains.

So teach your teens to count their blessings – it will provide a deep emotional connection to others, lessen the burden of stress overload that they’re experiencing and help them feel more optimistic and happier.

Here are three gratitude practices you can do together with your teen:

Gratitude Jar
Any time you experience a moment of gratitude write it on a piece of paper and put it in a Gratitude Jar. Periodically, empty the jar and read what you wrote. This exercise helps us savor moments of gratitude and motivates us to look for more.

Give Thanks Out Loud
We all have many moments throughout our day when we can offer a heartfelt “thank you” to someone in our life — a friend, a stranger, a child. Notice those moments and give a heartfelt “Thank you!” to that person. Did your teen take out the garbage or walk the dog? Parents can thank a child for their good behavior, which will model gratefulness.  

Acts of Kindness
We often feel grateful when others do things for us that show kindness, caring and helpfulness. But there are also times when you have done things that are kind, caring and helpful to someone else.
– Think of someone that you have been kind to or someone you helped. Maybe it is someone who said “Thank you” to your recently. Try to see a picture of that person in your mind.
– Remember what you did for that person that was kind or caring or helpful. See yourself doing it. How do you feel inside? What is the other person saying or doing when you are kind to them? How does that feel to you?


And more....

Happy Thanksgiving!
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North Kingstown Prevention Coalition · 300 Centerville Road · Warwick, Ri 02886 · USA

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