By:  Galen Garbarino, MFT

It’s hard to believe that in our idyllic community, there is a rampant substance abuse problem among our young people.  Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and countless other harmful substances have made their way into the lives of our adolescents.  With increasing tolerance toward alcohol and marijuana and the attitude that “it’s no big deal,” more and more young people are experimenting with harder drugs.  Perceptions of risk about alcohol and other drug use have been shown to have a direct correlation with usage rates.  It is not uncommon to find that more than 50% of our high school seniors have experimented with drugs and/or alcohol at some point during adolescence and that 80% of those adolescents will try alcohol before high school graduation.

It is well known amongst young people in our community that marijuana is more readily available than either alcohol or cigarettes on local high school campuses.  Current national studies show that the average age when a child first tries alcohol is 11 and for marijuana it is 12.  This also applies to our community.  Another frightening reality is that alcohol and drugs are increasingly more available in lower grades.

One of the most sobering discoveries that a parent can make is that their child is using alcohol or other drugs.  Many parents hope and pray that their children will venture through adolescence unscathed by substance abuse.  However, wearing blinders is an ineffectual parenting approach.  It is imperative that parents talk to children about drugs.  Children respond to education and listening stances that avoid judgment and confrontation.  Research constantly indicates that parental modeling of nonuse of alcohol and other drugs remains the best prognostic indicator of future problems in children.  Seeking professional guidance often becomes necessary.

Our approach at Full Spectrum Recovery includes early identification and appropriate, rapid intervention in order to get adolescents help before problems worsen.  Our treatment models work specifically with teens rather than using adult treatment models, which do not work well with this specific population.  Full Spectrum Recovery is having great success in helping the adolescents and their families in our community actively win the battle against substance abuse.