Substance Abuse
    Parent Conference
    Guide
    Evidence of a Problem
    Alcohol
    More than
    ____________
    of surveyed
    teens said they had attended a party where
    kids consume
    d alcohol with parents present.
    The Monitoring the Future survey conducted by the University
    of Michigan has
    found that, nationwide, about
    _________%
    of high school seni
    ors and
    _______%
    of
    eighth
    -
    graders say they have consumed alcohol in the last year.
    "The perception out there is that 90% of teens get alcohol using fake IDs and by
    going to bars.
    That's not true," says Dr. J. Edward Hill, president of the American
    Medical Assn. "They are getting it from social sources:
    parents,
    _________ _________
    ,
    older siblings and others. Parents need to become aware of the fact that a
    large percentage
    of alcoh
    ol comes from their own homes or the homes of other parents."
    Marijuana
    According to a
    1999
    national survey by the Hazelden Foundation, t
    he vast
    majority of parents (98%
    )
    said they
    would be upset if they discovered their teens were
    using marijuana. Howeve
    r, less than
    half (
    ______%
    )
    of parents advised teens not
    to use
    and just one in five (20%
    ) emphasized it's illegal during the most recent dialog on the
    topic with their teens.
    2
    In 2002, an average of
    __________
    Americans
    per day
    tried marijuana for the
    f
    irst time and over two
    -
    thirds were under age 18.
    3
    Kids use marijuana far more than any other illicit drug
    (not including alcohol)
    .
    Among kids who use drugs,
    ________%
    use only marijuana.
    4
    Inhalants
    Use of inhalants increased significantly in 2004 among
    eighth graders. Nearly
    _____ ____ ______
    have used an inhalant.
    Inhalants are
    the
    _________
    most abused substance among 14 to 15 year olds.
    5
    Steroids
    O
    nly 59% of 12th graders perceive a "great risk" with taking steroids. Apparently
    there is no lack of a
    vailability for steroids as
    _______
    %
    of 12th graders say steroids are
    "fairly/very easy" to get.
    6
    Risk Factors
    All youth are at risk of developing substance abuse problems if they are exposed
    to addicting substances and use them repeatedly. But a number
    of risk factors increase
    the chances that they will become drug involved, including:
    Family History
    Alcoholism or
    ____________
    in the family

    Family Environment
    _____________ ____________
    or child abuse
    Lack of adult
    _______________
    Psychology
    Childhoo
    d aggression
    Lack of
    __________________
    skills
    Depression
    Compulsiveness
    School
    Rejection by
    ________
    Lack of commitment to school
    Someone who makes it to
    age
    ______
    without abusing drugs or alcohol is less
    likely to develop a substance abuse problem.
    7
    The Cycle of Addiction
    When a person uses marijuana or methamphetamines over a period of time, the
    body becomes unable to completely eliminate it all. Marijuana and meth are broken down
    in the liver. These metabolites (the substances the body converts the
    marijuana and
    methamphetamines into) although removed rapidly from the blood stream, become
    trapped in the fatty tissues. The problem that needs to be addressed is that these
    marijuana and meth residues remain for years. Tissues in our bodies that are hig
    h in fats
    are turned over very slowly. When they are turned over, the stored marijuana and meth
    metabolites are released into the blood stream and reactivate the same brain centers as if
    the person actually took the drug. The former addict now experiences
    a drug re
    -
    stimulation (or "flashbacks") and drug craving. This can continue to occur for years, even
    decades.
    Craving is an extremely powerful urge and can cause a person to create all kinds
    of "reasons" they should use marijuana or meth again. That person
    is now trapped in an
    endless cycle of trying to quit, craving, and relapse.
    8
    Preventative Steps
    1.
    Do a
    ________ __________
    to determine whether your family has shown signs
    of alcoholism or other addiction.
    (Exodus 20:5, There can be a cumulative effect t
    o sin.)
    If so students are especially vulnerable. Let them know they can take steps to
    abstain from substances that cause addiction.
    2.
    Evaluate your
    _______ _____
    of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
    (Proverbs 23:26,
    nothing communicates quite like the power
    and conviction
    of
    a living example)
    If you walk in
    the door at night and grab a beer or light up a cigarette every time you get tense,
    what are you conveying to your child about how to cope with life and its
    stresses?
    3.
    Foster strong
    __________ ________
    t
    o help counter powerful peer influences.
    (Proverbs 4:3
    -
    4, Speak now or forever wish you had)
    If kids have a sense of belonging
    within their own families, they will be less likely to seek it elsewhere.

    4.
    Set clear
    ____________
    for behavior.
    (
    Colossians 3:12
    -
    25
    ,
    Your child needs to know
    more directly that which will please you, than that which will discourage you.)
    Thousands of
    teens reported that their biggest reason for choosing not to drink or choosing to
    drink less than they would have is that their paren
    ts would be upset by it.
    5.
    Let your kids know that they can talk to you about anything, without
    ________
    ____________
    or lectures.
    (Ephesians 6:4, keep the lines of communication open)
    And be
    on the lookout for teachable moments, like when your child raise
    s the subject of
    drugs or when an anti
    -
    drug commercial comes on television.
    6.
    Expose your children to activities like sports, art, music, reading, or drama, so
    that they develop
    _______ ____________
    .
    (Ecclesiastes 5:20, God gives and sustains
    joy for livin
    g)
    When kids are bored they are more likely to experiment.
    7.
    Help your child feel apart of his or her
    __________
    .
    (Acts 18:24, Consistently remind
    your children that the goal of education is not so that they might get a better job, but rather to be
    better e
    quipped for God’s mission for their life)
    Go to school functions with your child
    whenever you can. Research shows that children who feel bonded with their
    school are less likely to use substances.
    8.
    Teach your child to make
    _____________
    decisions.
    (Prover
    bs 22:6, the goal is long
    -
    term success)
    Allow your kids to make some of their own decisions, so that when
    faced with offers of drugs or alcohol, they can resist pressure.
    9.
    Teach your child to
    _________
    with frustration and stress.
    (Mark 1:35, Healthy,
    bibl
    ical, coping skills need to be communicated in word and deed)
    When your child is upset,
    help him or her to learn ways to feel better, such as talking about it, taking a walk,
    praying, journaling,
    or various other relaxation techniques.
    10.
    Teach your child to
    be
    ___________
    of sales pitches.
    (Proverbs 23:29
    -
    35, What often
    looks good from afar, is often far, far from good.)
    Whether
    watching commercials or
    passing a billboard advertising cigarettes or alcohol, help your child discern
    between the salesman’s inter
    est and his or her own.
    Consider talking your child
    through Proverbs 23:29
    -
    35 comparing the promises and the actual results of
    alcohol or drug use.
    9
    PROVERBS 23:
    29
    Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has
    needless bruises
    ? Who has bloodshot eyes?
    Alcohol promises: Happiness,
    _______________
    , Camaraderie, a Buzz
    Alcohol delivers: Sorrow, Conflict,
    _____________
    relationships, Bodily harm
    30
    Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
    Alcohol promis
    es:
    _____________
    Alcohol delivers:
    ______________
    31
    Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down
    smoothly!
    Alcohol promises: Personal
    ______________
    32
    In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
    Alcohol delivers: Personal
    ______________

    33
    Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.
    Alcohol promises: Higher
    ___________
    34
    You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.
    Alcohol del
    ivers:
    __________
    reality
    --
    ____________
    35
    "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When
    will I wake up so I can find another drink?"
    Alcohol promises: A buffer, an
    __________
    Alcohol delivers: A beating,
    ____
    ___________
    Sources
    1
    http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la
    -
    he
    -
    drinking8aug08,0,2657312.story
    2
    http://www.planetpsych.com/zPsychology_101/substance/teendrug.htm
    3
    http://family.samhsa.gov/monitor/usingpot.aspx
    4
    http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_truth_facts.asp
    5
    http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_inhalants_quickfacts.asp
    6
    http://www.cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=76735
    7
    Fall 2005, Leading Student Ministry magazine, LifeWay Church Resources
    .
    8
    http://www.narcononquebec
    .ca/marijuana.htm
    9
    Fall 2005, Leading Student Ministry magazine, LifeWay Church Resources
    .
    (
    S
    cripture verses and references were added)

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