ABCD of adolescent drug abuse
A study by Ty Schepis, PhD, and Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, PhD, published in the the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, shows that much of this drug use likely begins at home. Frequently easy access to alcohol at home adds to the “mixing” “spiking” of drug abuse.
Across all classes of medications (opioids, stimulants, tranquilizers, and sedatives), nearly 50% were obtained from friends or family members free of charge. (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Dr. Boyd and Dr. Stewart, studying for National Institute of drug abuse have reported the related to decreasing prescription drug abuse in adolescence. I have expanded upon advice for the parents.
1. Advice: Parents and physician need to be aware that adolescents need to be shown how to take her medications correctly. Not knowing the dose correct, can result into accidental overdose. If adolescent cannot follow it properly, then pattern must administer medication themselves.
2. Be aware: Note that adolescents can share medications with each other. So for example an adolescent who needs to take medication A, may exchange it for medication B, with a friend, and the net result being a disaster. Adolescents also tend to mix the regular medications with street drugs and alcohol.
3. Control: Parents must remain in control of all medications that are prescribed for that adolescents. When the adolescents are first put on medications, parents may give them half week’s supply of medication at a time, and gradually increasing it as there is a better confidence between adolescent and the parent. When the adolescent is on narcotic medication like stimulants for ADD for example her Adderall or on pain medication like hydrocodone, parents she would exercise tight control.
4. Disposition: Any medication that is not needed, or have been taken off the prescription, should be disposed off appropriately after discussion with the physician, as to proper process of disposition of the medication. You may also call poison control center 1-800-222-1222, at Association of Poison Control Centers
