SUBSTANCES
Guiding Teens Through a Risky Landscape
Substance use can feel like an inevitable or even normal rite of passage in the teen years. But with a landscape of easier accessibility, riskier substances, a notable nationwide decline in mental health among teens, and clear research pointing to the dangers of teen use of any substance, we can’t accept this as normal or inevitable any longer. Substance use also isn’t bad behavior. What may start as “normal” teenage experimentation can readily become addiction, a health condition that needs intense medical and emotional support to heal. So as parents, what can we do? We can learn a little, listen a lot, model positive coping skills, and lean into the tough conversations.
6 OUT OF 10 PILLS TESTED FOR FENTANYL CONTAIN A POTENTIALLY LETHAL DOSE
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MARIN COUNTY?
The reality is that any and all drugs are happening in Marin, and any and all drugs are harmful for kids whose brains and coping skills are still developing. But in our county, some substances are more heavily used, more easily accessible, or just so dangerous that we all need to be aware of the risks. Read on to find out more about drugs generally, and some of the substances that have an impact on teens in Marin: Alcohol, Cannabis, Nicotine, Mushrooms and Fentanyl.
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
The big deal is that drugs can have both short term and long lasting negative consequences on a teen’s body, brain, relationships, ability to feel joy, and their entire future. Here is a list of just a few of the consequences of drug use.
DECREASED FOCUS
CHANGES IN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
RISKY BEHAVIOR
OVERDOSE
ALCOHOL POISONING
LOWERING OF GRADES
LACKING ENERGY
ACTING OUT OF CHARACTER
RELATIONSHIPS IMPACTED
LUNG DISEASE
HEART DISEASE
ADDICTION
TALKING TO YOUR TEEN ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE
As parents we often feel like we have to know it all in order to talk to our kids. But the information on substances can be overwhelming and constantly changing. The truth is that you don’t have to be the expert, and your teen is actually more likely to engage in a dialogue if it feels like they have something to teach you. Read on for tips on how to have these important conversations.
