I have worked with many young people in the Saratoga region over the last 17 years who were in treatment for problems associated with addiction. Although these kids were very different in many ways, there were some common risk factors among them that are rarely discussed in our community. And that needs to change if we are ever going to make any real progress in preventing the damage that happens when young people begin to use and abuse psycho active substances.
The two biggest common factors I have discovered that drive our children toward problematic drug use are access and attitude. Every reliable study that has focused on access to alcohol and cigarettes has shown that when it becomes more difficult to obtain these substances, the number of young people using them goes down. And so does the myriad of problems that accompany drug use. Some of the ways we have tried to limit access in America have been to raise the legal age of use, to raise the price, and to limit the number of places that you can legally use these drugs “i.e. restrictions on where you can smoke cigarettes or have an open container of alcohol.” By making the access to these drugs harder, the number of young people using them “and in fact the number of people using them overall,” goes down – and every study done on the topic of access supports this data.
But many Americans do not like such restrictions or limitations on our freedoms and choices, and continue to embrace the “forbidden fruit” philosophy around drug use and abuse. This philosophy supports the idea that by making a substance harder to access, you will only make the desire to have it more powerful. People seem to think that this is especially true for our kids, who are often viewed as particularly rebellious and able to obtain the substances anyway. Supporters of this permissive approach often believe that it is better to allow young people to use certain substances under the supervision of adults, and only in moderation.
I understand this thought pattern. It does make sense to me that by designating something as a “forbidden fruit” you may increase the desire for the object. It certainly was the case for poor Adam and Eve. But this antiquated thinking and approach simply doesn’t hold as an effective way to prevent problems associated with substance use among our kids. In fact, permitting these behaviors tends to increase the likelihood that they will develop problems with substances that have an addictive potential in the future. Addiction is not able to be moderated, so allowing “some” of an addictive substance to a person who is predisposed to the illness is like trying to have a controlled fire in an oil field during a windstorm. Children will almost always model and adopt the attitudes that the adults in their lives provide for them. Several studies have proven that the highest percentage of people who develop an addiction to cigarettes or tobacco products report that they had a mother or father who also used tobacco. The rates were even higher among those young people who were allowed to smoke or use tobacco by their parents. Similar results have been found in the use of alcohol and marijuana. A large percentage of people in treatment for problems associated with marijuana and/or alcohol use report that their parents either allow or permit these behaviors at home. Permission of these behaviors equals promotion of the behavior, and parents have the most influence in changing this pattern and preventing serious problems that develop from such permissive attitudes.
So my point and my challenge for parents and guardians this summer is to consider the access and attitude you are providing for the young people in your life. How easy would it be to find and drink alcohol in your house? How about prescription medications? Cigarettes? Would you notice if these things were missing? And if I asked the young people you have influence over what your attitude about drinking is, how would they answer?
It is time to take control of the access you are providing to substances at home, and to look at your own attitudes about addictive substances and behaviors. Knowledge is power, but knowledge alone will not prevent our youth from the heart breaking consequences of untreated addiction. If true prevention of these problems is going to happen, it will need to begin in the home…
My favorite sentence from your blog today: “Addiction is not able to be moderated, so allowing “some” of an addictive substance to a person who is predisposed to the illness is like trying to have a controlled fire in an oil field during a windstorm.” I have seen so many struggle with this, feeling that their will power and intelligence will help them to control their addiction so that having a “little, just once in a while” will be okay. Although I have tried to explain why this is not possible, none of my reasons have provided the visual that your quote offers. Thank you for sharing that! So proud of you for all you have accomplished. 🙂
Great reading Brian!! I agree with you 100%! If some things do not change soon in society we are doomed-I drill it in to my kids heads almost to the point of annoying and can only hope they are listening. My generation seemed to be so laid back-parents included but I don’t feel it is even an option to think that way in today’s world-times have changed! Thanks for sharing-looking forward to seeing more!
Thanks Christine! I am glad you are “drilling” these messages into your kids – there are many other forces and sources trying to “drill” other messages in, so keep it up! I do agree with you about needing to be more vigilant as parents today – if we don’t do it, who will? Thanks again!
Thank you Michelle – it took me quite awhile to come up with that comparison, so I am glad it worked! Thanks for the kind words as well, and I hope you know how much you have inspired me “and many others” with the great work you are doing!
Addiction is not to be underestimated. Thanks for your words of wisdom. Glad to have you back.