Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1539483
www.FredericksburgParent.NET 13 RACSB offers a number of prevention-focused resources to help parents recognize and respond to the signs of substance misuse among teens and children. Learn more and get information about upcoming community trainings at: rappahannockareacsb.org/prevention Sponsored Material Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt For parents of pre-teens, it pays to be informed. Jaderborg recommends RACSB training offerings such as the Hidden in Plain Sight program, an occa- sional offering in partnership with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office that helps parents learn about ways teens commonly hide illicit substances and drug paraphernalia in common household items. Being aware of who your teen is spending time with, and what's being dis- cussed within his or her text messages, is another important line of defense. Along with that vigilance, Jaderborg stresses the importance of maintain- ing an open line of communication, so that teens and adolescents feel that they can talk about behaviors they are seeing among their peers, rather than hiding out of fear of punishment. That dialog should also include regular con- versation about feelings—the root of the coping need that may drive an indi- vidual to substances in the first place. He points out that home is a unique place for lessons about the dangers of substances like alcohol, cannabis and opioids to be delivered because, unlike in the school setting, kids at home may be less likely to have that defensive wall up to try to look "cool" in front of their peers. "The real conversations need to happen at home," he said. Key to the success of those conversations are the same ingredients Jaderborg works hard to infuse into his work as a Peer Recovery Specialist: empathy and compassion. That means taking a minute to cope with your own fears and frustrations before starting to talk. It means listening before lecturing. It means prioritiz- ing connection over scare tactics. Resources for Parents • One Pill Can Kill www.onepillcankillva.org • Curb the Crisis www.curbthecrisis.com • Operation Parent www.operationparent.org • Parents Empowered parentsempowered.org • Al-Anon and Nar-Anon Family Groups can provide a supportive network for individuals who are worried about loved ones with an alcohol or narcotics addiction. What to Look For—Signs Your Child May be Struggling with Substance Misuse BEHAVIORAL • Sudden changes in friend groups or spending more time with new, unfamiliar peers. • Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed. • Declining grades, skipping school, unexplained absences. • Increased secrecy, lying or withdrawing from family. • Changes in money habits—asking for money more often, stealing or items going missing from the home. PHYSICAL • Unexplained drowsiness, frequent nodding off or unusual bursts of energy. • Pinpoint or unusually small pupils. • Frequent flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, sweating or a runny nose. • Weight loss, changes in appetite, poor personal hygiene. • Strange smells on clothing, breath or belongings. EMOTIONAL • Sudden mood swings, irritability, hostility. • Increased anxiety, depression or paranoia. • Loss of motivation or apathy toward the future. ENVIRONMENTAL • Finding pill bottles, powders, vaping devices or other unexplained items among their belongings. • Burn marks on spoons, missing foil, rolled-up dollar bills. • Frequent locked doors, late nights out or unexplained whereabouts.