100 Questions & Answers About Your Child's Substance Abuse

by Romulo Aromin

Overview

100 Questions & Answers About Your Child’s Substance Abuse provides clear, straightforward answers to the most commonly-asked questions about a child’s substance abuse. Written for parents and caregivers as well as pediatricians and inpatient and outpatient treatment facility workers, this easy-to-read guide is an essential quick reference for anyone dealing with childhood substance abuse. Topics include risk factors, alcohol abuse, steroid use, drug abuse, assessment and diagnosis, and treatment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763779818
Publisher:	Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date:	11/25/2010
Series:	100 Questions & Answers about
Edition description:	1
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Trinitas Regional Medical Center

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Part 1 The Basics 1

Questions 1-13 introduce the basics of adolescent substance abuse:

Is it normal for kids to try drugs?

How do I know if my child is using? What behaviors should I look for?

Is there any simple way to ask my daughter if she has a drug problem?

Part 2 Risk Factors 15

Questions 14-26 explain common risk factors associated with your child's substance abuse problems, such as:

I have family members who have used drugs before but do not now. Can this play a role in my child's drug use?

I have a friend whose son has ADHD and is also receiving counseling for drug abuse. Was her son at a higher risk for substance abuse because of his ADHD?

Is there a relationship between bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) and drug abuse?

Are the reasons for starting to use drugs the same as those that one has for continuing drug use?

Part 3 Alcohol Abuse in Adolescents 27

Questions 27-34 discuss different types of alcohol abuse, including the signs and symptoms that your child may exhibit:

What is binge drinking?

What signs and symptoms should I look for to recognize alcohol poisoning? What should I do if I suspect my son of alcohol poisoning?

What preventive measures are effective to deal with underage drinking?

Part 4 Steroid Use in Adolescents 37

Questions 35-38 review how steroids are used and how to best prevent your child from becoming involved with steroid use:

My son is into sports at school. What type of drugs might he encounter as an athlete?

What is the usual dosage and period of time for which steroids are administered?

What are the telltale signs of steroid abuse?

Part 5 Drug Abuse 41

Questions 39-51 discuss many types of drugs commonly abused by adolescents:

I heard that my son took his classmate's Adderall. Should I be concerned?

Why does prescription drug abuse seem to be such a problem nowadays?

My friend's daughter was seen huffing something at home. Should my friend be worried?

What are the effects and dangers of club drugs?

Part 6 Assessment and Diagnosis 53

Questions 52-70 explain how substance abuse is diagnosed, including drug testing and screening kits:

How is drug abuse diagnosed?

Are any other tests involved in the drug abuse diagnosis process?

How long do drugs stay in the body? Is it true that marijuana stays in the body for about a month?

Part 7 Treatment 71

Questions 71-100 offer important information on how to treat your child's substance abuse problems and how to best prevent relapses:

What is the goal of treating my son?

How do I know how much treatment my child needs?

How can I be a part of my child's treatment?

What is Relapse Prevention?

Appendix A Resources 105

Appendix B Further Reading 109

Glossary 117

Index 121