Substance abuse and chemical dependence
Disease Information
Overview
Parents are the best line of defense in protecting their children from the dangers of alcohol and drugs
John Knight, MD, Associate in Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital
Teens may try drugs for different reasons—as a way to deal with depression, in order to fit in, or just because they’re curious. According to an ongoing University of Michigan study called Monitoring the Future, more than one-third of high school students in America have tried an illicit drug by the time they’re in eighth grade. More than half have used an illegal drug by the time they finish high school.
One way you can help your children say “no” is to talk to them about drugs. Find out what they know about drugs, and share your concerns about the harmful effects of drugs. Ask them what they think are the negatives that come with using drugs. Set a clear “no alcohol or drug use” policy—but be sure to also listen and not do all the talking.
Read on about the warning signs of drug use, information about commonly used drugs—and how Children’s Hospital Boston can help.
Children’s Hospital Boston’s approach to substance abuse
Our physicians are bright, compassionate and committed to focusing on the whole child, not just his substance abuse—that’s one reason we’re so often ranked as a top pediatric hospital in the United States.
Our Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) team offers careful diagnosis and caring, family-based treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders.
-
All adolescents receive a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, including in-depth substance use and biopsychosocial histories, as well as medical, mental health and vocational screenings. This is usually accomplished over the course of three in- person visits, as described below.
| Visit | Provider | Patient | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First visit for adolescent |
Pediatrics |
Adolescent |
Medical history with in-depth substance use history, physical exam, brief school and family function screening |
|
First visit for family |
Mental Health |
Parents |
In depth bio-psychosocial history |
|
Second visit for adolescent |
Pediatrics |
Parents |
Collateral substance use history |
|
Second visit for family |
Mental Health |
Adolescent |
Mental Health diagnostic screen |
|
Team meeting (family not present) |
Multi-disciplinary |
None |
Present histories, clarify diagnoses and make treatment recommendations |
|
Third visit, adolescent and family together with one clinician |
Pediatrics |
Adolescent and Parents |
Present diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations |
Read more about Children's Adolescent Substance Abuse Program.
John Knight, MD, talks about the signs of substance abuse.
Substance abuse: Reviewed by Sharon Levy, MD, MPH
© Children’s Hospital Boston, 2010
| Stimulant misuse |
|---|
|
Why are healthy teens across the country turning to stimulants like Adderall®, Ritalin® and other medications traditionally prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? |
#1 ranked pediatric hospital in the nation. Learn more
Related conditions and treatments:
Smoke screen: new scientific research challenges marijuana?s ?safe? reputation
After nearly a decade of declining popularity, marijuana use among teenagers is on the rise—25 percent of U.S. teens reported smoking marijuana in the last month, up 6 percent from previous years—just as science sheds new light on marijuana's harmful effects.
Clinical Services
