Welcome to Drug and Alcohol Treatment
| ||
Drug Treatment San Francisco Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Drug Treatment San Francisco. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Monitoring Your Teens for Drug Use Without Appearing to be Spying
from:by V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed.
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still need to keep an eye on them. It is much better to realize that things could change, and anticipate that your teen COULD become a user. Essentially, it is not wise to make assumptions about topics such as drug use. Also, having been a high school teacher afforded me the opportunity to witness peer pressure, and how even good kids could be convinced to try drugs - just to fit in. It is important that you play a proactive role in ensuring that your teenagers and the rest of your family remains drug free.About drug useInitially, I learned that the signs of drug use included three basic symptoms:• A loss of interest in hobbies• A change in friends• A drop in gradesWhat I later discovered was that not seeing these symptoms only provides a false sense of security regarding teenagers and potential drug use. The above behaviors apply more to signs of “drug addiction,” as opposed to “experimental” drug use.Teens who experiment with drugs don’t start out addicted so logically, they do not show any symptoms. They generally look healthy and nothing seems to be wrong. In fact, teens can casually use drugs for over a year before their parents would even suspect any drug or alcohol use.Many teenagers who decide to experiment with drugs start out casually, using them with friends and then progressing towards regular use. It is important that you look for clues pertaining to casual drug use so that if your teen is prone, you can proactively deal with it.What you can doYou need to monitor your teen’s behavior and watch for signs of drug use, without appearing to be spying. Your goal should be to prevent him or her from feeling free to experiment with drugs or alcohol. The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast of your teen’s activities and friends. You will be able to spot a problem early if you keep your eyes and ears open, and believe that YOUR teenager is capable of using drugs. Many parents get blind-sided by thinking that their teen would never try drugs. Only then will you be ready to intervene if the situation presents itself.The following are ten ways to monitor your teenager’s behavior and watch for signs of drug use, without appearing to be spying:1. Hug your teen as soon as s/he arrives home. Check for odors of possible marijuana smoke or alcohol. Remember that cologne or chewing gum may be used to hide the odor.2. Teenagers under the influence will usually go straight to their room when they arrive home. While making eye contact, hold a brief conversation. Check for bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and their sense of balance.3. Keep the lights on and stay up until your teenager comes home.4. Ask your teen for the time and watch the way s/he looks at his or her watch.5. If your teenager unexpectedly wants to spend the night at a friend’s house, and you have concerns, say no.6. Maintain a flexible schedule. Be unpredictable so your teen cannot find it easy to plan around your activities.7. Keep abreast of what your teen is really doing when away from home. Meet their friends and their parents and participate in mutual activities. This is a very effective form of networking.8. Ask your neighbors to discretely keep an eye on any activities that may take place while you are not home.9. Check to see how your teens are doing in school. Ask their teachers if there is any cause for concern or if your teen has been behaving differently.10. After you meet your teenager’s friends, always ask them to identify themselves when they call. Get to know them. Always encourage your teens to invite their friends over while you are home.Remember, your goal should be to prevent your teenager from feeling free to experiment with drugs or alcohol. The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast of their activities and friends using the above methods.Lastly, but most important, talk to your teenager on a regular basis about the drug use she witnesses, and how she feels about it. Also, if she has been approached, have her describe how she handled the situation. Strive for honesty and ask how you can help her to remain drug free.This article is an excerpt from the book "Realizing the Power of Love," How a father and teenage daughter became best friends...and how you can too! By V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed and Jennifer S. Santoro. For more information visit their Web site at http://www.dads-daughters.com/Copyright 2004 by V. Michael Santoro and Jennifer S. Santoro, All Rights Reserved.
V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed, has 10 years of experience as an educator. He is also certified in Training & Development with over 18 years of industry experience.
Drug Treatment San Francisco Specific links
Drug Treatment San Francisco News
CALIFORNIA DIGS IN ON EXECUTION DRUG - U-T San Diego
 News10.net | CALIFORNIA DIGS IN ON EXECUTION DRUG U-T San Diego By AP SAN FRANCISCO — California has joined other states in defying a federal government order to turn over a key execution drug. At issue is the drug sodium thiopental, one of three drugs California and dozens of other states use in lethal injections. California refuses to return execution drug to FDA |
San Mateo County tax measures aimed at SFO - San Francisco Chronicle
San Mateo County tax measures aimed at SFO San Francisco Chronicle In the last four years, San Mateo County has eliminated 500 jobs and $70 million from its budget, with deep cuts to senior services, health clinics, drug rehabilitation programs and a program for girls at juvenile hall. Staffers have not received ... |
Twitter joined in San Francisco by one of its biggest investors - Washington Post
Twitter joined in San Francisco by one of its biggest investors Washington Post May 25 (Bloomberg) -- Twitter Inc. will be joined by one of its biggest investors soon after the company moves to San Francisco's gritty Mid-Market neighborhood next month. Benchmark Capital, which bought a stake in the micro- blogging service three ... |
Calif. defies order to turn over execution drug - NECN
Calif. defies order to turn over execution drug NECN SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California on Friday joined other states in defying a federal government order to turn over a key execution drug. At issue is the drug sodium thiopental, one of three drugs California and dozens of other states use in lethal ... |
Oral Relistor May Ease Bowel Back-Up from Opiates - MedPage Today
Oral Relistor May Ease Bowel Back-Up from Opiates MedPage Today SAN DIEGO -- An oral formulation of methylnaltrexone appears to relieve opioid-induced constipation in patients on chronic opioid therapy, researchers found. Significantly more patients on higher, daily doses of the drug had rescue-free bowel movements ... |
Benchmark Joins Twitter in San Francisco's Startup Zone - Bloomberg
Benchmark Joins Twitter in San Francisco's Startup Zone Bloomberg Twitter Inc. will be joined by one of its biggest investors soon after the company moves to San Francisco's gritty Mid-Market neighborhood next month. Benchmark Capital, which bought a stake in the micro- blogging service three years ago, ... |
Lower penalty for drug crimes, says San Francisco legislator - News10.net
 News10.net | Lower penalty for drug crimes, says San Francisco legislator News10.net Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. Leno's Senate Bill 1506 would change that by making all charges of 'simple possession' (a small amount) of drugs -- marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and more -- a misdemeanor. Many of those are now charged as a ... |
San Francisco reliever Mota suspended 100 games for positive drug test - The Seattle Times
San Francisco reliever Mota suspended 100 games for positive drug test The Seattle Times NEW YORK — San Francisco Giants reliever Guillermo Mota was suspended for 100 games on Monday, becoming just the third major league player penalized twice for positive drug tests. The commissioner's office said the 38-year-old right-hander tested ... |
CRC Health Group Introduces New Substance Abuse, Eating and Weight Management ... - MarketWatch (press release)
CRC Health Group Introduces New Substance Abuse, Eating and Weight Management ... MarketWatch (press release) SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 23, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- CRC Health Group, the nation's largest provider of behavioral health and addiction treatment services, headquartered in Cupertino, CA, has announced a new, free Assessment and Resource Center ... |
Calif. defies order to turn over execution drug - U-T San Diego
Calif. defies order to turn over execution drug U-T San Diego By PAUL ELIAS, AP SAN FRANCISCO — California on Friday joined other states in defying a federal government order to turn over a key execution drug. At issue is the drug sodium thiopental, one of three drugs California and dozens of other states use in ... |