Marijuana Facts Parents Need to Know

I Found A Lighter on My Son's Desk

My son was 14 when I found a lighter sitting on his desk. I dismissed this thinking to myself "he needs the lighter for his firecracker collection."  
I was in denial.  Fast forward 5 years and my son informs me that the doctors in Oregon have approved him for medical marijuana.  He has pins in his ankle from breaking it when his girlfriend drove over his ankle with his car - there is more to that story . . . . .

Teens graffiti on bridge "Marijuana - THC"

When I was a teenager I was exposed to friends smoking pot.  In the 1970s I attended rock concerts like Led Zepplin, Santana, Queen and Eric Clapton where the smell of marijuana was strong and the passing of the pipe was a sign of hospitality. My "partying" slowed down as I got a real job, got married and had a family.  The adolescent years are a time of peer influence, and can be a time of rebellion against the parent's values.  A parent may not want to believe the signs that their child is beginning to use drugs.  It is helpful to take the first step and learn the facts about marijuana and teen use.  
Are you being hoodwinked by your marijuana using teen?  
The online counseling website Stages2Change, LLC provides free resources for parents on drug use.  The pamphlet "Marijuana Facts Parents Need to Know" can be downloaded at: 


www.stages2change.com

Am I an Addict?

Four Questions to Ask Yourself

Over the weekend, you went to a party and again you drank more beer than you had planned.  You tell yourself "that is the last time I am smoking pot!" yet within a a week you are hanging out playing video games with friends and take a bong hit. Everywhere you go signs say "No smoking."  Having a cigarette is becoming a chore just to find a public place to light up.  You tell yourself - "I am quitting!" 

You listen to friends say, "I am a social drinker or I smoke weed for recreation only - I don't have a problem with it."  You find yourself wondering . . . do I have a problem or addiction . . . . 

. . . .there is a short "test" to find out if you are showing signs of substance abuse.  The CAGE-AID test is a standard brief test used to screen for substance abuse.  

Ask yourself these four questions?  Be as honest with yourself as possible - considering your life history. 

1. Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your drinking or drug use?

2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking or drug use?

3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking or drug use?

4. Have you ever had a drink or taken drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

How did your answers come out?  

If you have answered one or more of the four questions with a "yes" there is a strong change you have a substance abuse problem.  You may want to obtain a more thorough evaluation or assessment from a substance abuse counselor.  

Learning to make healthy changes is possible.  

When you are ready to take the first step to change or if you just want to learn more about addiction and recovery . . . check out our website www.stages2change.com.  

On the website you will find the Cage-Aid Test and many free resources to help you educate yourself about specific addictions.  You will also find a place to request a free consultation through taking the first step of simply completing a brief screening form. 

Reference Note:  
The Cage-Aid Questionnaire is an adapted version of the CAGE Assessment for alcohol dependence. The CAGE-AID includes drug use and is designed to reveal potential substance abuse with only one yes answer.  The CAGE questionnaire was developed by Dr. John Ewing, University of North Carolina. CAGE is an internationally used assessment instrument for identifying problems with alcohol. 'CAGE' is an acronym formed from the italicized letters in the questionnaire (cut-annoyed-guilty-eye).

www.stages2change.com