Middle School Parent Fears
Drugs, Alcohol, Depression and Your Middle Schooler
Adolescents today use drugs and alcohol at an early age. Middle school parents can help their children by identifying the signs of drug abuse before depression sets in.
Although the thought of a 12-year-old child drinking or using drugs on a weekly basis may seem hard to imagine, the latest statistics show:
- Alcohol is a leading cause of death among youth, particularly teenagers. It contributes substantially to adolescent motor vehicle crashes, other traumatic injuries, suicide, date rape, and family and school problems.
- Every day, on average, 11,318 American youth (12 to 20 years of age) try alcohol for the first time, compared with 6,488 for marijuana; 2,786 for cocaine; and 386 for heroin.
- Alcohol is by far the most used and abused drug among America’s teenagers. According to a national survey, nearly one third (31.5%) of all high school students reported hazardous drinking (5+ drinks in one setting) during the 30 days preceding the survey.
- Children who are drinking alcohol by 7th grade are more likely to report academic problems, substance use, and delinquent behavior in both junior high and high school. By young adulthood, early alcohol use was associated with employment problems, other substance abuse, and criminal and other violent behavior.
- Young people who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin drinking at 21.
Parents Can Help
The top 2 ways parents can minimize the potential for alcohol and drug abuse are
- Close supervision (not hovering) of after school and weekend activities. Often, a quick phone call to a friend’s parents can confirm the supervision of another adult and prevent an unwanted encounter with drugs or alcohol. Talking with children about the need for supervision becomes increasingly difficult as their need for independence grows. Without supervision, the possibility for injury as well as a parent’s anxiety level continue to rise.
- Establishing a routine, before school starts, that details the expectations for scheduling after school and weekend activities will alleviate the need for continued debates throughout the year.
The Signs of Depression
Chronic drug or alcohol abuse is closely linked to depression in teens; however, the transition to the teen years is also filled with a host of other changes resulting in anxiety, stress and ultimately a depressed emotional state if the signs and symptoms continue to go unnoticed.
The occasional mood swing should not be confused with the persistent occurrence of one or more of the symptoms listed below.
- Sadness &/or crying
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Loss of interest in regular activities
- Lack of energy
- Change in sleep patterns
- Change in eating habits
- Not interacting with friends
- Low self-esteem
- Sensitivity to rejection
- Missing a lot of school
- Inability to concentrate
If your child exhibits any of the symptoms of depression on an ongoing basis, talk with your family doctor who can refer you to a counselor or another qualified professional for a more complete diagnosis.
Developing positive peer relationships takes time and effort, and can be a process filled with dramatic swings of the emotional pendulum. Finding the patience to listen and wait for the moment when your child is ready to talk about her personal life can prove to be an ongoing exercise in patience for parents.
Except in extreme cases of bullying or social exclusion try to provide ample opportunities for growth and social problem solving by allowing your child room to experiment with building friendships and working through challenging relationships.
