Blog

Going to parties, tailgating, and cheering on a favorite sports team are common ways for teens to relieve stress and be with friends. For some, this includes drinking and occasionally having too much too quickly or binge drinking. The consequences of large amounts of alcohol are severe and can be deadly. Rapidly drinking in excess […]

Treating teen substance abuse and co-occurring disorders is a complex undertaking, requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses all needs for lasting success. For adolescent clients, common treatment factors to consider include addressing mental health and behavioral concerns, home and family dysfunction, and establishing healthy coping mechanisms and life skills for a substance-free future.  Early intervention […]

The teenage years are a pivotal time. Their bodies are changing, their moods are shifting, and they’re learning to feel comfortable in their own skin. Rebellious teen behavior is common as teens begin to establish more independence. However, it’s important to understand the difference between what is considered normal teen behavior and signs of a […]

Parenthood is a fantastic phase of life – you get to watch a child you love and adore grow, learn, and play. But sometimes, it can also be the most challenging part of your life – primarily through puberty and adolescence. It’s only natural that eventually our children will want more freedom and one day […]

“Vaping,” or an electronic cigarette, is a device used to inhale a vapor fluid for nicotine, or other THC products, which are used within this device. While vaping companies insist it is a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes, other health risks are involved. Overall, vaping is just as addictive as smoking regular cigarettes due to […]

Substance abuse and addiction in teens is a symptom of unaddressed, underlying issues, including past traumas and mental health disorders. Statistic show that people with mental health disorders are more likely to develop a substance abuse disorder at some point in their lives. Combined with the fact that most people who develop an addiction begin […]

Many parents find it hard to imagine a world where middle school students are exposed to substances. Unfortunately, that’s life. Students are finding themselves exposed to substances earlier than ever before, and if you are a parent of a newly minted middle school student, it’s only natural to wonder what you can do to prevent […]

As we talk about being assertive, I have come across many people that have told me “every time I try to be assertive I get labeled all kinds of negative things.” Assertive communication is the ability to express positive and negative ideas and feelings in an open, honest and direct way. It recognizes our rights […]

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1 in 10 children grow up in a home where at least one parent has a substance use disorder (SUD). Because of this, the way that treatment for clients with addiction has evolved from focusing on just the patient, to focusing on the entire […]

As we talk about substance use many terms come to mind. As I conduct groups for substance use and talk about ways of overcoming use we come across the term coping skills. A coping skill to be an action -to deal with stress, problems, or uncomfortable emotions. Unhealthy coping strategies tend to feel good in […]