Drug Addiction Prevention: When and how does drug abuse start and progress?

CEBU, Philippines - Studies have indicated that some children are already abusing drugs by age 12 or 13, which likely means that some may begin even earlier.

Early abuse includes such drugs as tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, and psychotherapeutic drugs. If drug abuse persists into later adolescence, abusers typically become more involved with marijuana and then advance to other illegal drugs, while continuing their abuse of tobacco and alcohol. Studies have also shown that early initiation of drug abuse is associated with greater drug involvement, whether with the same or different drugs. Note, however, that both one-time and long-term surveys indicate that most youth do not progress to abusing other drugs. But among those who do progress, their drug abuse history can vary by neighborhood drug availability, demographic groups, and other characteristics of the abuser population. In general, the pattern of abuse is associated with levels of social disapproval, perceived risk, and the availability of drugs in the community.

Scientists have proposed several hypotheses as to why individuals first become involved with drugs and then escalate to abuse. One explanation is a biological cause, such as having a family history of drug or alcohol abuse, which may genetically predispose a person to drug abuse. Another explanation is that starting to abuse a drug may lead to affiliation with more drug-abusing peers which, in turn, exposes the individual to other drugs. Indeed, many factors may be involved.

Different patterns of drug initiation have been identified based on gender, race or ethnicity, and geographic location. For example, research has found that the circumstances in which young people are offered drugs can depend on gender. Boys generally receive more drug offers and at younger ages. Initial drug abuse can also be influenced by where drugs are offered, such as parks, streets, schools, homes, or parties. Additionally, drugs may be offered by different people including, for example, siblings, friends, or even sad to say, parents.

While most youth do not progress beyond initial use, a small percentage rapidly escalate their substance abuse. Researchers have found that these youth are the most likely to have experienced a combination of high levels of risk factors with low levels of protective factors. These adolescents were characterized by high stress, low parental support, and low academic competence.

However, there are protective factors that can suppress the escalation to substance abuse. These factors include self-control, which tends to inhibit problem behavior and often increases naturally as children mature during adolescence. In addition, protective family structure, individual personality, and environmental variables can reduce the impact of serious risks of drug abuse. Preventive interventions can provide skills and support to high-risk youth to enhance levels of protective factors and prevent escalation to drug abuse.

• Parents can use information on risk and protection to help them develop positive preventive actions (e.g. talking about family rules) before problems occur.

• Educators can strengthen learning and bonding to school by addressing aggressive behaviors and poor concentration-risks associated with later onset of drug abuse and related problems.

• Community Leaders can assess community risk and protective factors associated with drug problems to best target prevention services.

For more information please feel free to contact us at 032-2315229 or 032-2389143.

Early start

Understanding misbehavior

For a parent of young children, discipline can be challenging and frustrating. Parents want to find the best way to help their children become a better person and are bombarded with information and differing perspectives on how to do so.

While there is no one way to discipline children, one of the keys to making the right decisions about how to teach a young child is to base decisions on a good understanding of child development. This will give parents insight into why a child is behaving the way he or she is and help them to find the most effective way to teaching and guiding them.

Why do young children misbehave?

First, it is important to note that much of what we call "misbehavior" is actually a child's reaction to unrealistic expectations on the part of a parent/adult. For example, young children have short attention spans and lots of energy. If you expect them to sit quietly for 30 minutes, they will surely move around and misbehave. In cases like this, the solution is to set realistic expectations based on knowledge of child development.

A child may misbehave because s/he is too young to know that their actions are unacceptable. A two-year-old-child who moves around or makes noise in church or at a movie still does not understand society's rules of conduct for these places.

A child's memory is short and there are many rules to learn. Oftentimes a child will 'disobey' their parent because they do not remember what they were told days or weeks ago. Remind your child of rules or expectations often, especially in the situations when they must be followed.

Young children have lots of desire for independence and little skill to do things independently. Consequently they get frustrated, angry or upset. Since they also haven't developed the skills to express their feelings, they may shout, hit, and throw a tantrum to express what they feel inside.

Acknowledge your child's frustration and support the child in doing things independently. Children are sensitive and perceptive. Changes in the family, such as the arrival of a new sibling or a divorce, can affect the child's sense of security and stability. This causes the child to be stressed, and since they still cannot understand the situation or express how they feel, they will often act out to release their emotions or to express that something is not right. It is often better to acknowledge to the child that things are changing (but don't overexplain) and how that might affect people's feelings. Reinforce that the child is loved and will be protected no matter what.

Children need to feel loved and needed. If parents do not pay attention when children behave appropriately, they may misbehave as a way of getting noticed and eliciting a reaction. For the child, any attention is better than none. Parents can help their child's self-esteem by playing with them, doing positive, fun activities together.

Young children have an innate sense of right and wrong. Since they cannot articulate their feelings, they often turn to action to express a sense of injustice. Children who feel that adults have been unfair to them (not paying attention, depriving them of their basic needs, hitting) may misbehave to express this sense of injustice.

While young children need to feel safe and secure, they also have a strong desire for freedom. If the child feels constricted or overly controlled, s/he may misbehave as a way to try to get more freedom. Give your child room to safely do things on his/her own. Give him/her two or three acceptable options so s/he can make choices (Would you like to wear the red shoes or rubber shoes?).

In summary, the disciplining of a young child entails teaching them what acceptable behavior is. It is important to understand how and why children act out and match the discipline of your child with your child's capacity to understand the world. Many times, if you know the reasons for your child's misbehavior or feelings, you can help solve the underlying problems and guide them towards the appropriate actions.

Source: www.betterhealth .vic.gov.au (FREEMAN)