If you find out (or suspect) that your teen is abusing substances, what should you do? After the initial panic subsides, what are the best steps to take? Joining Dr. Meg today is mental health and substance abuse counselor Richard Capriola, an expert in his field who has treated teens and adults for two decades, and the author of the book, “The Addicted Child: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse.”
DR. MEG WITH GUEST RICHARD CAPRIOLA (Part 1)
Many times, mental health and substance abuse go hand in hand. Guest Richard Capriola explains how parents are often surprised when they find out the extent of either (or both) diagnosis in their teen. They missed the warning signs because nobody told them what to look for. Richard wrote his book, “The Addicted Child: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse” in an effort to help parents know what warning signs to look for, which assessments may be needed, what the options are for treatment, and to hopefully make parents feel more confident and less afraid of the topic of adolescent substance abuse, should they need to confront it.
In this episode, Richard discusses whether some personalities are more prone to addictive behavior in children as they get older, or if every child is at risk. He sheds light on the different warning signs parents need to be looking for, as well as how to effectively deal with their teen’s behavior during substance abuse treatment, without the fear of driving them away.
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DR. MEG WITH GUEST MAX LUCADO (Part 2)
Richard Capriola and Dr. Meg continue their conversation about adolescent substance abuse, discussing which substances are most commonly being used among teens today, including a very alarming rise in vaping. Also discussed is how the COVID-19 pandemic affected adolescents – while the pandemic drove down adolescent substance abuse, it caused a dramatic increase in mental health issues among teenagers, including depression, anxiety and fear. Richard also talks about the effect of marijuana on teenagers, now that this substance has been legalized in many states.
FROM THE PRODUCER
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