What You Don't Know Can Hurt Them! From Jail Cells to Brain Cells: Teens and Substance Use Disorders in the New Millenium

Ask The Expert: Mark Menestrina, MD, Brighton Hospital

Q: Is teen alcohol and drug use really a problem?

A: Teens are especially vulnerable to alcohol and other drugs. The pre-frontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for executive decisions and judgment, is not fully developed until a person is in their twenties. Early use of substances is predictive of subsequent Substance Use Disorders. In addition, when teens use substances, the results can be especially tragic. Barbara Madras, of the Office of Drug Control Policy, has said, it is no longer a war on drugs, rather, a defense of our young peoples' brains!

While teens usually overestimate drug and alcohol use among their peers, parents almost always underestimate such use. While some risk factors for teen substance use, such as family history, are not modifiable, others can be. Parental attitude also plays a critical role in protecting our youth. Parents need to be informed and involved. A recent non-scientific social networking survey of teens and alcohol use revealed that 91% of young people who drank felt they got away with it because they considered their parents "clueless"!

Times have changed! You may be clueless yourself if you think "Gateway" is only a computer company or if you consider "Designers" just expensive jeans. If you think a "Pharm Party" is a rural recreational activity involving tractors you may be under informed. And "Robo-Tripping" is not what R2D2 did in Star Wars.

• "Gateway Drug" is the first illicit substance a young person uses. Since 2005, that is most likely to be prescription drugs, especially pain medications.
• "Designer Drugs" are changes made to controlled substances in an attempt to make them not illegal.
• "Pharm Parties" involve teens bringing medications to a party to put in a candy bowl for all to use.
• "Robo-Tripping" is abuse of over-the-counter dextromethorphan (as in Robitussin).

Being a parent is full of challenges, but remember to be a parent, not a friend. To address substance use issues with your children is not easy. But to not address them can be even more traumatic. We teach our children at an early age to not go with strangers, to wear seatbelts, to be aware of fire safety. These are appropriate topics, to be sure. We often don't address the risks of teen alcohol and substance use, and our young people sometimes die before they have a chance to hear such messages.

Get informed, seek advice and counseling when needed, and always know it's not just someone else's kids who may have problems. It can happen to anyone! Lastly, if your teen may be using substances, you are not alone!

Dr. Mark Menestrina is the Medical Director of the detox unit at Brighton Hospital and the Medical Director of the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance. He is a board member of the Livionia Save Our Youth Task Force as well as Building Better Families Through Action. He is Board Certified in Family Practice and certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Menestrina is a frequent presenter at schools, public events and media presentations. He can be reached at (734) 421-7997 or mmenestrina@brightonhospital.org.

SAVE THE DATE
Are Your Kids at Risk? Unexpected Dangers

Tuesday May 11, 2010 (7pm)
Presenters: Mark Menestrina MD, Gary Wilson and Randall Cain, Attorneys at Law and Lynda Zott, CARE Youth Assistance Program
St. Michael's Episcopal Church (20475 Sunningdale Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, next to Parcells School)
No fee. RSVP by May 4 at 313.432.3832
More info about the event...

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