Youth Substance Abuse - Another Look

Sometimes a subject is worth visiting again, and this month Physician Focus takes another look at youth substance abuse. The numbers show just how widespread the problem is: By the time of high-school graduation, 80 percent of students will have tried alcohol; 40 percent, marijuana; and 9 percent, prescription drugs.

“Teen substance use is very common, says Sharon Levy, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. “That makes it difficult for us to know how serious the problem is, or what to do about it, until we have more information such as the results of a screen or a full assessment.”

Because of the severity of the problem, Physician Focus in November continues a discussion we began in July with John Knight, M.D. , a colleague of Dr. Levy’s at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Levy joins host and primary care physician Mavis Jaworski, M.D. for an expanded look at youth substance abuse.

“The truth is,” Dr. Levy says, “is that kids growing up in the United States are going to be exposed to tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other substances, and the best thing a parent can do is to talk openly with their kids about it.” But, she says, “because addiction is a disease of secrets and substance abuse is a behavior of secrets, it can be hard for parents to discover substance abuse by their children.”

Dr. Levy, who specializes in adolescent substance abuse and developmental and behavioral pediatrics, offers guidance for parents on how to talk to their children about the subject, what parents should look for if they suspect a problem, how primary care physicians can help, and the treatment options available for those caught up in substance abuse.

Her ASAP program at Boston Children’s Hospital is the only substance abuse program located within a department of pediatrics, a unique arrangement that allows her and her associates to see a wide range of substance abuse problems and disorders.

One of the most important pieces of advice Dr. Levy offers is the importance of communicating with kids about difficult topics. “That’s something that I try to teach parents who come to our program,” she states.

She also urges parents to look at the positive, even as the child copes with substance abuse and treatment, Dr. Levy urges parents to look at the positive. “Remember all the good things about your child,” she says, “as you try to rebuild the relationship while you’re working on behavior.”

Please join us this month on Physician Focus for a continuing conversation about a problem that affects the future of so many young people.