Leslie Glass's Blog, page 410
December 20, 2017
5 Great Gifts On A Budget
“Holiday gifts on a budget?” You ask. It seems impossible, I know. For many years, I was an over-gifter. For every major holiday, birthday or special occasion, whether I had a lot or a little money, I ran to the mall to get gifts for all my family and friends. I even bought gifts for the post office employees.
I love giving gifts to my friends and family because I love seeing them smile. Unfortunately, paying for all those gifts can be painful. Over the years, I found other ways to acknowledge my loved ones without bursting my budget.
5 Great Gifts On A Budget
Photos are timeless gifts. They keep friends and family in the loop of what is happening with you.
Host gatherings and parties. Having a good time together, sharing food and treasured recipes brings the holidays spirit without gifts. You are giving the gift of experience and sharing good times together to remember.
Revive the lost-art of letter writing. A thoughtful greeting card with a meaningful quote goes a long way. Crafty friends could even create hand-made greeting cards.
Home-baked goodies are a timely treat. Resist the urge to be fancy, and just follow an easy recipe for chocolate chip cookies. My speciality is banana bread with chocolate chips. After all, who doesn’t love chocolate?
Give the gift of thyme. Get 2-3 fresh herb plants and arrange them in a decorative pot. This gift is perfect for those who love to cook.
You do not need to judge the value of the gift you give. That is not important, and there is no need to feel embarrassed if you do not have much or any money to spend on gifts. A gift’s value cannot match the relationship’s value. The gifts are always token gestures in comparison. As motivational speaker, Tony Robbins reminds us:
“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.”
Finally, if someone offers you a gift, and you do not have one for them, graciously say thank you. Your smile is actually what they really wanted anyway.
If you need help dealing with addiction, check out Recovery Guidance for a free and safe resource to find professionals near you.
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Holiday boundaries keep traditions safe
Holiday boundaries can conflict with traditions now that holiday gatherings are upon us again. Hallmark cards depict mom and dad and a couple of cherub-cheeked children warming themselves by a fire. Or sledding, shopping, baking cookies, visiting Santa or … any traditions that go along with the holidays. When seasonal images of togetherness don’t match up with boundaries to limit toxic family interactions, then what?
Holiday Boundaries Are Needed Because Some Emotions Can’t Be Ignored
Trauma, grief and addiction aren’t feelings that can be neatly tucked away during times of festivity. When a family member’s behavior requires detachment in families whose holiday traditions are steeped in … well…traditions..how can we honor the traditions while still maintaining our boundaries?
Creating new traditions around loss (either a family member who has passed away, or is currently banished) can be healthy and help us move forward. Some family members are not safe to be around, accepting that reality works better than trying to force everyone to get together for the sake of the holiday,
Creating detachment from family members is no easy task. Vacillating, second guessing and giving more chances often sabotages even the most resolute among us. Add to that the pressures of holiday family gatherings and all the happy memories, and the boundaries that took so long to put in place begin to crumble like cookies.
Avoid The Tradition Of Turning A Blind Eye
However, if we realize that the tradition of turning a blind eye because of the holidays has been a choice, we understand that we can choose differently while still maintaining the boundary and the tradition. Smudging boundaries leaves family traditions in ruins because we want the holiday to be the way it was and the person to be the way they were before whatever happened that caused the need for space and detachment. It serves no one to create resentment around festivities meant to draw people together.
Family members can be honored and remembered in many ways throughout the season, even while maintaining healthy holiday boundaries.
Make a place setting at the table for your loved one who is absent.
Donate to a favorite charity in their honor.
Support their choices from a distance and without voicing your opinion.
Doing whatever it takes. Being present without directing sometimes means not being physically in their presence.
Standing back and giving someone else the space to figure things out for themselves is a way of letting the other person know that you trust them. Trust is a big gift.
Remember the way it used to be, but choose the way it is now. Choice doesn’t victimize – it empowers.
When we empower others by leaning back with our support, instead of leaning in and being the director, we are gifting them with our respect and our unconditional love. And isn’t love the basis of family traditions, after all?
If you need help with family trauma or addiction, check out Recovery Guidance for a free and safe resource to find addiction and mental health providers near you.
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What is clenbuterol?
The drug is both a decongestant and a bronchodilator. A decongestant thins the blood to reduce blood pressure while a bronchodilator widens the vessels that carry oxygen, so the volume of oxygen in the blood increases.
In some European and Latin American countries, clenbuterol is approved as an asthma drug for humans too. But, in the United States, it is a banned substance for this purpose.
In the U.S. in the past, clenbuterol has been used in animal rearing as well as by vets. In 1991, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service found it had been fed to livestock, so the animals gained more muscle and less fat. But, again, in many countries, clenbuterol is illegal for animal use.
The drug is now controversial because of its use in bodybuilding and weight-loss programs.
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Teen marijuana use may lead to bipolar symptoms later on
The use of cannabis, more popularly known as marijuana, among teens may have dire consequences on their mental health in later years.
A new study fills this research gap by examining how cannabis use among teenagers is linked with hypomania in early adulthood.
The research was led by Dr. Steven Marwaha, a clinical academic psychiatrist from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, and the findings were published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin.
Dr. Marwaha and colleagues started out from the observation that despite the documented link between teenage marijuana use and psychiatric disorders, the prospective association between cannabis use and symptoms of bipolar disorder has been insufficiently investigated.
In fact, at Medical News Today, we have reported on several studies that have illuminated the link between teenage cannabis use and psychiatric conditions. For instance, one study suggested that marijuana use causes changes in brain structure that are similar to those caused by schizophrenia.
Another study in rodents suggested that adolescent use of the drug may bring about schizophrenia symptoms, but only in those already genetically susceptible to the illness.
This study looked at the link between teenage use of cannabis and hypomania, which is a symptom that is often experienced by those with bipolar disorder. Hypomania is characterized by feelings of elation, intense excitement, reduced need for sleep, and hyperactivity.
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December 18, 2017
Surviving Holiday Secondhand Drama
Christmas is supposed to be filled with love, good food, gifts, and memories. Instead, Christmas at my Mom’s is often filled with repressed anger, tension, and jealousy. Drama hangs in the air like secondhand smoke. Does this happen to anyone else? Please tell me I’m not alone. Here’s how I plan to abstain and recover from the unhealthy environment.
What is Secondhand Drama?
Technically, my family’s problems have nothing to do with me, yet I get involved. Addiction is a family disease, and it shapes the roles of each family member. My role is peacemaker. Here’s how it played out in the past:
My Dad gets angry at my brother Ricky.
Then my Mom gets mad at my Dad for being too hard on Ricky.
I comfort my Dad because I think my Mom and Ricky are both wrong.
Then Ricky gets mad at my Mom for something else. The cycle continues.
Sound familiar? For years, I was addicted to this cycle of family drama. Not because it’s fun, but because I needed the drama to feel normal and safe. While I hated the controversy, I loved being the peacemaker. I circled from one wounded party to the next, consoling and agreeing with each grievance. Yet, I left each gathering feeling slimy and unappreciated, two sure signs of exposure to secondhand drama.
After my son was born, I didn’t have time to care for a small child and my dysfunctional family. I wanted to quit being the peacemaker, but I wasn’t strong enough to quit attending dysfunctional holiday parties. For the next 10 years, I kept going to family functions, but the anxiety from potential drama made me physically sick. I stuffed my feelings and stayed longer than I wanted. These are also signs of exposure to secondhand drama.
Breaking Free From Secondhand Drama
Three years ago, I finally reached my breaking point. I moved out of state and haven’t been back until now. During this time, I went to weekly Al-Anon meetings and completed a 12-step study.
Next week, I’m going back home for Christmas. It will be a family gathering filled with drama. Ricky’s ex-wives, addiction, co-dependency, and ghosts from arguments past will all be there. Am I strong enough to face the drama without indulging?
I Must Examine My Motives
Why did I play along? I needed love. Everything I did was to try to get them to love me or to prove I was worthy of love. Yet, nothing I did was ever enough to get the love I needed. At first, I blamed them. How dare they not love me? The truth is:
They are too sick to love anyone else.
I was looking for self-love from others, which is never possible. Self-love can only come from me.
My Plan For Disaster
Since not feeling loved is weakness, I must be filled with love before I go. A love-starved Grace puts me at risk for gorging on the secondhand drama. Here’s what I am doing to prepare:
This week before I go, I’m reading up on self-love.
Once I get there, I will be taking lots of breaks alone in my room.
I know when and where I can find an Al-Anon meeting.
I’ll spend extra time taking care of me.
I’ll take many outdoor walks. My home state is in the cold, snowy, Midwest. Walking in the cold, crisp winter is a great way to air out family tension.
I will keep my motives in mind and ask myself, “What’s best for me?”
I will also remind myself that my brother and my mom are smart people. The dramas they face are theirs, not mine. They can and should figure out their own problems.
Meanwhile, I will keep my mouth shut.
Instead of stuffing my feelings, I will acknowledge them, but I won’t let them control me.
If necessary, I will cut the trip short.
And, of course, I’ll have my sponsor’s number on speed dial.
What’s your plan for secondhand family drama? Are you going to be the one fanning the flames or trying to put them out?
Maybe it’s time to seek professional help with your family drama. Check out Recovery Guidance. It’s a free and safe resource that lists licensed therapists and family support meetings.
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Compulsive Spending Recovery
If you are a compulsive spender, you know the highs and lows that accompany the 5 phases of spending: anticipation, preparation, shopping, spending, remorse. You also know which phases are the most fun, and which produce the stomach dropping plunge to the pits when payment is due. You love getting things; you spend hours and hours and devote much of your creative energy to your acquisitions. And it’s only getting worse. What can you do?
Why You Need Help To Stop
The reward system of the brain is triggered the same way as substance use disorders and process disorders (also called process addictions) such as sexual addictions, workaholism, exercise addiction, and food disorders. A process addiction doesn’t get better on its own, just as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer and not be ignored and expected to manage themselves.
3 Steps To Start Your Recovery
Ditch the denial and start telling the truth. First be honest with yourself, then talk to loved ones about the problem. They already know. They may already have been hurt. They will welcome solutions.
Get some good information about compulsive spending recovery and shopping and share it with your family. No one heals from an addiction alone
Develop a plan-of-action choosing what you need from the tools below
Your Support Team
Get a financial adviser to make a plant to get out of debt
Seek individual and group therapy as well as family therapy. Cognitive (thought) behavioral (action) therapy is especially useful as it can teach you how to resist urges to spend, or utilize process therapy to delve into your issues at a deeper level. An addiction therapist can focus on your treatment and recovery as well as other mental health or addictive issues.
Seek inpatient treatment if needed.
Seek psychiatric help as there may be medications (such as antidepressants) that can help with the impulsivity.
Talk to your spiritual/religious mentor..
Join the free 12 programs, Spenders Anonymous or Debtors Anonymous. These groups are based on the same 12 Steps as AA and NA for substance use disorders. Besides the actual 12 steps, both groups have excellent resources regarding how to cope with compulsive spending or the debt you have incurred due to the spending.
Get a sponsor, someone who has the same problems but who has been free of the behavior and who has been working the steps. Utilizing the steps can help you or your loved one to get honest, make amends for your behavior, and go beyond the addiction into recovery.
Strategies To Use Every Day
Examine needs vs. wants and shop only for needs. All right, this isn’t easy. You think you need everything.
Use healthy coping skills such as: exercise; do creative activities, especially ones that involve your hands; think about other things; read; journal; meditate, attend book clubs or spiritual meetings; talk to others who understand your addiction; focus on gratitude for what you have; and continue to develop and utilize healthy leisure time.
Practice mindfulness; this can help you to learn how to shop mindfully (you may need to work with a professional regarding this)
Have someone else do the shopping for you or not going shopping alone and shopping with someone who doesn’t have a problem
Develop a shopping list with non-addicts and only buy what’s on the list
When shopping leave credit/debit cards and large amounts of cash at home (only take what you need per the shopping list);
Destroy all credit/debit cards except for one for emergencies.
Never shop when you are angry, sad, depressed, or feeling other feelings which may trigger your compulsion; never shop at stores where you typically overspend
Walk away from an impulse to spend – give yourself time to think about it.
Stay off the internet and TV home-shopping networks.
Don’t shop during holiday “bargains” or other store bargain times; and avoid discount shops, especially ones where you buy in bulk.
Compulsive spending is an addictive process, but one that can be overcome with a healthy recovery plan. And while it is difficult to stop all shopping and spending (unlike drugs and alcohol where the goal is total abstinence), it can be managed. And with such management, you can become healthier in all areas of your life.
You don’t have to go it alone. If you need help with your spending or any other addiction, check out Recovery Guidance for a free and safe resource to find addiction and mental health professionals near you.
The post Compulsive Spending Recovery appeared first on Reach Out Recovery.
December 17, 2017
The 5 Phases Of Compulsive Spending
The 5 phases of compulsive spending take you through the highs of an actual addiction. And if you’re a compulsive spender, you’re not alone on this rollercoaster ride. The 5 phases of compulsive spending are what make it so compelling. It’s not just one moment. It’s the whole process. Donald W. Black, author of A Review of Compulsive Buying Disorder, notes that there are 4 phases of compulsive buying: “1) anticipation; 2) preparation; 3) shopping; and 4) spending.” We add a fifth phase, which is remorse. These are stages that are also seen in other addictions (now known as use or process disorders).
5 Phases of Compulsive Spending
Anticipation
This is the stage of the thoughts and feelings, including preoccupation and urges to use. This may begin the process of euphoria. You see commercials on TV, or Facebook ads and start thinking about purchases. You are excited about the possibility of buying something, or everything.
Preparation
This stage is where the compulsive shopper makes plans to go shopping. Here he/she/they think about the process by getting ready to go – dressing, getting money available, and thinking about which stores to go to. You may also spend hours and hours researching items to buy in Ebay, or your favorite online stores. This takes up a lot of your time. The feelings of euphoria heightens at this phase.
Shopping
This is the main event. You have researched the product for hours online, or walked the mall. You may be online and ready to pay.There is often a sense of excitement, fun, gratification. You have a “high,” and even a sense of euphoria that comes with the fulfillment of your “mission” to get something.
Spending
The is the time when the piper has to be paid. This is the follow-up to the main event, paying for the goods/services. This may happen immediately, or it may hit home when the bills come in, every month a little worse than before.
Remorse
While Donald Black incorporates this into phase 4 in his article, we believe that this is a separate phase. Remorse, guilt, shame, depression, anxiety, or other negative thoughts and feelings are a whole phase unto themselves and also takes up a lot of emotional time and energy. Sometimes during this phase, the spender may decide to return the items to the store, give them away, hide them, sell them, or discard them as a way to try to appease the feelings brought on by the compulsion to spend.
11 Spending Triggers That Tempt Us All
Craving to get something just because…
Desire to reward yourself for something (“I did a nice thing for my neighbor so I can treat myself”)
Desire to do something to make yourself look better so you buy clothes, makeup, perfume or cologne
Coping with painful emotions (“I’m stressed about work so ‘retail therapy’ will help me feel better” or “Shopping will help me to get out of this depression”)
Believing that spending, even if compulsive, is better than drinking or drugging
Needing to impress the neighbors/family/friends/coworkers and others with new things
Always wanting something new because the buy-it-now culture values things over everything else
Falling for ads that tell you how much better you will be or perform or feel with the product
Being drawn into online shopping, or TV home-shopping channels
Believing that purchasing something on sale is a bargain so you have to have it
Being made to feel important by salespeople whose sole goal is to get you to buy something
How Is Compulsive Spending Defined
The definition of addiction (Substance Use Disorder or Process Disorder as the basis of this compulsion. “An addiction is an unhealthy relationship with or to a mood-altering, substance, event, person, or thing which has life damaging consequences” (author unknown).
WebMD states that compulsive shopping is: “An obsession with shopping that significantly interferes with the functioning of the individual. The signs are a preoccupation with shopping; anxiety when not shopping; a constant need for a shopping ‘fix’; shopping to excess that results in debt and family or marital discord; and the frequent purchase of items that go unused.”
If you, or someone you know has a problem with compulsive spending, check out Recovery Guidance for a free and safe resource to find addiction and mental health professionals near you
Also check out
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What Is Compulsive Spending
Compulsive spending is not what happens when people indulge for occasions like birthdays, Christmas or other holidays. Problem spending is year round, and relentless, buying with no real need or purpose. If you recognize yourself as someone who “needs” to shop, you are are not alone. In fact, studies find that about 1-10% of the U.S. population suffers from this disorder, with the majority (50-90%) of problem spenders being women.
What Is Compulsive Spending
There are varying definitions of compulsive spending but most include the following symptoms:
A strong desire/urge to shop and spend
Impulsiveness
Buying things that aren’t needed
Getting a high from spending
Consequences for the spending
Process addictions include gambling, eating disorders, sex addictions, and other behavioral addictions.
An addiction is defined as an unhealthy relationship with, or to, a mood-altering substance, event, person, or thing which has life-damaging consequences.
With this definition, we see that there is an unhealthy relationship to spending, a mood-altering event (there is a high associated with the spending), and consequences that cause problems. If you or your loved one meets the criteria from these definitions, then you are looking at a problematic and addictive behavior.
What Causes Compulsive Spending
Like substance addictions, there may be varying causes of this addiction. Some researchers believe there is a biological/genetic component; some feel it is related to a problematic childhood, especially one of deprivation; it may be related to various mental illnesses (as noted above); as a way to feel good about yourself; as a coping skill for difficult emotions; having a strong need for excitement/euphoria; being a materialist (you love things); and the influence of this culture’s focus on buying/spending (materialism) with the media’s glamorization of various products.
16 Warning Signs Of Compulsive Spending
spending to relieve distressing feelings such as depression and anxiety
impulsiveness
feeling “high” when thinking about shopping or when buying things
lying about or hiding the shopping/spending
justifying the behavior to yourself or others
feeling guilt, shame, or anger at yourself after spending
preoccupation regarding shopping
having numerous credit cards – many of which have been maxed out
buying unneeded products or services (such as getting a massage every day)
hiding bills or being the person who does the bills and not showing this to the partner
compulsive watching TV home-shopping channels or looking at products on the internet which can lead to the compulsive spending
fear of losing your car or home because of chronic spending
others tell you they think you have a problem
fighting with family or friends over your spending
stealing/hoarding the goods/seeing the clutter in the home
12 Deadly Consequence Of Compulsive Spending
family secrets by hiding the behaviors and the products
family fights regarding the spending
relational concerns due to not being present or not participating in relationships because of escaping into addictive behaviors
having a house full of clutter
spending significant time thinking, planning, and spending (preoccupation)
financial problems such a maxing out credit cards, poor credit ratings, using up savings, and going into debt
missing work/being preoccupied at work about the next shopping spree
physical health problems such as sleep deprivation or over/undereating due to stress and preoccupation about the spending
emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, and stress-disorders and not participating in healthy ways to cope with the feelings
intellectual losses by choosing other behaviors instead of learning, reading, having intellectual discussions, etc.
spiritual concerns such as violating own moral/values code; neglecting to participate in healthy spiritual activities such as meditation, prayer, being creative, playing, or being in nature.
While the DSM-V (the bible of diagnoses of mental health and substance use disorders) does not include compulsive spending as a separate addiction (only gambling is listed as a process addiction), many therapists do see this as an addiction. Also, this compulsive behavior may be related to these DSM-V diagnoses: impulse-control disorder, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and some personality disorders.
Please remember that if you or a loved one has this disorder, there are ways to help you, so don’t despair.
If you have a problem with compulsive spending, check out Recovery Guidance for a free and safe resource to find addiction and mental health professionals near you
Also check out Debtors Anonymous
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December 16, 2017
Holiday Expectations
Holiday expectations can break your heart. As the youngest of four children I was automatically labeled “The Baby” and thus began my journey of being left out. My older siblings treated me as the Baby even now when I am old enough to have grandchildren of my own.
A Lifetime Of Unfulfilled Holiday Expectations
My siblings have chosen to exclude me from much of their lives for their own reasons: I wasn’t old enough; they thought I got special treatment from my parents: we have different religious, and yes, different political views. Then, when they were getting married and having children, I had the pleasure of always being at the “kids” table because I wasn’t old enough, or didn’t have that special person in my life. My siblings get together to see each other without me, and don’t even ask if I’d like to be included. If any of the above resembles your family interactions, maybe these four tips will help you get through the holidays.
First Ditch The Holiday Expectations Of Happy Unified Family
I have decided rather that wasting my time on being hurt because I am not included that I would adjust my expectations of them. Realizing that this is how they are and not to expect better behavior or manners from them. Putting my expectations of how I want them to act is not fair to them and no, I have never told them how much the exclusion has bothered me over the years. It goes back to you can’t expect others to make you happy, it comes from within. It has taken me a long time to get to this point and realize that I wish someone had told me these things years ago.
So, when your family is gathering for the holidays, think about these things instead of relying on your expectations, adjust your thinking to what you can control:
Be happy and thankful that you have a family. Enjoy the time you can with them, as we all know they won’t be around forever.
Accept family of origin as they are, and hope that they do the same for you. We all have our flaws, and they may have their own expectations that you don’t meet too.
If you have to be with them, put a smile on your face. Most likely it’s for a short time, you can handle it!
Remember that you can’t choose your blood family, but you can choose to spend time with “family” you choose, those who bring you joy. I have a whole separate “family” from my relatives. Make sure you set aside time for these people too and don’t feel the slightest bit guilty for giving yourself that time!
These expectations apply to all aspects of your life. When things aren’t going the way you “expect” them to, stop and make sure you aren’t forcing your expectations onto other situations.
Reach Out Recovery Exclusive by Merle
If your family has broken your heart and spirit, you may need some help to recover. Check out Recovery Guidance for a free and safe resources to find mental health professionals near you.
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10 Ways To Help Your Kids With Substance Prevention
When it comes to teen substance use, delay is the best prevention. But, how can you influence your kids to delay experimenting with substances when they have so many other influences? You may feel helpless about the behaviors and substances your kids are exposed to at school. You’re not alone. Parents everywhere are worried about substance use, but there are proven ways to help your child make healthy choices and stay on track throughout their childhood and teenage years.
Parents Have The Best Leverage For Preventing Teen Substance Use
Kids love their parents. They want their parents approval and want to please them. Parents who are involve with their children, know their needs and challenges can be the most helpful in guiding them through the rough passages of teen years.
These 10 Tips Work For Teen Substance Use Prevention
Try them all and see how powerful they are.
Listen and talk to your kids Children need to be heard by their family members. Make sure that you check in with them throughout the day and hear them out – not while you’re doing 5 other tasks – but when you can actually listen. And while those 5 other tasks are important, they usually aren’t more important than this. Hear what their day has been like; listen to their joys, fears and sorrows; and listen to anything that might be related to substance use. Learn about their friends. Talking with your kids means to talk about everything – including drugs and alcohol. You have wisdom to share (even though they may not think so) and they need to hear this wisdom. Relate to them how hard it must be to have drugs and alcohol presented to them and the choices they must make.
Mentor healthy behavior If you smoke cigarettes, drink irresponsibly, use illegal drugs or misuse prescription drugs, then these first two steps will be mostly meaningless. Children do not respond to “do as I say, not as I do.” Model healthy behavior for them by being healthy yourself.
Do family things together. The family that does healthy activities together mentors healthy behavior, but also, the child sees there are so many things one can do in life that are pleasurable without using. Eat meals together; go on a family trip, even for a day; jog together; visit family friends; have their friends participate with the family; participate in religious/spiritual events; watch funny movies.
Be involved in their schools Know their teachers, their classes, their peers, and especially, their friends. Go to school-related events; be on the PTA or do other volunteer work there; participate in anti-drug school events.
Encourage participation in extra-curricular activities Studies show that kids who participate in extra-curricular activities such as sports, choir, band, chess club, a gay-straight alliance, or do volunteer work, do better in school and set the stage for their future lives.
Educate yourself and them about substance use and consequences In today’s world of reliance on substances, you need to be educated about drugs and alcohol including the signs and symptoms of use, consequences, positive parenting behaviors, and treatment options (if needed). Your children also need to be educated – make it a family affair and learn together.
Discuss social media’s glamorization No matter where they are, children and teens are bombarded about the wonders of substances. Limit their time on social media and monitor what they are watching or games they are playing while discussing why this is being done and how the media glorifies using.
Set boundaries, expectations, and supervise them. Good parenting involves setting healthy boundaries (yes means yes and no means no). Help them through the temptations and problems that may be influencing the desire to use and provide supervision. This means exploring choices and consequences regarding use.
Use positive reinforcement Let your child know when you are pleased with their choices and continue to encourage such healthy decisions. Don’t just assume they know you are happy for their choices – tell them and show them.
Store alcohol or medications you have behind lock and key While you want to trust them, leaving drugs and alcohol out for easy access is too much of a temptation for many kids.
In summary, use your good parenting skills to help your children get through their childhoods and teenage years. And know that if there are problems, there is information and treatment readily available to help you.
If you need help with teen substance use or other behaviors, check out Recovery Guidance for a free and safe resource to find addiction and mental health professionals near you.
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