One in Five Teens Share Their Prescription Drugs with Friends
(Research Summary from Join Together article, August 24, 2009)

A survey of 12- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. has found that about 20 percent said they have given their prescription drugs like Oxycontin and Darvocet to friends or obtained drugs the same way, Reuters reported Aug. 18.

Allergy drugs, narcotic pain relievers, antibiotics, acne medications, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications were the most commonly shared. Three-quarters of those who borrowed drugs from friends said they did so in lieu of visiting a doctor.

About one-third of those who borrowed medications said they had experienced an allergic reaction or other negative side-effects as a result.

Past research has shown that 40 percent of adults also share their medications. "However, prior to our study, no one had asked adolescents how often they shared prescription medications, which meds they shared and what some of the outcomes were," said lead researcher Richard Goldsworthy of Academic Edge, Inc.

The study was published online in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

LEGACY COMMENT: Parents - talk to your kids about the dangers of taking unprescribed pharmaceutical drugs, no matter how harmless they may seem or how enthusiastic friends are about giving it a try. Drug interactions, overdose and allergic reactions are potential problems you can help your children avoid.

Plenty of free pamphlet resources available on LEGACY Website - Order NCADI Tips for Teens

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Mental Health and Help for Children
(We are pleased to share this article from our summer college intern - Kristen Gull. She chose her own topic, did interviews of other college students, and expressed a young adult perspective. Your comments are welcome via email.)

Some parents may have doubts about seeking mental professional help for their children, yet the issue is far too important.

In fact, one 19-year-old girl diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) earlier this year, shared that she was astonished at how many people do not consider her symptoms to amount to a "disorder." "The question I get the most," she said. "Is 'Doesn't everybody have those problems a little bit?'" >/i>

These questions from friends at one point made her doubt her diagnosis and the field of psychology in general. However, she continued, "Having a therapist really helped confirm that I was not just a healthy person who could not cope with life, but a sick person who needed a little extra help coping. I wish I had gone to therapy sooner."

"Adolescents differ in their responses to stressful life experiences," says Dr. Lisa Boesky in her book, When to Worry: How to Tell if Your Teen Needs Help and What to Do About It (2007). Therapy can save a teen's life, especially if they are already on medication for depression and/or anxiety.

An 18-year-old girl originally diagnosed with Depression, was later diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. "They put me on Lexapro, an antidepressant, which seemed to help at first, but instead drove me into a state of mania." The potential for such reactions may be an important reason to explore talk therapy along with medication.

A mental health professional can help explore these thoughts and ask questions without judgment in a safe environment, and if necessary, hone in on the proper diagnosis. They can also provide exercises and devices to work on psychological strengths and weaknesses. Therapy sessions are designed to eliminate self-destructive thought cycles and behaviors. And, "Treatment is much more effective in the early stages," says Dr. Boesky.

If your teen's behavior is negatively impacting his or her family life, academics, and/or friendships, it may not be a lack of discipline. It may in fact have to do with "inherited genes or other type of biological vulnerability, exposure to social and environmental stressors, and/or a teen's particular abilities and coping skills," according to Dr. Boesky.

While not all teenagers are mentally ill or will benefit from therapy, it is dangerous to a child who may need therapy to be denied because of a stigma, as Boesky states in "Stigma: Alive and Well in the 21st Century."

If you are having trouble talking to your teen, going to a therapist may help bridge the gap. Having an open dialogue about life at home, school, and with friends will help clear the air. Validating your teenager's emotions, even if they are intense, is important. Although you may feel like your teen can talk to you about anything, they may not feel the same way. It may be scary, but you may have to make the first move.

LEGACY educates teens in healthy ways to cope with stress and emotions. Help kids learn to help themselves.