Alcohol Parent's Guide

Transcript

Juvenile-HD HOME INDEX Page Tools For Viewing 10 The Most Commonly Asked Questions Clinical Trials & Research Huntington's Disease~WeMove Info Advocacy/Donations/Press Info Clinical Definition & Search Facing HD~Family Handbook JHD Handbook-Chapter 1 JHD Info-Stanford Univ. Physician's Guide To HD Caring for People with HD Physical & Occupational Therapy In HD Understanding Behaviour in HD-Dr. Jane Paulsen Understanding Behavioral-Dr. Edmond Chiu Advanced Stages Caregivers Handbook First Shift-Certified Nursing Assistants Activities of Daily Living-HD Unified HD Rating Scale (UHDRS) Motor Section Westphal Variant SECTION 1 - AT RISK Age & Probability Chart At Risk For HD-What Next? At-Risk Checklist Best Interest of Child? Crystal Ball? Food For Thought Parent Hasn't Tested? Q&A On Risk of Inheriting JHD Testing Children SECTION 2 - GENETIC TESTING Genetic Disorders & Birth Defects Genetic Testing for HD Genetic Counseling-In General Psychological Impact Intro: Genetics/Genetic Testing Prenatal & Preimplanation Prenatal Testing-In General o Genetic Testing Resources o Personal Stories SECTION 3 - JHD Coping With The Early Years Age of HD Appearance Age of Onset-Historical Family-HD Underestimated Children of Parents With HD Child~Parent Ill Clinical Description JHD HD - What Kids Are Saying HD & Me JHD-Duration of Illness JHD-Clinical and Research JHD Symptoms Parenting With HD Patients/Families Coping Talking With Children About HD Alcohol-Parent's Guide INDEX Page www.KidsHealth.org "Not my kid. He'd never drink." If that's what you're thinking, you might be in for a surprise. Children see drinking around them all the time, and it's not unusual for them to experiment with alcohol themselves. The question is, what can parents do about it? "It's very commonplace for kids to have a drink," says Mandell Much, PhD. "Experimental use is very popular, especially with adolescents." Although experimentation with alcohol may be common among kids, it's not safe or legal. Read on to find out how to tell if your child is drinking and what you can do about it. Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix Alcohol interferes with our perception of reality and our ability to make good decisions. This is problematic for adults, and even worse for adolescents and children who have less problem-solving and decision-making experience. According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, the short-term effects of drinking include: distorted vision, hearing, and coordination altered perceptions and emotions impaired judgment bad breath hangovers The long-term effects include: cirrhosis and cancer of the liver loss of appetite serious vitamin deficiencies stomach ailments heart and central nervous system damage memory loss an increased risk of impotence The possibility of overdosing on alcohol is significant, says Paco Cummings, MHS, CCDC, CCS, an addictions specialist. Alcohol first sedates the mind, he explains, and then attacks the vital functions. Even withdrawing from alcohol use can be deadly. "The actual withdrawal from alcohol is more dangerous than the withdrawal from heroin," Cummings says. The short-term effects of alcohol abuse can also lead to homicides, suicides, and serious injuries. Over 38% of drownings, for example, are alcohol-related. Drinking also lowers inhibitions, which can lead teens to practice risky behaviors. Some risky behaviors, such as practicing unsafe sex, increase the chance of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Other risky behaviors practiced while drinking, such as drunk driving or drug use, put teens at risk for immediate and possibly deadly consequences. Recognizing the Signs Despite your efforts, your child may still use - and abuse - alcohol. How can you tell? The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) offers these warning signs: the odor of alcohol sudden change in mood or attitude change in attendance or performance at school loss of interest in school, sports, or other activities discipline problems at school withdrawal from family and friends secrecy association with a new group of friends and reluctance to introduce them to you Girl drinking Any of the above signs could indicate a problem with alcohol. Obviously, being caught possessing alcohol or being under the influence of alcohol is a "glaring red flags," Dr. Much says. Further, alcohol disappearing from your home may indicate that your child is involved with drinking. Some warning signs may indicate problems other than drinking, such as depression, developmental difficulties, eating disorders, or adolescent adjustment problems. It is important not to jump to conclusions based on only one or two signs. Girl drinking 5 Stages of HD JHD Resources SECTION 4 - SYMPTOM RECOGNITION Parent Resources 8 Fears of A Chronic Illness Anxiety/Apathy/Irritability~HD Anxiety, Fears & Phobias Apathy-Physician's Guide Ataxia Attention-Perceptual/Unawareness Physician's Guide Bed/Pressure Sores Bed/Pressure Ulcer Guideline Behavior Management Bi-Polar Disorders Botulinum toxin therapy Bradykinesia Caring Tips Child Abuse-Reconizing Signs Chorea-Physician's Guide Chorea Cognitive/Decision Making/Impulsivity Cognitive-Short Tips Contractures~Joints Locking Dehydration-Physician's Guide Dehydration Delirium Denial of HD Depression~Physician's Guide Depression-Understanding It Depression-How To Help Depression - Treatment Resistant Patient Depression-Other Resources -Read If Your Child Is On Antidepressant Disgust - Impaired Recognition in HD Dissociative disorders Driving - Physician's Guide Dyslexia Dyslexia Resources Dystonia Dystonia/Rigidity & Spasticity Physician's Guide Dystonia-Predominant Adult-Onset HD Epileptic Seizures and Epilepsy Epilepsy-Seizures~PG -Seizures ~Special Populations Falling~Safety Falling - Subdural Hematoma Risk Fevers - Unexplained Fevers, sweating & menstural cycles in HD GERD (Stomach) HD Principle Treatments Hallucinations/Psychosis~PGHD Hand muscle reflexes in HD Hypothalamus - A Personal Theory Insomia ~Physician's Guide Irritability~Temper Outburst Physician's Guide Learning Disability Mania/OCD~Physician's Guide Mood Disorder Rate In HD Myoclonus (Movements) Nails-What To Look For not to jump to conclusions based on only one or two signs. Adolescence is a time of change - physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. This can lead to erratic behavior and mood changes as children try to cope with the changes of adolescence. "The rule of thumb," Cummings says, "is whether there's a 'cluster of behavior' - changes in friends, behavior, dress, attitude, mood, sleep patterns, grades, interests, and so on. If you see a number of changes, certainly look for all explanations by talking to and questioning your kids, but don't overlook substance abuse as a possibility." What if I Think My Child Is Drinking? According to Dr. Much, by the time your child is 12 years old, he should be aware of issues such as why people drink, the risks of alcohol use (especially for children and teens), and how to handle situations where his friends or classmates may pressure him to drink. It's essential that parents begin communicating with children about alcohol at an early age and continue this dialogue throughout adolescence. "Even if alcohol use is not part of your family's life," Dr. Much says, "somewhere in your child's circle he is going to have the opportunity to drink. You should work with him to provide strategies on how to avoid these situations or extricate himself from them once he's already in them." For children between the ages of 4 and 7, Cummings recommends calmly explaining the reasons why it's dangerous to drink. "Be well-versed in the kinds of pressure that kids are faced with today so that you can counter that with real information." For children between the ages of 8 and 11, continue to explain the risks of alcohol use, but also tie your discussions to real events discussed in newspaper articles or television shows. "If you see a story about someone suffering the consequences of drinking, use that as an opportunity to talk about the dangers," Cummings suggests. For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, Cummings advocates a zero tolerance approach. In fact, parents may want to stop drinking until the kids are grown and out of the house. Children need positive role models more than ever in this tumultuous period of development. Dr. Much adds that no matter how old your child, if you suspect that he's drinking, it's time to sit down and talk. "Try to get some honest information from your child," he says. "Was it just one incident or is it frequent?" This may lead to a frank discussion between you and your child where you have the opportunity to set ground rules concerning alcohol use in your family. If you're not comfortable discussing the subject, there are a number of resources available that can help get you started. You may also want to consult an addictions counselor, Dr. Much says, even if only for advice or guidance. Tips for Parents Some parents may have a tendency to think that once their children reach adolescence, parenting is no longer needed. "Not true," Dr. Much asserts. "The world is more complex today. There are more challenges, more vulnerabilities, and more predatory behaviors toward children." Much emphasizes the importance of conveying to your children that you are there to support and protect them through adolescence into adulthood. Here are some other tips you may want to try: Keep tabs on where your child goes. Talk to the parents of your child's friends. Always make sure you have a phone number where you can reach your child. Have your child check in regularly when he's away from home. Don't allow your child to spend an extended length of time away from you without a phone call or stopping at home. For teens, especially those old enough to drive, David Ebaugh, MA, CPC, CCDC, a substance abuse counselor, suggests negotiating and signing a behavioral contract with your child. This contract should spell out expected behaviors and state the consequences if your teen drives under the influence. "Follow through and take the keys away, if necessary," Ebaugh says. "Negotiating a behavioral agreement is one of the best options parents have to counteract negative peer pressure." Ebaugh recommends always being a good role model. Make a deal with your teen that says that you and the rest of your family also agree never to drink and drive. You should also encourage responsible behaviors, Ebaugh says, such as planning for a designated driver, or calling an adult for help rather than driving under the influence. Even if your child isn't driving yet, Cummings also advocates the use of behavioral contracts. Keep the dialogue open and keep the expectations reasonable. Tying responsible actions to freedoms such as a later curfew or a driver's license acts as a powerful motivator. Teach your child that freedom only comes with responsibility - a lesson that should last a lifetime. Nails-What To Look For Night Terrors Obsessive Compulsive OCD Panic Disorder Personality disorders Pneumonia Pneumonia-Advanced Stages Pneumonia - Aspirated (Inhaled) Prosody - Social Impairment Sexuality~Physician's Guide Skins Sensitivity Sleep Disorders Smoking-Physician's Guide Spasticity Stress Tremors Why Certain Symptoms Occur Symptom & Treatment Resources SECTION 5 - COMMUNICATION Communication Resources Communication Problems Communication Strategies For HD~Jeff Searle SECTION 6 EATING/SWALLOWING/NUITRITION Hints For Weight Loss in HD HD & Diet~HSA Fact Sheet 7 Nutrients: Some Possible Deficiency Symptoms Nutrition and HD~Anna Gaba (Recipes) Nutrition Information In HD~Naomi Lundeen Speech & Swallowing~Lynn Rhodes Swallowing & Nutrition Physician's Guide To HD Swallowing & Nuitrition Resources Swallowing Warning Signs 5 Swallowing Problems Taste changes in HD Weight Gain Resources-Drinks/Shakes -Feeding Tubes~Advanced Stages of HD -Feeding Tube~Jean Miller -Feeding Tubes: One More Word ~Jean Miller -Feeding Tubes & Baby Foods -Feeding Tube~Dental Care -Feeding Tube Instructions~Jean Miller -Feeding Tube Resources SECTION 7 - THERAPIES Finding a Therapist - Behavoir What Is A Physiotherapist? Physical Therapy In HD Speech-Language Therapy Therapy Descriptions Therapy Resources- Easter Seal Therapy Resources SECTION 8 - MEDICATIONS HD Treatments Medications-Movement Disorders Medication/Emergency Info Forms Cutting Prescriptions Drugs-Look 'Em Up -Adolescents Under 25 -Antidepressant Adverse Effects Updated and reviewed by: Kim Rutherford, MD Date reviewed: September 2001 Originally reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD, and Mandell Much, PhD Source: KidsHealth www.KidsHealth.com is a project of The Nemours Foundation which is dedicated to improving the health and spirit of children. Today, as part of its continuing mission, the Foundation supports the operation of a number of renowned children's health facilities throughout the nation, including the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Nemours Children's Clinics throughout Florida. Visit The Nemours Foundation to find out more about them and its health facilities for children http://www.nemours.org/no/ ==================================================== The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders. URL: http://www.nami.org/illness/ Dual Diagnosis in Adolescence - Reference guide to adolescents with both l mental illness and substance abuse. -Anti-psychotic -Anxiety-Antidepressant A-Z Mental Health Drugs -Creatine -EPA~Fish Oil -Haldol/Haloperidol - Clinical Sheet -Haldol~Clinician Description -Haldol & HD -Haldol/HD Patient Experiences -Haldol~ Patient Handout -Mood Stabilizers: ASK 3 Questions -Neuroleptic Malignant Synd WARNING -Olanzipine-Risperidone/blood tests -Celexa/Luvox/Paxil/Prozac/Zoloft -Psychiatric Drugs & Children Sertraline ~Zoloft -Spasticity Meds/Treatments -SSRI Medications -Tardive Dyskinesia WARNING -Weight Gain Medications -Sites/Help the Medicine Go Down -Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies SECTION 9 - SURGERIES Surgery-Movement Disorders o Surgery Resources SECTION 10 - PROCEDURES Clinic Visits-How To Prepare CT Scans, MRI's etc. Swallowing Tests Tests Commonly Used o Procedures Resources SECTION 11- ALCOHOL/DRUGS Alcohol-Parent's Guide Alcohol-Talking To Your Child Drugs-What To Do? Drugs-Talking To Your Child Disciplining-Ages 0-13 & Up SECTION 12- SUICIDE Straight Talk On Suicide Teen Suicide-You Need To Know o Suicide Resources SECTION 13 - DIVORCE Divorce & Child Stress Tips For Divorcing Parents SECTION 14 - DISABILITY ISSUES Guides To Disability Issues Caring-Child & Medical Technology Caring for a Seriously Ill Child Child Long Term Illness Disability-Special Education Plan IFSP Early Intervention Process Disability Resources Financial Planning Wishes Can Come True-Children's Wish Foundations Special Needs Resources Special Needs Camp - About Special Needs Camp - Finding One SECTION 15 - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Child Assistive Technology Adaptive Equipment Resources Products SECTION 16 - EMOTIONAL ISSUES Signs of Unhealthy Self-Esteem Emotional Behavior Links o Emotional Support Resources SECTION 17 - GRIEF Helping Child Deal With Death o Grief Addtional Resources SECTION 18 - ADD/ADHD ADD & Teens Conduct Disorders FAQS & Related Info Understanding AD/HD What Is AD/HD? 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