"BILY Too - The Youth Group's" - Links to Recovery (Click)

Teens, Marijuana, and Depression

Millions of teens report feeling hopeless and losing interest in everyday activities for weeks at a time. And many of these teens are making a bad situation worse by using marijuana and other drugs in an effort to make themselves feel better.

Research shows that using marijuana can worsen depression and lead to more serious mental health problems. In fact, teens who used marijuana at least once a month in the past year are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than teens who don't use marijuana.

For parents, this means it's critical to pay closer attention to your teen's behavior and mood swings, and recognize that marijuana and other drugs could be playing a dangerous role in your child's life.

Marijuana: Then and Now
So you tried pot at some point in your life and think you'll feel like a hypocrite telling your teen not to use?  Get over it.  Be honest and emphasize that this discussion is about your child's future and not about your past.  Marijuana today is more potent than it was a generation ago and more kids are using it at a younger age, when their bodies and minds are still developing.  Talk to your teens. Kids who learn about marijuana and other drugs from their parents are less likely to use them. Tell your teens how to say no, even if you didn't.

Talking to Your Teen About Marijuana
Picture this: you're driving your child home one afternoon and he or she turns to you and asks, "Mom, did you ever use marijuana when you were a kid?" Or, you're helping your child with homework and he or she asks, "Dad, did you smoke pot when you were in high school?"

This is a question many parents hope to avoid. Unless the answer is an unequivocal "no," it may be difficult to know what to say.

How honest should you be? Phillippe Cunningham, a family therapist at the Medical University of South Carolina, recommends an honest answer when a child asks about your past. Otherwise, you risk losing credibility with your kids. "This doesn't mean you should recount every detail of your high school or college years," says Dr. Cunningham. "But use it as an opportunity to talk with your child. Kids can learn a lot from their parents' experiences."

What if your child thinks that since you admitted to using marijuana and you've grown up just fine it is okay for her to use marijuana, too? The fact is, we all want what's best for our children. Today's marijuana is not the “ditchweed” of the 1960s. Marijuana is more potent than it was a generation ago and more kids are using it at a younger age, when their bodies and minds are developing. We also know much more about the real risks of marijuana use, thanks to new research. Parents can also draw on real-life examples of friends who had trouble as a result of marijuana use, such as a friend who used marijuana for years and lost interest in school, a fellow student who failed to get a scholarship, or the neighbor who caused a car crash while high.

What if you are afraid of sounding like a hypocrite? "Do as I say, not as I do" has never been a good method of parenting. Parents can emphasize that this discussion is about your child's future, and not about your past. Even if you made mistakes in the past, be clear you do not want your child to repeat them.

Most importantly, remember that when your child asks you about your past, he or she has just opened the door for an ongoing dialogue about drugs. Use this opportunity to talk to them about making good choices. Studies show that parents are the single most powerful influence on their children's decisions about drug use. Research affirms that parents who are involved and talk to their kids about drugs are more likely to keep their kids away from drugs.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Youth Program Director

David is the Youth Program Director for "BILY Too - The Youth Group". Additionally, he is the current Vice President of Because I Love You Board of Directors.  David's been with the group since the late 1980's.  David grew up as a teen who attended the BILY Too Youth Group not because he wanted to, but because he hated what had begun happening with his parents (they had begun applying the BILY 10 Steps at home). David was rebellious, misunderstood and felt alone as most teenagers today feel.  Although his initial goal of attending the weekly group was to help the other teens rebel against their parents, he soon learned more about himself and ultimately survived the group and came back to share with those in similar situations as he was.  

David facilitates weekly groups at the Granada Hills location.  David's long term goal for Because I Love You is to expand the youth group to a national level, reaching out to teens everywhere, as the Because I Love You Parent Support Group has done for parents. 

David conducts quarterly training seminars for selected youth from the groups in an effort to create a greater ownership of the BILY process, as well as to teach them about becoming peer counselors.

Outside of "BILY Too - The Youth Group" David has been working professionally in a variety of healthcare settings for almost 20 years, providing substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, mentoring and teaching others about group facilitation.  Additionally, David hopes to soon achieve a Master's degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Human Development.

David is thankful for the opportunity to work with Because I Love You, The Parent Support Group and "BILY Too - The Youth Group".   BecauseILoveDave@aol.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is B.I.L.Y. | California Meetings | State by State Meetings | Reference Library
Bulletin Board | Links & Resources | Corporate Sponsors | Contact Info | Testimonials

ERT Website Solutions