Column: Transitioning Teens — Change is the Only Constant

As in the past, August has been designated "Time to Talk" month by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and their website (see below) features a new online guide to help parents with tough transitions for their teens, including back to school time, when added social and academic pressures make teens more vulnerable to trying drugs and alcohol.

The guide offers advice on recognizing transitions and understanding why and how even typical life changes – starting puberty, moving up a grade, or moving on to college – may feel like a big deal to your tween or teen and how emotionally tough the transition may be.

The top 5 reasons that Teens Use Drugs and Alcohol During Transitions:

• To combat loneliness, low self-esteem, anxiety or depression.
• To mentally "check out" of family issues or school trouble.
• To ease discomfort in an unfamiliar situation.
• To look cool or change their image/reputation.
• To fit in with a desired group of friends.

While parents can't control the changes that impact their teen, we can pay attention to his feelings, concerns and needs. Staying involved in your child's life during tough transitions is the single most important thing we can do to help keep him from experimenting with drugs and alcohol. In fact, only 18 percent of teens whose parents are significantly involved in their life transitions resort to high-risk activities, such as unsafe sex and drug use.

To download the guide, or obtain more parenting tips and suggestions for opening up a dialogue with your teen or tween, check out the website: www.timetotalk.org .

To learn more about what the Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is doing in the community, visit our website: www.cityofmelrose.org/departments/health/substanceabuse.htm or visit our booth at the Victorian Fair on Sunday, Sept. 12.

This information was provided by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and submitted by the Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.