Special Encore Presentation: Teen and Adolescent Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse with Guest David Sheff
September 8, 2014
Hosted by Mary Woods
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Episode Description
Our guest today will talk about teen and adolescent prescription drug abuse, stimulant abuse, The Medicine Abuse Project, and ways the public can help. The CDC now calls prescription drug abuse an epidemic. More Americans die from drug overdoses than in car crashes, and this trend is being driven by prescription drugs. Teen prescription drug misuse and abuse is up by 33 percent since 2008. The rise is being driven by stimulants (Ritalin and Adderall). Statistics released by The Partnership at Drugfree.org show that: 1) Prescription medicines and marijuana are the most commonly abused drugs among 12 to 13-year-olds; 2) 70 percent of teens say they get the prescription medicines from family members and friends; 3) A factor that contributes to this rise is the lack of communication parents have with their children about prescription drugs; only 14 percent of teens indicated that they had discussed the misuse or abuse of any type of prescription drug with their parents.
One Hour AT A Time
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Recovery, whether it is from substance abuse or a mental illness, or both requires a treatment plan, which in many cases is as effective as treatments for other chronic illnesses. “One Hour AT A Time” will increase awareness about recovery and decrease the discrimination against individuals in the recovery process. Host Mary Woods, will help people understand the recovery of adults and families living with co-occurring substance use disorders and psychotic and/or affective illness over the course of a lifetime. Helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge they need to take personal responsibility for their health and supporting individuals in their efforts to get on with life beyond illness has been Mary’s mission and she now brings that mission to the airwaves.
Mary Woods
Mary is the CEO of WestBridge Community Services. She is also a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with more than 25 years experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Mary has conducted extensive workshops and trainings with a primary focus in Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change Theory and Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders. She is also a contributor to the development of the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment Practitioners and Clinical Supervisors Workbook and Practice Demonstration Video. Mary was the Chairperson of the NH State Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professionals. She has been a member of the NH Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor’s Association since 1984, and has served as the Northeast Regional Vice President for the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, President of NAADAC and is currently past president of NAADAC.
