Close the Chapter Podcast with Kristen Boice

282. How to Talk to Your Teens about their Relationship with Substance with Richard Capriola

·51 min·5 clips

Alcohol use among high school seniors rebounded to 52% post-pandemic, the biggest rebound of any substance.

Kristen Boice introduces the episode as an encore from 2023, focusing on how to talk to teens about substance use. She encourages listeners to reflect on their own relationships with substances before engaging with their children. Guest Richard Capriola, author of 'The Addicted Child', presents new research on adolescent substance use trends post-pandemic. He explains that during the pandemic, substance use declined significantly due to reduced social interactions, but has since rebounded, with alcohol returning to pre-pandemic levels of 52% among high school seniors. Capriola highlights that marijuana use dropped dramatically during the pandemic but has slightly increased. He discusses the importance of comprehensive assessments for teens using substances, as many may have undiagnosed mental health issues like anxiety driving their use. The conversation shifts to drug availability and perception, with Capriola noting that 80% of teens find substances readily available and don't view them as harmful. He proposes a neuroscience-based educational approach, teaching kids about brain development from elementary school to foster protection. Capriola addresses common parental rationalizations, such as allowing drinking at home or comparing past substance use, warning that today's drugs are more potent. He provides steps for parents suspecting substance use, including assessments and school counselor consultations. The episode concludes with resources like Capriola's book and support groups for parents.

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