Choices & Consequences: What to Do When a Teenager Uses Alcohol/Drugs

Choices & Consequences: What to Do When a Teenager Uses Alcohol/Drugs

by Dick Schaefer (Hazelden, 1987)

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Summary:

Choices & Consequences:  What to Do When a Teenager Uses Alcohol/Drugs is a practical, easy-to-read guidebook for helping a teenager who is using drugs.  It is directed mainly at parents but adults working with teenagers (in school, church, through the legal system) will also find it helpful. Schaefer takes readers through a step-by-step system of intervention after covering many topics of interest to parents who may be concerned about their child’s alcohol and drug use. Issues include:

• the general process from alcohol/drug use to misuse to abuse to addiction;
• how that process differs for adolescents socially, emotionally, and mentally;
• the life skills adolescents are struggling to develop;
• how to tell if a teenager is using alcohol/drugs;
• and the teenager’s defense system.

Schaefer’s intervention process is logical and fairly simple.  He helps parents to “disengage” from their roles as enablers, create a support system, and take care of themselves.  Schaefer then goes through each step of the confrontation and intervention process (which is tailored to help adults working with teenagers at various level of drug abuse).  He includes how to care for teenagers who require treatment and how to help them continue to recover.

Why does FASTEN recommend this resource?