Tess Connolly LCSW talks with Richard Capriola, Substance use specialist and the author of the book “The Addicted Child” and they discuss substance abuse in adolescence. 

• Richard talks about his background in Education and Mental health and tells us the story of how his book came about and shares with us his passion of sharing it with parents to help them in their struggles when they are faced with dealing with the trauma of their child facing substance abuse.
• Richard shares with us the most concerning things that he has found in his career of working with children that have been through substance abuse. 
• Richard tells us what general warning signs that we can look for as parents.
• Tess and Richard discuss ways that you can reach out to your tweens and teens if you see these changes appear. They offer ways that we can decipher the differences in their behaviors of what could be normal changes in behavior for their age or what could be signs that may be more concerning.
• Richard shares ways that we can talk to our children about substance use depending on their age and educating them with the effects that these substances have on their brains. 
• Richard talks about ways that tweens and teens begin taking drugs including peer pressure and underlying emotional issues that children might have. 
• Tess and Richard talk about the issue of parents offering marijuana to their children thinking it is safe because they have found it helpful themselves. 
• Tess and Richard discuss the steps you can take as parents if you find out that your child is using a substance. 
• Richard tells us that within his book he offers guidance and shares resources that can help parents who are faced with their child using a substance.
• Tess and Richard discuss the importance of parents and families taking care of themselves when they are faced with the crisis of their child who is suffering with substance abuse. 
• Tess and Richard discuss the link between substance use and mental health.
• Richard offers a sense of hope and talks about how he has seen how treatment really does work for those who use it.
• Richard shares with us that he is most grateful for the experiences that he has had working with adolescence and the professionals he worked with in The Menninger Clinic and what a blessing it was to see the kids get back to him and see them leading successful lives. 

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📧Connect with Therese (Tess) Connolly, LCSW, CCC here: [email protected]

Website: www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

 

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