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

308 Pages·1998·1.19 MB·English

by  Dick Schaefer

Choices & Consequences : What to Do
title: When a Teenager Uses Alcohol/drugs : a
Step-by-step System That Really Works
author: Schaefer, Dick.; Espeland, Pamela
publisher: Hazelden Publishing
isbn10 | asin: 0935908420
print isbn13: 9780935908428
ebook isbn13: 9780585171845
language: English
Teenagers--Alcohol use--United States,
Alcoholism--United States--Prevention,
subject
Teenagers--Drug use--United States, Drug
abuse--United States--Prevention.
publication date: 1987
lcc: HV5135.S33 1987eb
ddc: 362.2/9
Teenagers--Alcohol use--United States,
Alcoholism--United States--Prevention,
subject:
Teenagers--Drug use--United States, Drug
abuse--United States--Prevention.
Page iii
Choices & Consequences
What To Do When A Teenager Uses Alcohol/Drugs
A Step-By-Step System That Really Work
By Dick Schaefer
Edited by Pamela Espeland
JOHNSON INSTITUTE
HAZELDEN
Page iv
Copyright © 1987 by Hazelden Foundation. Published 1987 by the
Johnson Institute. First published by Hazelden 1998. All rights
reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system without express permission in writing from the publisher.
Hazelden Information and Educational Services
Center City, Minnesota 55012-0176
1-800-328-9000 (Toll Free U.S., Canada, and the Virgin Islands)
1-651-213-4000 (Outside the U.S. and Canada)
1-651-213-4590 (24-hour Fax)
www.hazelden.org
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Schaefer, Dick
Choices & consequences.
Bibliography: p.
1. YouthUnited StatesAlcohol use. 2. Alcoholism
United StatesPrevention. 3. YouthUnited States
Drug Use. 4. Drug abuseUnited StatesPrevention.
I. Espeland, Pamela, 1951- . II. Title. III Title:
Choices & consequences.
HV5135.S33 1987 362.2'9 87-22717
ISBN 0-935908-42-0
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
11 10
Page v
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to the outreach workersConnie, Marty,
Willie, Sandi, Shelley, Leigh, Kim, John, Sheila, Kisa, and Lyndewho
are the "cookie people" for many teenagers in trouble with
alcohol/drugs,
and to Bev and Bob and parents everywhere in self-help groups who
give hope to families that miracles are still possible.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First there is Mary, my wife and companion, who stood by me during
the writing of this bookgiving me support, feedback, and constant
encouragement.
Then there are my friends across the countryTom Alibrandi, Ross
Ramsey, John Horsey, Betty Anderson, and Craig Bader who have
shared generously with me over the years their insights in working
with teenagers, many of which have found their way into this book.
Also there are my friends and colleagues in our local network
systemPatrick Curran, Mark Haugen, Jim Thom, Jim Shipp, Jane
Kihl-Kippley, and Mark Stutrudwho while working in the trenches
with teenagers and their parents still found time to share their thoughts
and ideas about the procedures described in this book.
Finally there is Carole Remboldt of the Johnson Institute, who made
this book possible with her invitation to write it, her honest criticisms,
and her never-ending support. And Pamela Espeland, who patiently
worked with us to edit and revise the manuscript. I am deeply
indebted to both of them for sharing their skills and insights.
Page vi
CONTENTS
A Few Words About "Alcohol/Drugs" ix
Preface x
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: "You Sat on the Burner, Baby. . . You Sit on the 5
Blisters" and Other Basic Principles of Intervention
Part I: Learning About Teenage Chemical Dependence
Chapter 2: Why Teenagers Use Alcohol/Drugs 12
Chapter 3: The Addiction Process 16
Chapter 4: The Feeling Disease 23
Chapter 5: How Chemical Dependence in Teenagers Differs27
from Chemical Dependence in Adults
Chapter 6: From Use to Addiction: An Overview of 34
Teenage Involvement with Alcohol/Drugs
Chapter 7: How To Tell if a Teenager Is Using And How 44
Bad It Really Is
Chapter 8: The Tasks of Adolescence 50
Chapter 9: The Adolescent Delusional System 58
Page vii
Part II: Intervening with Teenagers in Trouble with
Alcohol/Drugs
Chapter 10: Disengagement: Preparing for Intervention 71
Chapter 11: The Professional's Role in Disengagement 85
Chapter 12: Confrontation: Doing Intervention 92
Chapter 13: The Professional's Role in Confrontation 120
Chapter 14: Reintegration: Following Up Intervention 128
Part III: Resources
Recommended Readings and Films 140
The Twelve Steps 144
Resources 145
Sample School Checklist 148
Index 149
Page ix
A FEW WORDS ABOUT "ALCOHOL/DRUGS"
You'll notice the term "alcohol/drugs" in the title of this book and in
many places throughout it.
We use it to emphasize that alcohol is a drugjust like cocaine,
marijuana, uppers, downers, or any other mood-altering substance.
Too often people talk about "alcohol or drugs" or "alcohol and drugs"
as if alcohol is somehow different from drugs and in a category by
itself. Our culture, our government, even our laws treat alcohol
differently than they treat so-called "other drugs" like pot, crack,
smack, and so on down the list.
But the symptoms of dependence are essentially the same, and the
need for intervention is just as urgent.
Page x
PREFACE
My work in chemical dependence began in 1966 as a chaplain at the
Heartview Foundation Treatment Center for Alcoholism in Mandan,
North Dakota. It was there that I met Vernon Johnson at his first North
Dakota training session on the process of intervention.
At that time, most people in treatment were adults. During the late
1960s we had only two or three teenagers a year come in for
treatmentand we treated them like adults.
Since 1970, I have worked full time with teenage alcohol/ drug
usersin an inpatient setting at the State Hospital, in an outpatient
program at a mental health center, and with an outreach program in
schools and communities. I have learned that while intervention works
with teenagers, the process must be different from the one used with
adults. At the Touch Love Center in Fargo, we treat teenagers like
teenagers. And we are rewarded again and again with success.
The system described in this book works. We see the proof every day.
And I am confident that you will, too, as you begin the difficult task
of trying to help your teenager.
DICK SCHAEFER
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA
FEBRUARY, 1996