CAGE is a Screening Tool Commonly Used with Teens Who Drink

Many teens struggle with binge drinking and even alcoholism. Drinking is highly encouraged among peers that it's hard for a teen or young adult to say no to alcohol, without looking foolish. Instead, many teens don't even think about saying no. They join in the fun they're friends are having, alcohol and all.


However, over time, some drinking habits may become excessive. In fact, some teens might slowly develop an addiction to alcohol. And if a teen lands in a physician's office or the office of a school principal, counselor, then he or she may get the CAGE questionnaire  - a method used to assess a teen's level of drinking.


CAGE forms an acronym, of which each letter is contained in each of the four questions that make up the assessment. Two positive answers indicate that there may be the possibility of an addiction to alcohol. The questions of the CAGE assessment go like this:

1. Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?
4. Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

As parents , caregivers, or professionals working with teens, this may be a useful tool. And a teen who answers positively to feeling the need to cut down, feeling annoyed when others criticize their drinking, feeling guilty about their behavior, or using alcohol as a way to wake up, may certainly have an issue with alcohol.


In fact, some professionals using the CAGE questionnaire almost immediately recognize a problem with alcohol when a person answers positively to the last question. If a person requires alcohol upon waking in the morning, there most certainly may be a problem.  The need for alcohol first thing in the morning indicates that there is a dependence and that a person may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not drink right away after rising.


The CAGE questionnaire is a widely used screening test for problem drinking and potential problems with alcohol. This screening tool has been validated by many accounts of accuracy and it is considered a valid tool to use to assess for alcoholism in both teens and adults. However, it should be noted that this tool is not valid for assessing for addictions to other substances or to behaviors. Despite this, professionals have modified the CAGE questionnaire to assess for other types of addiction.

If it turns out that a teen does in fact have an addiction to alcohol it's important to get the necessary help. An addiction to alcohol, or any substance, can get worse over time. With the right support - medical detoxification, addiction treatment, medication to treat withdrawal effects, and receiving an education on addiction and recovery - can all contribute to healing and overcoming an addiction. A teen who undergoes addiction treatment can heal from alcoholism and create a life they enjoy. 

How to Spot the Signs of Alcohol or Drug Abuse in Adolescent and Teen Boys

 

Do you suspect that your teen is using drugs or alcohol or using drugs? Have you noticed changes in your teen that are not normal? As a parent it is normal to be concerned when your child is exhibiting changes in behavior or mood. Parents are not always aware of the signs of alcohol or drug abuse in today’s busy world. In addition substance abuse symptoms are different in boys than in girls, so it is easy to miss. For instance girls are more likely to engage in self-harming behaviors when they are using in comparison to boys. By looking for the signs and symptoms of drug or alcohol use in your adolescent or teen son, you can become aware of potential use help your teen get help before the abuse turns into dependence.

Here are some of the risk factors that puts your teen at risk of drug or alcohol abuse. Common risk factors for alcohol and drug abuse among teens include:

·         A history of substance abuse and dependence in close relatives

·         Few positive peer influences

·         A weak support system at home and school

·         A history of sexual or physical abuse

·         A history of depression, anxiety or anger problems

Although there is no easy way to tell if your child is using drugs or alcohol there are some telltale signs. Detecting the signs of drug or alcohol use can be a matter of life or death as drug and alcohol use can lead to suicide or dangerous accidents in teens that consume drugs and alcohol. Some of the behavioral signs of drug or alcohol use that are seen especially in adolescent and teens boys include:

·         Increased aggression

·         Change in relationships with family members or friends

·         Mood changes or excessive anger

·         Impulsive behaviors

·         Obnoxious, loud behavior

·         Withdrawn, sullen, or angry

·         Silent or uncommunicative

·         Decreased Motivation

·         Frequently breaks curfew or disappearances for long periods of time

Even the healthiest brightest teenagers can use drugs and alcohol. Alcohol is widely available at parties, in family homes, and at football games. Teen boys may feel pressured to use drugs or alcohol if other boys on the football team are drinking at a party. It is not safe to assume that just because your adolescent teen boy is successful or popular that he could not develop a problem with alcohol. If you notice any of the above signs in your teenager get help right away. Find a qualified treatment program that specializes in treating alcohol and drug abuse in teen males.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Teens

There are many forms of therapy that are used to treat teen psychological illnesses. One of them is Dialectical Behavior Therapy, otherwise known as DBT. This form of talk therapy is similar to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. However, its structure and focus are slightly different. DBT has become so effective that it’s known among mental health professionals as an evidence-based treatment method for psychological illness for both teens and adults. This means that evidence exists for the effectiveness of this type of therapy in treatment.  

DBT is a behavioral therapy meaning that it focuses on a teen’s behavior to measure his or her progress. Therefore, it provides tools and teaches certain skills that can help to modify a teen’s behavior so that it’s healthy and safe. In fact, this form of therapy is considered to be a treatment method for psychosocial illnesses, including addiction and personality disorders. DBT teaches adolescents the skills they need to move closer to their life goals and assists them in integrating those skills into everyday life. When a psychological illness gets in the way of functioning in school, home, and work, a teen may need tools to manage his or her symptoms. DBT is meant to address those issues by teaching skills to cope with interfering thoughts, feelings and behavioral patterns. Additionally, DBT aims to replace any self-defeating, dysfunctional coping mechanisms, such as relying upon substances in order to feel better. 

In fact, one skill that is the focus of DBT is mindfulness. This tool helps one become more aware of the present moment and all that is happening within and around a person. Mindfulness can assist a teen in becoming more aware of those thoughts that might trigger substance use, self-harming behavior, or aggression. In fact, DBT is a compassionate treatment method that can bring meaning and purpose into a teen’s life. DBT can help a teen with understanding and managing overwhelming emotions, learning more about oneself and thinking patterns, dealing with difficult people in life – including parents, learning more effective ways of coping with stress, and improving relationships. 

DBT consists of both individual therapy as well as group therapy. However, one significant aspect of this treatment method is to participate in a 16-week Skills group, which is the venue for learning the necessary life skills that make DBT so effective. The Skills Group typically meets for 90 minutes once per week, while individual therapy or group therapy can take place once to twice per week, focusing on sharpening skills and integrating them into daily life.

Research indicates that those adolescents who participate in DBT are half as likely to make a suicide attempt and required fewer hospitalizations. They were also less likely to drop out of treatment. DBT has been successful for many years. 

If you are a caregiver or parent of a teen with a psychological illness, consider Dialectical Behavior Therapy as a treatment method for your teen.

Teens Who Drink and Smoke May Be At Risk for Prescription Pill Addiction

Experts in the field of psychology are always looking for connections and relationships. Doing so helps them prevent, treat, and understand psychological illness. One potential connection found was the relationship between drinking, smoking, and abuse of prescription pain medication among teens. This connection was the result of a study administered by Yale University and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health August 21, 2012. 

According to the study, teens who drink or smoke are two to three times more likely to abuse prescription pain medication later in life. Experts from Yale University took the results of the 2006-2008 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which surveyed teens and young adults ranging in age between 18 to 25. By analyzing the data, they found is that 12% of those surveyed reported they currently abuse prescription pain medication. And of that 12%, just above half (57%) abused alcohol as teens, 56% smoked cigarettes, and 34% smoked marijuana. 

Recognizing the problem with teen abuse of prescription pain medication, lead researcher Dr. Lynn Fiellin, associate professor of medicine at Yale, commented, "about 3.5 million young adults abuse prescription opioids, "and this number is growing." It should be noted that just because there is a connection between drinking, smoking, and prescription pain addiction doesn't mean that there is a cause-effect relationship. 

Prescription pain medication contains opioid. Common forms of opioids, in the form of painkillers, include oxycodone, hydrocodone, diphenoxylate, morphine, codeine, and methadone. Opioids can also be found in the illicit drug heroin. In fact, many teens who get hooked on prescription pain pills often resort to heroin because it's more accessible and often less expensive. Because of a need to feed the addiction, many teens develop an addiction to heroin. And because many teens and young adults have developed a problem with opiates (including overdosing and death), there has been epidemic of this type of addiction around the country. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, prescription drug misuse by adolescents is second to marijuana and alcohol misuse. However, When teens get a hold of and use prescription drugs in a way other than how they are prescribed, it is considered abuse. Research indicates that 20% of teens that have abused prescription drugs reported that they did so before the age of 14. Also, 33% of teens believe that using prescription drugs not prescribed to them is okay. Sadly, many teens believe that abusing prescription drugs is safer than abusing illicit drugs such as cocaine. However, the abuse of these drugs, particularly by at-risk youth can easily lead to irreparable consequences.

If you're a teen who is using pain medication without a prescription, you might consider the risks. As already mentioned, misuse of prescription pain medication can lead to an addiction to heroin. Also, many teens and adults around the country have found themselves with an addiction that's more than they can handle. Overdose and even death has happened for many teens since 2011. 

If you're experiencing this type of addiction, calling for help can help turn things around. If you can find the courage inside you, talk to a parent, school counselor, teacher, or adult you trust. Doing so can save your life!

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment

 As you can imagine there are many teens who may experiment with or consciously choose to use substances on a regular basis and they can easily get hooked in the cycle of addiction. Alcohol and drugs can easily lure one into the illness of addiction, especially those drugs that are more addictive, such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Yet, once a teen is hooked, often addiction treatment is necessary. 

The field of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment has been developing for many years. However, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that the field started to attract attention. During that time, substances were being used by younger and younger children, and as a result, there were significant mental and physical problems. Children and teens were experiencing injuries, behavioral disorders, psychological illness, and sexually transmitted diseases. Also, experts began to clearly recognize that teens are different from adults when it comes to addiction. For instance, the brains of teens have not fully developed and therefore substances will affect them differently. Furthermore, because addiction appears differently in teens, the treatment for substance abuse for adolescents must also be different. Yet, services for teens were not as readily available. The field of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment began to grow when mental health professionals began to provide these services where they are needed. 

Types of services that are available for Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment include Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. These three treatment modalities are described below:

Behavioral Therapy – The main principle of this therapy is that behavior can be learned, and so it can also be unlearned. For instance, if a teen has learned that using drugs is a way to cope with stress or improve one’s mood, then that type of behavior can be unlearned and a therapist can give a teen another method of coping with stress. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – This form of treatment helps a teen make connections between the way they are thinking, feeling, and behaving. Frequently, there are automatic and recurring thoughts that can drive a teen to want to use drugs. This form of therapy invites an exploration of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors before, during, and after substance use. This can allow for the replacement of harmful thoughts with healthier ones that might prevent a teen from using drugs in the first place. 

Motivational Interviewing – This type of treatment is meant to enhance a teen’s intrinsic motivation to change, specifically to stop using drugs or alcohol. Of course, there are frequently extrinsic motivators for change, such as the demand of a teen’s parents, retribution from teachers, etc. However, this form of therapy helps a teen find within themselves the desire to quit using drugs or alcohol. One thing to point out about this form of therapy is that it doesn’t force a teen to use drugs. Instead, it uses a nonjudgmental approach that facilitates a teen’s authentic desire to quit. 

These are some treatment methods that are frequently used in the field of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment. If your teen is in need of treatment for substance use, contact a mental health professional today.