What is addiction prevention?
The team at EXIS Youth provides addiction prevention presentations at schools throughout Los Angeles to educate young people about the mental and physical risks associated with substance abuse. The team also offers parenting and community groups to those who want to help their children thrive.
Studies show that the earlier a person begins to use drugs or alcohol, the higher their chances of having long-term addiction and mental health problems that interfere with their quality of life.
Preventing drug and alcohol abuse before it starts significantly reduces those risks. Education is critical to helping your child understand the dangers of substance abuse and develop strategies to cope with peer pressure and other influencing factors.
What topics are covered in the addiction prevention program?
The team at EXIS Youth has many years of experience working with adolescents with addiction. They use their knowledge to cover a variety of topics to help parents, teachers, and teenagers avoid substance abuse and addiction.
Some of the issues they cover during their addiction prevention presentations include:
Experimentation
Teenagers don’t try alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs to become addicted. Experimentation is common during adolescence as teenagers figure out who they are, including their beliefs, likes, and dislikes. However, drugs, even alcohol and marijuana, which are legal for people aged 21 and older in California, aren’t permitted for young people.
Peer pressure
Between social media, increased pressure to succeed academically and socially, and the desire to “fit in,” teenagers are under a lot of pressure from their peers. Whether they want to look mature in front of their friends or want to remain competitive, drug and alcohol misuse is a long-time target of peer pressure.
Developing brains
The EXIS Youth team also provides information about how an adolescent brain develops. Drug and alcohol abuse can interfere with the development of the parts of the brain that control cognitive function, decision making, judgment, and impulse control. Early drug and alcohol use can also interfere with mood-regulating neurotransmitter activity, which increases a teen’s risk of depression and anxiety disorders.
What should I do if I think my child is struggling with addiction?
If you’re concerned about your child and addiction, ask for help. Call EXIS Youth to schedule an an appointment today.
