Just how prevalent is this oxy addiction thing among our young adults in top privates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am hearing of an uptick in this sort of thing. I think the best thing one can do is to actually be present in their kids lives. We live ina society where both parents are just too busy. I think it is better if one parent stays home when the kids are teens. This is the most crucial time. Working when the kids are little is fine if you have good help. They need you so much more as teens. If someone cannot be home then drive them to school and know all their friends and keep tabs on what they are doing. Be interested in their lives.

This. Most parents certainly think they know their children, but they really don't have a clue.

I think one parent at home is worth EVERY bit of the financial sacrifice. Children require care that is stable, competent and loving. Very few nannies or daycare workers will love your child the way you do.

Think about it.

Why can't one work part time, while the kids are in school?

I'm not sure the nanny/daycare thing really applies to teenagers ...

[Anonymous]

There are two people on this thread and granted I have not read over every single post but they are really grating on my last never with their blatant ignorance.

One is the person who is continusiouly like ahound dog pressing for names of schools. Are you thickheaded? EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL has this problem. Why does a name matter so much when everyone who. knows will tell you it is present and alive in every single school.

The other jerk who keeps saying "its a choice". Please leave this thread, your venom and toxicity is not welcome.

My son had a skiing accident almost 4 years ago (young adult) got prescribed oxy. You are talking a vibrant,health nut, college student, part time ski instructor (winter break) and an all around terrific guy well liked be everyone, full of life.

And YES JUST LIKE THAT he was hooked almost right away. Even after being on it for one week, he said the pull was like nothing he ever felt. As with so many he between still having pain and liking the feeling was prescribed more.

WAS IT A CHOICE TO WANT TO RELIEVE HIS PAIN? HELL YES IT WAS.

DID HE MAKE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO BECOME ADDICTED TO ANYTHING? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

There is a genetic component which few have mentioned and sure enough on my side there were two addicts (alcoholism) 2 generations back. It is a big factor (not always) in those prone to addiction.

It has been a slippery slope for a few years. He is finally in a good place, 2 years sober thanks to amazing outpatient treatment, a great support system, getting back to exercise and a wonderful therapist. It is not an easy road but when someone wants sobriety that bad, they will find it and achieve it.

Sorry to anyone going through this, it is an epidermic hitting our country very hard, EVERY corner, no socioeconomic group is spared.

[Anonymous]

A takeaway here is parents must take teen pain very seriously.

Opiates after a severe bone break are not inappropriate. But the parent has to control very carefully and take proactive measures to manage any lingering pain. This needs to be discussed with the doctor--no harm on impressing on them the dangers of teen pain because most simply don't get that if they won't it is all too easy for the teen to find things he can self-medicate with.

If your teen complains of pain without obvious cause treat this as a medical emergency. Go see a doctor. If he is dismissive or hints it's all psychological so doing anything will just feed the psychological illness, go to doctor after doctor until you find one that will take it seriously and address it urgently through non-opiate means. At a minimum, this will show your teen you are on their side and you at least are taking it seriously. This helps prevents the despair that causes teens in this situation to turn to drugs.

And all of the above also applies to mental pain as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am hearing of an uptick in this sort of thing. I think the best thing one can do is to actually be present in their kids lives. We live ina society where both parents are just too busy. I think it is better if one parent stays home when the kids are teens. This is the most crucial time. Working when the kids are little is fine if you have good help. They need you so much more as teens. If someone cannot be home then drive them to school and know all their friends and keep tabs on what they are doing. Be interested in their lives.

This. Most parents certainly think they know their children, but they really don't have a clue.

I think one parent at home is worth EVERY bit of the financial sacrifice. Children require care that is stable, competent and loving. Very few nannies or daycare workers will love your child the way you do.

Think about it.

Why can't one work part time, while the kids are in school?

I'm not sure the nanny/daycare thing really applies to teenagers ...

My teens leave the house at 7am and come home at 7pm and you want me to work part-time?

Maybe it's the teachers/coaches/music teacher they are with that are not stable, competent and loving... maybe I should homeschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A takeaway here is parents must take teen pain very seriously.

Opiates after a severe bone break are not inappropriate. But the parent has to control very carefully and take proactive measures to manage any lingering pain. This needs to be discussed with the doctor--no harm on impressing on them the dangers of teen pain because most simply don't get that if they won't it is all too easy for the teen to find things he can self-medicate with.

If your teen complains of pain without obvious cause treat this as a medical emergency. Go see a doctor. If he is dismissive or hints it's all psychological so doing anything will just feed the psychological illness, go to doctor after doctor until you find one that will take it seriously and address it urgently through non-opiate means. At a minimum, this will show your teen you are on their side and you at least are taking it seriously. This helps prevents the despair that causes teens in this situation to turn to drugs.

And all of the above also applies to mental pain as well.

+++++ 10000

We do not accept opiates for a bone break, wisdom teeth, etc.

We throw away all opiates in the house. We don't leave drugs around the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A takeaway here is parents must take teen pain very seriously.

Opiates after a severe bone break are not inappropriate. But the parent has to control very carefully and take proactive measures to manage any lingering pain. This needs to be discussed with the doctor--no harm on impressing on them the dangers of teen pain because most simply don't get that if they won't it is all too easy for the teen to find things he can self-medicate with.

If your teen complains of pain without obvious cause treat this as a medical emergency. Go see a doctor. If he is dismissive or hints it's all psychological so doing anything will just feed the psychological illness, go to doctor after doctor until you find one that will take it seriously and address it urgently through non-opiate means. At a minimum, this will show your teen you are on their side and you at least are taking it seriously. This helps prevents the despair that causes teens in this situation to turn to drugs.

And all of the above also applies to mental pain as well.

+++++ 10000

We do not accept opiates for a bone break, wisdom teeth, etc.

We throw away all opiates in the house. We don't leave drugs around the house.

If only all parents were as wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are two people on this thread and granted I have not read over every single post but they are really grating on my last never with their blatant ignorance.

One is the person who is continusiouly like ahound dog pressing for names of schools. Are you thickheaded? EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL has this problem. Why does a name matter so much when everyone who. knows will tell you it is present and alive in every single school.

The other jerk who keeps saying "its a choice". Please leave this thread, your venom and toxicity is not welcome.

My son had a skiing accident almost 4 years ago (young adult) got prescribed oxy. You are talking a vibrant,health nut, college student, part time ski instructor (winter break) and an all around terrific guy well liked be everyone, full of life.

And YES JUST LIKE THAT he was hooked almost right away. Even after being on it for one week, he said the pull was like nothing he ever felt. As with so many he between still having pain and liking the feeling was prescribed more.

WAS IT A CHOICE TO WANT TO RELIEVE HIS PAIN? HELL YES IT WAS.

DID HE MAKE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO BECOME ADDICTED TO ANYTHING? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

There is a genetic component which few have mentioned and sure enough on my side there were two addicts (alcoholism) 2 generations back. It is a big factor (not always) in those prone to addiction.

It has been a slippery slope for a few years. He is finally in a good place, 2 years sober thanks to amazing outpatient treatment, a great support system, getting back to exercise and a wonderful therapist. It is not an easy road but when someone wants sobriety that bad, they will find it and achieve it.

Sorry to anyone going through this, it is an epidermic hitting our country very hard, EVERY corner, no socioeconomic group is spared.

Glad he's doing better. I absolutely think there is a biological component. I am no angel (I like my wine and cocktails) but opiates do nothing for me. I've been prescribed them for pain and cough suppression and I hated the feeling. Other people clearly have very different reactions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A takeaway here is parents must take teen pain very seriously.

Opiates after a severe bone break are not inappropriate. But the parent has to control very carefully and take proactive measures to manage any lingering pain. This needs to be discussed with the doctor--no harm on impressing on them the dangers of teen pain because most simply don't get that if they won't it is all too easy for the teen to find things he can self-medicate with.

If your teen complains of pain without obvious cause treat this as a medical emergency. Go see a doctor. If he is dismissive or hints it's all psychological so doing anything will just feed the psychological illness, go to doctor after doctor until you find one that will take it seriously and address it urgently through non-opiate means. At a minimum, this will show your teen you are on their side and you at least are taking it seriously. This helps prevents the despair that causes teens in this situation to turn to drugs.

And all of the above also applies to mental pain as well.

As far as I know, there is almost nothing out there in terms of popular articles or even more academic works that warns parents about the dangers of teen pain and how it can lead to addiction. Heck, doctors don't seem to know how dangerous it is. For that reason, it is a very hard lesson parents learn after the fact.

Interestingly, there is way more public awareness of mental health problems and addiction potential. We need at least as much awareness for physical pain, especially among those we naturally turn to in these situations, the doctors.

+++++ 10000

We do not accept opiates for a bone break, wisdom teeth, etc.

We throw away all opiates in the house. We don't leave drugs around the house.

If only all parents were as wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A takeaway here is parents must take teen pain very seriously.

Opiates after a severe bone break are not inappropriate. But the parent has to control very carefully and take proactive measures to manage any lingering pain. This needs to be discussed with the doctor--no harm on impressing on them the dangers of teen pain because most simply don't get that if they won't it is all too easy for the teen to find things he can self-medicate with.

If your teen complains of pain without obvious cause treat this as a medical emergency. Go see a doctor. If he is dismissive or hints it's all psychological so doing anything will just feed the psychological illness, go to doctor after doctor until you find one that will take it seriously and address it urgently through non-opiate means. At a minimum, this will show your teen you are on their side and you at least are taking it seriously. This helps prevents the despair that causes teens in this situation to turn to drugs.

And all of the above also applies to mental pain as well.

+++++ 10000

We do not accept opiates for a bone break, wisdom teeth, etc.

We throw away all opiates in the house. We don't leave drugs around the house.

If only all parents were as wise.

As far as I know, there is almost nothing out there in terms of popular articles or even more academic works that warns parents about the dangers of teen pain and how it can lead to addiction. Heck, doctors don't seem to know how dangerous it is. For that reason, it is a very hard lesson parents learn after the fact.

Interestingly, there is way more public awareness of mental health problems and addiction potential. We need at least as much awareness for physical pain, especially among those we naturally turn to in these situations, the doctors.

(Messed up earlier post)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A takeaway here is parents must take teen pain very seriously.

Opiates after a severe bone break are not inappropriate. But the parent has to control very carefully and take proactive measures to manage any lingering pain. This needs to be discussed with the doctor--no harm on impressing on them the dangers of teen pain because most simply don't get that if they won't it is all too easy for the teen to find things he can self-medicate with.

If your teen complains of pain without obvious cause treat this as a medical emergency. Go see a doctor. If he is dismissive or hints it's all psychological so doing anything will just feed the psychological illness, go to doctor after doctor until you find one that will take it seriously and address it urgently through non-opiate means. At a minimum, this will show your teen you are on their side and you at least are taking it seriously. This helps prevents the despair that causes teens in this situation to turn to drugs.

And all of the above also applies to mental pain as well.

+++++ 10000

We do not accept opiates for a bone break, wisdom teeth, etc.

We throw away all opiates in the house. We don't leave drugs around the house.

I totally agree with this and have another level to consider. My kids are younger (elementary/ middle school age) and I think how we deal with their pain now begins to set the tone.

Fortunately, neither of my kids has ever had a serious injury, like a bone break, but we've had plenty of bad sprains, dental work, cuts requiring stiches, etc. Our goal is always to get them off of any kind of pain med as soon as possible and have them live with a bit of pain. I don't mind saying "I know, it does hurt - let's put some ice on it and see how that helps" as a first strategy.

I don't think the mindset that every single measure of pain - headaches, etc. - needs to be managed with a drug is a healthy one. Some things you just have to tough out.

[Anonymous]

To the poster above who shared the story about her or his child, thank you so much. You are a strong parent and a caring individual.

I also feel that I have to apologize to you for heating on your nerves. I am the poster asking people to please name every private school where this is an issue. Why? Because every private school parent I have ever spoken to about hard drugs appears to think they are not an issue at their schools. We can continue to bury our heads in the sand of denial, or we can admit oh snap it apparently is an issue at FILL IN THE BLANK and start working on the problem.

But we unfortunately need to name the schools in order to start the process of admitting to ourselves that there is an issue with hard drugs and confronting the issue with parent pressure on the schools and cold hard strategies with the students. One brave poster mentioned Sidwell, but they are not alone, and we need to name the other Schools as well.

Three years ago I took every opioid and other prescription medication in the house, disolved them in boiling water (with the vent on), and poured the pot onto a gravel surface that borders my driveway. Robitussen or any medication with DXM was emptied down the drain, and is purchased strictly on an as-needed basis, and kept only in my bathroom medicine cabinet. Since I am the parent, I periodically search my children's schoolbags or bedrooms while they are out of the house. If I find anything questionable like a lighter or cigarettes, it goes in the trash. Sometimes I bring it up with them (hey, I found cigarettes or cough suppressants ), and other times I don't bother (lighter). I have discussed repeatedly, at length, and many times with all of my children my zero-tolerance drug policy. No marijuana, and certainly nothing else.

[Anonymous]

I'm a mother of 2 young kids, and half way through this discussion. I just wanted to say thank you so much to the person who started this conversation, and to everyone who is contributing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A takeaway here is parents must take teen pain very seriously.

Opiates after a severe bone break are not inappropriate. But the parent has to control very carefully and take proactive measures to manage any lingering pain. This needs to be discussed with the doctor--no harm on impressing on them the dangers of teen pain because most simply don't get that if they won't it is all too easy for the teen to find things he can self-medicate with.

If your teen complains of pain without obvious cause treat this as a medical emergency. Go see a doctor. If he is dismissive or hints it's all psychological so doing anything will just feed the psychological illness, go to doctor after doctor until you find one that will take it seriously and address it urgently through non-opiate means. At a minimum, this will show your teen you are on their side and you at least are taking it seriously. This helps prevents the despair that causes teens in this situation to turn to drugs.

And all of the above also applies to mental pain as well.

+++++ 10000

We do not accept opiates for a bone break, wisdom teeth, etc.

We throw away all opiates in the house. We don't leave drugs around the house.

If only all parents were as wise.

They will be if we educate them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A takeaway here is parents must take teen pain very seriously.

Opiates after a severe bone break are not inappropriate. But the parent has to control very carefully and take proactive measures to manage any lingering pain. This needs to be discussed with the doctor--no harm on impressing on them the dangers of teen pain because most simply don't get that if they won't it is all too easy for the teen to find things he can self-medicate with.

If your teen complains of pain without obvious cause treat this as a medical emergency. Go see a doctor. If he is dismissive or hints it's all psychological so doing anything will just feed the psychological illness, go to doctor after doctor until you find one that will take it seriously and address it urgently through non-opiate means. At a minimum, this will show your teen you are on their side and you at least are taking it seriously. This helps prevents the despair that causes teens in this situation to turn to drugs.

And all of the above also applies to mental pain as well.

+++++ 10000

We do not accept opiates for a bone break, wisdom teeth, etc.

We throw away all opiates in the house. We don't leave drugs around the house.

If only all parents were as wise.

As far as I know, there is almost nothing out there in terms of popular articles or even more academic works that warns parents about the dangers of teen pain and how it can lead to addiction. Heck, doctors don't seem to know how dangerous it is. For that reason, it is a very hard lesson parents learn after the fact.

Interestingly, there is way more public awareness of mental health problems and addiction potential. We need at least as much awareness for physical pain, especially among those we naturally turn to in these situations, the doctors.

(Messed up earlier post)

The sad this is my sister (her daughter is addicted) asked the doctor to not prescribe opiates. He said, I am not an addiction specialist I treat pain and this is what I recommend.

That is crazy to me. Doctors DO NOT CARE. Their job is to write the script if the person can prove they are in pain, not how much pain. Prove also mean, saying "I am in pain."

We really need to realize doctors are human and many are just in it for the money.

[Anonymous]

^^^ sorry, meant the sad "thing"