Has your DC started drug or alcohol use?

[Anonymous]

Weed is much different now. Know many friends and relatives whose kids are really struggling getting off weed and vaping after getting hooked in college. Agree that weed is not harmless (nor is binge drinking or any drug) and long term issues are real
particularly if prone to depression and anxiety. Coke is also very rampant at certain schools. Some people can partake and handle it but many cannot. Have honest discussions frequently and keep an eye out.

[Anonymous]

Kids who are I think their parents are supportive of drug use are more likely to use drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear cocaine is making a come back. Is there any truth to that?

Haven't heard about any cocaine use in my kids' circles.

Then it must not be true. And you’d be the first the kid’s tell about their party habits. Statistics show that Americans are still in the number one consumers of recreational drugs.

Sigh. Stop misinterpreting posts and attacking people. It's not rational on your part. If you want to scoff at every single poster who says their kids don't use, and you want to claim that we're all idiots with kids who are lying to us, you can do that. But it's stupid. Most kids these days don't hide this from their parents - there isn't a taboo about drug use like there was in your generation. We're not a family that uses any of it, because we're sensitive to a lot of stimulants and pharmaceuticals, and my kids know they'll probably have all the side effects... so none of us are interested, and we, the parents, didn't try anything illicit at all when we were their age. I have no reason to lie on the internet, and my kids have no reason to lie to me: I'm not an authoritarian parent. You can choose to believe the worst of people, but it means you're going to go through life pretty miserable and paranoid.

Thank you for saying this. I’m pretty tired of the many posters who just say “your kids are lying” or “you’re in denial.” So, no, not all kids are headed down those paths.

Makes me wonder just what kinds of circles those parents and their kids run in. Glad me and mine choose not to be in them.

[Anonymous]

Everyone knows the worlds number one most used psychoactive drug is CAFFEINE!

[Anonymous]

My kid is way ahead of your kids! She used drugs and alcohol throughout high school, and now that she's in college she's already quit both!

Haha -- but not kidding: She was an MCPS student and the kids in her circles used heavily. Weed, alcohol, coke, psychedelics, perks. Wealthier kids used more -- probably bc they had more disposable income, I guess? Drugs and alcohol are expensive. And the kids most likely to take percocet were the kids whose parents would have freaked out about weed/alcohol -- because it's tiny and odorless and very easy to conceal.

Until it's too late, that is: She knew two kids -- TWO! -- who died of fentanyl poisoning in high school.

So insanely, heartbreakingly tragic.

Anyway, we did all the things, got all the supports, and got lucky -- and now she's thriving in college and is involved in drug and alcohol education on her campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear cocaine is making a come back. Is there any truth to that?

Haven't heard about any cocaine use in my kids' circles.

None at all, two ivies. One has more alcohol on campus than the other but both are less drinking culture than HS friends at bigger schools. Large % of the friends do not drink more than once every couple weeks or not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious. My DD goes to one of the schools on Princeton Review’s “Reefer Madness” list. She’s told me she started smoking weed several months ago as there’s a dispensary not too far. I honestly don’t mind as her grades are decent and she’s involved on campus. There’s worse things she can do and it’s not like I didn’t partake while in college either.

I will never understand parents who believe that good grades are an indicator that their student is doing well emotionally.

OP here. I’m close with my children but also give them space to explore and find their way. I may be an outlier here but I do not believe marijuana usage is indicative of extreme mental health problems. She does struggle with depression and anxiety but she keeps me in the loop and has a reliable therapist. If it was a daily thing I’d be worried. It’s more social/weekend. I’d rather her get marijuana from a dispensary than a shady drug dealer with fentanyl laced drugs.

This is sensible. From CA, I’ve always considered alcohol more serious than weed, although I’ve heard current varieties have more serious long term health effects, might want to look into that if you haven’t already.

I’ve always found it odd that some people get alarmed over their kid smoking weed while being fine with the kid drinking at an SEC or remote NE SLAC.

I'm also from CA, and while many kids in DC's social circle feel the same way, the research is pointing to the opposite. For the developing (under 25 year old brain) marijuana use is much worse than alcohol use. It is linked to permanent changes in the brain: executive function and focus, psychosis and schizophrenia (which only develops in teen years or later). And the kind of marijuana that is easily accessible (via dispensary) is more potent than what we had. Finally, if your DC does try pot, it is more unhealthy to inhale or smoke it (versus edible) due to the way it enters your bloodstream. Binge drinking is obviously also bad. I've shared this research transparently with DC so he can know this in advance.

Unfortunately lots of kids think pot is harmless or "natural" as there's much overlap with MAHA/wellness and cannabis use.

Agree, as do all the studies and all my physician colleagues. Alcohol is not great, but marijuana is worse by a significant margin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear cocaine is making a come back. Is there any truth to that?

Haven't heard about any cocaine use in my kids' circles.

Then it must not be true. And you’d be the first the kid’s tell about their party habits. Statistics show that Americans are still in the number one consumers of recreational drugs.

Sigh. Stop misinterpreting posts and attacking people. It's not rational on your part. If you want to scoff at every single poster who says their kids don't use, and you want to claim that we're all idiots with kids who are lying to us, you can do that. But it's stupid. Most kids these days don't hide this from their parents - there isn't a taboo about drug use like there was in your generation. We're not a family that uses any of it, because we're sensitive to a lot of stimulants and pharmaceuticals, and my kids know they'll probably have all the side effects... so none of us are interested, and we, the parents, didn't try anything illicit at all when we were their age. I have no reason to lie on the internet, and my kids have no reason to lie to me: I'm not an authoritarian parent. You can choose to believe the worst of people, but it means you're going to go through life pretty miserable and paranoid.

Thank you for saying this. I’m pretty tired of the many posters who just say “your kids are lying” or “you’re in denial.” So, no, not all kids are headed down those paths.

Makes me wonder just what kinds of circles those parents and their kids run in. Glad me and mine choose not to be in them.

+++

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear cocaine is making a come back. Is there any truth to that?

Haven't heard about any cocaine use in my kids' circles.

None at all, two ivies. One has more alcohol on campus than the other but both are less drinking culture than HS friends at bigger schools. Large % of the friends do not drink more than once every couple weeks or not at all.

They are not being honest with you. I have 2 kids at 2 different Ivies and both report seeing drug use: marijuana use all over and some cocaine use. Both were pretty studious geeks in high school and were not in the party circles and never encountered drugs in high school so this is new to them.

[Anonymous]

One of my kids became a habitual marijuana user. I hate it so much. I feel like it ruined his personality.

These kids think nothing can hurt them and a little experimentation is no big deal. They're wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear cocaine is making a come back. Is there any truth to that?

Haven't heard about any cocaine use in my kids' circles.

None at all, two ivies. One has more alcohol on campus than the other but both are less drinking culture than HS friends at bigger schools. Large % of the friends do not drink more than once every couple weeks or not at all.

They are not being honest with you. I have 2 kids at 2 different Ivies and both report seeing drug use: marijuana use all over and some cocaine use. Both were pretty studious geeks in high school and were not in the party circles and never encountered drugs in high school so this is new to them.

At Yale, the marijuana use is off the charts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear cocaine is making a come back. Is there any truth to that?

Haven't heard about any cocaine use in my kids' circles.

None at all, two ivies. One has more alcohol on campus than the other but both are less drinking culture than HS friends at bigger schools. Large % of the friends do not drink more than once every couple weeks or not at all.

They are not being honest with you. I have 2 kids at 2 different Ivies and both report seeing drug use: marijuana use all over and some cocaine use. Both were pretty studious geeks in high school and were not in the party circles and never encountered drugs in high school so this is new to them.

My freshman kid at an ivy said the same. Lots of fake ids among the 18 year olds to go out and drink, unsafe binge pre-gaming in dorm rooms with frequent police/ambulance response, and reports of widespread cocaine use at parties. Very much dependent on the circles of friends your kid associates with. Mine is not a partier at all and avoids a lot of this because he doesnt like to drink or even smell weed and was totally shocked by the cocaine use. He's happy to be a geek and watch a movie on friday night. But let's not pretend it's not around. And it seems to be more widely acceptable to use harder drugs than it used to be, so it's more out in the open and less behind closed doors. Plus cigarettes are all over too. It's worth having conversations to make sure they know the risks and how to be safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weed is much different now. Know many friends and relatives whose kids are really struggling getting off weed and vaping after getting hooked in college. Agree that weed is not harmless (nor is binge drinking or any drug) and long term issues are real
particularly if prone to depression and anxiety. Coke is also very rampant at certain schools. Some people can partake and handle it but many cannot. Have honest discussions frequently and keep an eye out.

Cocaine can be laced with fentanyl and other drugs. Very dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear cocaine is making a come back. Is there any truth to that?

Haven't heard about any cocaine use in my kids' circles.

None at all, two ivies. One has more alcohol on campus than the other but both are less drinking culture than HS friends at bigger schools. Large % of the friends do not drink more than once every couple weeks or not at all.

They are not being honest with you. I have 2 kids at 2 different Ivies and both report seeing drug use: marijuana use all over and some cocaine use. Both were pretty studious geeks in high school and were not in the party circles and never encountered drugs in high school so this is new to them.

My freshman kid at an ivy said the same. Lots of fake ids among the 18 year olds to go out and drink, unsafe binge pre-gaming in dorm rooms with frequent police/ambulance response, and reports of widespread cocaine use at parties. Very much dependent on the circles of friends your kid associates with. Mine is not a partier at all and avoids a lot of this because he doesnt like to drink or even smell weed and was totally shocked by the cocaine use. He's happy to be a geek and watch a movie on friday night. But let's not pretend it's not around. And it seems to be more widely acceptable to use harder drugs than it used to be, so it's more out in the open and less behind closed doors. Plus cigarettes are all over too. It's worth having conversations to make sure they know the risks and how to be safe.

Yes, this. I mean come on DCUM. Only on this website are there posters reporting: "nope, no cocaine use at all at my kid's Ivy."
It's all over the place at parties and if your kid ever leaves the library to go to a party or converses with another student who does they would know this.
It's incredibly dangerous as a parent to just deny it's existence entirely.

[Anonymous]

Drugs and alcohol are the best way to get the brain of good people to sigh and admit that our world is ran by Epstein people.