substance abuse prevention &  intervention

Parent Resources

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​Free Family Support Group via Zoom led by Amy Alden from The Arbor: Behavioral Health Care

Every second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 7pm - 8pm. Upcoming meetings in 2020 will be:

September 22nd
October 13th, October 27th
November 10th, November 24th.

By participating in this group, you will learn how to apply the three 'C's of supporting an addict:
  1. You didn't Cause the addiction
  2. You can't Control the addiction
  3. You can't Cure the addiction

The Family Support Group is open to anyone struggling with addiction in a loved one. It is not necessary for a loved one to be in treatment at The Arbor to participate in the family support group.

No RSVP or registration required. Please call Amy Alden at 844-560-7269, or email aalden@thearbor.com for more information.
**Check the Speaker Series page for additional local resources**
National Institute on Drug Abuse

Parents Empowered

Partnership to End Addiction

Talk They Hear You - this site has a wealth of great, useful information

The Power of Parents - MADD

The University of Texas at Austin - Center for Students in Recovery Resources

Drug Rehab.com - an excellent resource for additional information and resources 
Warning Signs 

Warning Signs & Steps to Prevent

Drug Guide for Parents

Drug Identification for Parents

what can parents do?

Family Checkup: Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse

Here are some reminders on what we can do to encourage our kids to avoid alcohol and drugs: 
  • Spend time together regularly. 
  • Eat dinner regularly with your family.
  • Listen and talk with your children.  Try to understand the pressures placed on them and don't criticize their beliefs (avoid placing judgment or giving advice. Sometimes children just need to talk and have you listen). 
  • Keep track of where your children are, what they are doing, and who their friends are. 
  • Get them involved in after-school activities so they won't be able to just "hang out" with friends in the afternoon.  This is when children are most likely to experiment.
  • Praise or reward children often.  If they feel good about themselves, they will be more confident and better able to resist peer pressure.
  • Be a positive role model for your children.  Don't abuse alcohol or drugs.
  • Help them learn positive coping skills (exercising, keeping a journal, talk to a friend, deep/slow breathing. etc.) so when something difficult comes along they are not looking to escape through drugs or alcohol. 
  • Ensure they are getting a proper night's sleep and good nutrition. 
Getting your child involved in some type of activity and keeping them busy is
​another great way to look at prevention!  
Here is our list of clubs!

local resources

Al-Anon/Alateen
888-425-2666
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/index.php

Keystone APG
http://keystoneaustin.org/

PDAP
http://www.pdapaustin.org/

Young People in Recovery

Communities for Recovery

The University of Texas at Austin - Center for Students in Recovery Resources

University High School - At University High School, our mission is to enable each of our students to fulfill his or her personal and academic potential within a supportive and sober recovery environment

Sage Recovery & Wellness Center
Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Program for Substance Abuse and Mental Health for Adults and & Adolescents 
Free Assessments
512-306-1394

OK2TALK - a community for teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems and encourage them to talk about what they’re experiencing by sharing their personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope.
NAMI Austin

Crisis Call Center
800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863
http://crisiscallcenter.org/crisisservices.html

Dispose My Meds! - Here is just one option for you to safely dispose your old or expired medication 

study drugs

While most the information out there pertains to college students, do not think this is not happening in high schools all over the nation!  Often times in high performing schools, we see kids that want to get ahead or stay ahead.  Sometimes they need assistance to do that.  
Know where your medication is and do not allow your kids or their friends access to it.  Monitor your child's medication.  You just never know... 

Here is some great information on Study Drugs!

Using Study Drugs To Get Better Grades: Why You Should Think Twice

Risky Rise of the Good-Grade Pill
 
3 Things Parents of High Schoolers Need to Know About ‘Study Drugs’

Could this be your child?  Read how common this phenomena is.
Popping Pills!