The Pandemic & Addiction in Young People: Personal Story, Professional Insight

The pandemic has been challenging for everyone. For young people, it has been especially difficult as so many of the normal rights of passage of youth have been disrupted. So, how has the pandemic challenged young people's mental health? In what ways has the pandemic affected those with, or at risk for, substance use disorders? And, how has delivery of care for young people struggling with addiction shifted during the pandemic?   Dr. Sara Polley, medical director at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s national substance use and mental health treatment center for adolescents and young adults, joins Mom Enough for this compelling episode. She shares her expertise on youth and substance use disorders, and highlights the significant effects of the pandemic on youth and the delivery of addiction treatment. Listen to Polley's personal story about addiction in her family and how that led her to a career in addiction medicine. You won't want to miss this important show on addiction  in young people during the pandemic!   HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUNG PEOPLE? What have you noticed about the effects of the pandemic on the young people in your lives? Where would you go To address stigma, how might we better support individuals and families struggling with addiction?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ADDICTION AND YOUNG PEOPLE? ❉ HOPE FOR FAMILIES FACING ADDICTION: EXPERT ADVICE FROM HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION. Did you know that 1 in 10 people over the age of 12 years struggles with a substance use disorder? With such a high incidence, it is likely that most people have a friend or family member who is struggling with substance use or abuse. So, how does addiction affect families? And is there hope for families facing addiction? Kate Roselle of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s adolescent and young adult continuum of care joins Mom Enough for a compelling discussion on families facing addiction. ❉ PROMOTING WELLNESS, PREVENTING SUBSTANCE MISUSE: WISDOM FROM FCD PREVENTION WORKS. Are your kids pleading to go to parties because “everyone else goes”? And how accurate are your kids’ perceptions that “everyone else” is doing this? Are you looking to support your child in making healthy choices around alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs? Deirdre Flynn from FCD Prevention Works, part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, joins Marti & Erin to share critical information to help you support your children in making healthy choices. ❉ RECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO SIGNS OF POSSIBLE SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN YOUR ADOLESCENT OR YOUNG ADULT: GUIDANCE FROM THE HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION. As parents, most of us would rather not even think about the possibility that our son or daughter could develop an addiction to alcohol or other substances. But putting our head in the sand and ignoring signs of possible substance abuse only increases the risks. Tune into this episode for the information you need to recognize signs of substance abuse, seek an evaluation by an experienced professional, and, if needed, get appropriate treatment and family support.