Teens Under the Influence: The Truth About Kids, Alcohol, and Other Drugs- How to Recognize the Problem and What to Do About It

by Katherine Ketcham, Nicholas A. Pace

Across the United States, in small towns and major cities, in suburbs and slums, in public and private schools, thousands of kids are experimenting with drugs. Many of them will become addicts; some will die. The first and only book to focus entirely on adolescent alcohol and other drug use, Teens Under the Influence addresses the immediate dangers that threaten these kids—exploring the short- and long-term effects of their addiction and giving parents solid, sensitive, practical advice to combat this growing epidemic.

Knowledge is the key to defeating drug addictions, and that is what this comprehensive, timely new book provides. Full of candid true stories from adolescent drug users, with facts based on the most recent scientific research, Teens Under the Influence tells you exactly what you need to know to deal with your child’s problem, covering such important topics as

• The common myths and misconceptions about drug addiction
• The crucial differences between adult and adolescent dependency
• The reasons kids get hooked
• The stages of adolescent addiction
• The different kinds of drugs kids use and combine
• Various treatment options and how to choose the best treatment for your child
• Strategies for handling relapses

Teens Under the Influence offers practical help that may save your child’s life. It may save the life of a friend. And it may save your own.

Genres: Psychology

414 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2003

About the author

I've been writing non-fiction books for nearly 40 years. My first book, UNDER THE INFLUENCE: A GUIDE TO THE MYTHS AND REALITIES OF ALCOHOLISM (co-authored by James Milam, Ph.D.) was published in 1981; my new book, THE ONLY LIFE I COULD SAVE, will be published by Sounds True on April 1, 2018. My books, seventeen in all, have been published in sixteen foreign languages and have sold over 1.5 million copies.

In 2000 I began volunteering at the Juvenile Justice Center in Walla Walla, leading educational groups and working individually with adolescents in trouble with alcohol and other drugs. I've worked there ever since, as both a paid employee and volunteer, meeting with young people in detention and on probation, consulting with staff and administrators, and educating family members.

From October 2001 to October 2003 and October 2012-October 2013, I wrote a bi-monthly newspaper column for the Walla Walla Union Bulletin titled "Straight Talk About Drugs.”

In 2003, working with a group of committed parents, I started a parent support group at the Juvenile Justice Center in Walla Walla, which continues to this day. I am the founder and Executive Director of Trilogy Recovery Community, a grassroots, nonprofit organization in Walla Walla dedicated to developing and expanding community-based recovery support services for chemically dependent youth and their family members.

I grew up in New Jersey and graduated from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York with a degree in psychology in 1971. I have lived and worked in Boston, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, San Francisco, Seattle, and Ohio. In 1984, I moved to Walla Walla, Washington with my husband, Patrick Spencer, a geology professor at Whitman College. We have three children -- Robyn, 35, a speech pathologist living in Portland, Oregon; Alison, 33, a special education teacher living in Seattle, Washington; and Benjamin, 31, writer/researcher who is currently finishing up his first novel.

Reviews

[Judy Herzanek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "must have" for ANY parent.

"Kathy Ketcham covers it all in the comprehensive guide for parents and anyone concerned about a teen they care about.

This book is so packed with information, you will find yourself referring to it over and over again.

A "must have" for ANY parent."

Judy Herzanek, Co-Author:

Why Don't They Just Quit? What families and friends need to know about addiction and recovery
90-Minute DVD: Why Don't They Just QUIT? DVD Roundtable Discussion: What families and friends need to know about addiction and recovery.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wahoo! I finished my continuing education course! And this was a very interesting read. I had to read it to keep my professional license, but it is a book geared towards parents of teenagers who suspect or know that their child is using drugs. They talk about the illness of addiction and dispell the many myths about it. They go in depth to discuss many of the different drugs that are being used along with the side effects of usage. They end the book talking about different treatment options and how to communicate more effective with your teen to give them the support that they need. Great quotes from teens that use drugs--some that want to stop, some that don't want to stop, and some that have been clean for months. Very insightful and eye opening.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary reading for all parents and those who work with this population. Informative and well-written.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any parent......very clear concise and informative.

[Delia Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good up-to-date reference book

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative and thought provoking.