by Samantha Booth, MA

Experimentation with alcohol and drugs during adolescence can be common.  Unfortunately, teenagers often don't recognize the link between their actions today and the consequences that happen tomorrow or later on in life.  They also can feel indestructible to problems that they may experience.  

Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age has negative health effects.  Some teens will experiment and stop, or continue to use occasionally without significant problems. Others will develop a dependency and potentially move on to more dangerous amounts or substances that can cause significant harm to themselves and possibly others.  It is difficult to know which teens will be more at risk for developing dependency.  It is also difficult to know at what point in life dependency becomes prominent.  Teenagers at risk for developing serious substance dependency include those:

• with a family history of substance use disorders
• who are depressed
• who have low self-esteem, and
• who feel like they don't have a community of people in which they fit and belong.

Parents can educate and help prevent their children from using substances by talking to them about drugs and alcohol, having open communication, role modeling, encouraging responsible behavior, and recognizing if problems are developing. 

At River Counseling we meet you where you are, offering hope. That is our mission. You may schedule an appointment with the Platte office or with one of the therapists from our other locations; Sioux Falls Psychological Services or Stronghold Counseling in Sioux Falls or Yankton.  To schedule an appointment please call 605-274-2716. Please note that River Counseling’s phone number has changed and the 605-337-3444 phone number is no longer in service.