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Friday, November 17, 2017

A Parent's Guide to Teen Addiction



by Laurence M. Westreich, MD
Skyhorse Publishing     2017
226 pages      Nonfiction
The Shortlist

Dr. Laurence Westreich is an addiction psychiatrist and an expert in teen addictions. Every parent should have access to this book or a similar book as they try to negotiate the world of teen addiction.
Divided into three sections, his book guides parents from the moment they suspect their teen has a substance abuse problem to the steps families must take after intensive treatment. Dr. Westreich: 

• Lays out the facts of teen addiction and explains how to recognize a problem with a teen 
• Details what parents need to know about the substances that teenagers commonly use 
• Provides information on what to do about the substance abuse, including how to find good one-on-one addiction therapy, how to encourage a teen to enter an outpatient program or inpatient facility, and how to line up aftercare treatment 

Best of all, he includes “tough talk” dialogues that parents can tailor to their specific situation with their teen. 

There are several particular things that I appreciated about this book: Westreich has created probing dialogues to begin conversations with teenagers about symptoms of addiction problems. While a parent might not have the exact conversation from the text with their teen, the examples are very good and can help parents frame their dialogue. I also liked that he touches on other types of addiction, including food, sex, and gambling. The casual reader doesn't immediately connect those three addictions with drugs and alcohol, but the symptoms are similar. Finally, I appreciated the glossary of terminology at the end of the book. The vernacular changes all the time.

As the grandmother of teenagers, I appreciated the thoughtfulness with which this book was created. I want the best for them and hope that they can negotiate the teen landscape and come out as stronger adults. "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."

Be sure to also look up my review of Born to Be Wild by Jess Shatkin. It is a terrific look at why teens take risks. Highly praised.


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