There is an easier way to find out if your teenager is at risk for substance abuse.
According to the centre for adolescent substance abuse research (CeASAR) parents can now use a behavioural health screening tool with children under the age of 21.
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Dr Michiel van der Merwe, executive director of Stabilis treatment centre, said the tool called CRAFFT, was a test consisting of six questions developed to screen adolescents for high risk alcohol and other drug use disorders.
“It is a short, effective screening tool meant to assess whether a longer conversation about the context of use, frequency, and other risks and consequences of alcohol and other drug use is warranted.”
If the adolescent answers “no” to all three opening questions, the provider only needs to ask the adolescent the first question – the “car” question.
If the adolescent answered “yes” to any one or more of the three opening questions, the provider had to ask all six “ctafft” questions.
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Here’s the list of questions to ask:
Part A: During the past 12 months, did you:
– Drink any alcohol (more than a few sips).
– Smoked any marijuana or hashish.
– Used anything else to get “high”?
Part B: if they answered “yes” to any of the above questions, they must respond to the following questions:
– Have you ever ridden in a car driven by someone (including yourself) who was “high” or had been using alcohol or other drugs?
– Do you ever use alcohol or other drugs to relax, to feel better about yourself, or to fit in?
– Do you ever use alcohol or other drugs while you are alone?
– Do you ever forget things you did while using alcohol or other drugs?
– Does your family or friends ever tell you that you should cut down on your drinking or drug use?
– Have you ever gotten into trouble while you were using alcohol or other drugs?
“If the person answered ‘yes’ on two or more of part B’s questions, the adolescent is probably at high risk of being addicted,” said Van der Merwe.
“It is then recommended to go for a professional assessment.”
Van der Merwe said there were myths around substance addiction that needed to be debunked.
“It is not true that one must strike the bottom before starting the journey of recovery.”
Here’s a list of other myths coupled with facts:
– Myth: One can only change lifestyle if you are ready to do so. No one can force you.
Fact: Many persons were forced by circumstances like final warning at work, court decision, divorce threatening, etc changed their lifestyles for good with the help of proper rehabilitation programmes.
– Myth: There is no merit in trying again after a relapse.
Fact: Permanent recovery sometimes only takes place after one or more relapses, because the person then identified the real triggers. Every moment being sober/clean is a bargain.
– Myth: The longer the rehabilitation programme, the better it is.
Fact: It is not about length, but the content of the rehabilitation programme and the holistic needs of the person that counts.
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