Teens, Drinking & Drugs ~A Guide For Parents of Teens Living in Beijing

Dr Lyn Wren

Western Academy of BeijingApril 25th 2013

What We Will Cover Today

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The Powerful Role of ParentsEvidence Based Research Confirms…

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Before You Can Influence Your Teen There Are A Few Essentials

Before You Can Influence Your Teen There Are A Few Essentials

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Know What You Are Talking About

It is essential that we are knowledgeable

& informed when it comes to Teenage

Health Issues.

Which leads us to…..

What Are The Issues In Relation

To Alcohol & Other Substances?

ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE IN TEENAGERSALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE IN TEENAGERS

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Alcohol & Substance Use By Teenagers In Beijing

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FIRSTLY:Tell Them What’s ‘NORMAL’ & What’s NOT

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“Most kids drink”

“Everybody tries substances at some stage”

“Drinking is out of control at this school”

“Most kids start to drink in Middle School”

“Pretty much everyone drinks in High School”

“Alcohol and other drug use is an epidemic amongst teenagers”

WRONG

Drunk in the past month?< 5% Year 8s<15% Year

10s< 20% Year

12s

Drunk in the past month?< 5% Year 8s<15% Year

10s< 20% Year

12s

ALCOHOL & TEENAGERS SOME STATISTICSYouth Risk Behaviours Surveillance System (15-19 yo, US CDC 2009)

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Alcohol & Drugs Report 2011Binge Drinking Years 8, 10 & 12

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DRUGS & TEENAGERS SOME STATISTICSYouth Risk Behaviours Surveillance System (15-19 yo, US CDC 2009)

Tried marijuana 37%

Tried prescription drugs 20%

Tried inhalants 12%

Tried ecstasy 7%

Tried cocaine 6%

Tried speed 4%

Tried heroin 2%

In Beijing Marijuana, XTC,

prescription drugs for ADD/ADHD,

magic mushrooms & cocaine more

common

In Beijing Marijuana, XTC,

prescription drugs for ADD/ADHD,

magic mushrooms & cocaine more

common

SECONDLY: Tell Them About How The Brain Is Still Developing

Source: Nature Neuroscience 2003Source: Nature Neuroscience 2003

WH

ITE

MA

TT

ER

VO

LU

ME

Age (Years)

Teens

20

30

40

50

60

3010 20 605040 70 80 90

THIRDLY: Give Them The Scientific EvidenceTHIRDLY: Give Them The Scientific Evidence

FINDINGSALCOHOL CAN AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

TEENAGE BRAIN IN 2 MAIN AREAS

FINDINGSALCOHOL CAN AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

TEENAGE BRAIN IN 2 MAIN AREAS

WHITE MATTER IN THE FRONTAL & PREFRONTAL LOBES:Thinking, concentration & judgment

HIPPPOCAMPUS: Memory

FINDINGS:BRAIN DAMAGE & NEGATIVE

EFFECTS ON THINKING (Tapert et al)

4-5 STANDARD DRINKS over a few hours / 1-2 times per month caused brain damage

What is a ‘Standard Drink’ Guide 

375mlFull strength

375ml 150ml 1 shot (30ml)

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1.5 1.5 11.4

Measurement of blood flow during a memory exercise(MRI with contrast)

15 year old male NON DRINKERBrain activity (Top scan)

15 year old binge drinker, Showing reduced brain activity(Bottom scan)

SOURCE: SUSAN TAPERT, PHD, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO

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SPECT SCAN HEALTHY BRAIN Vs BINGE DRINKINGhttp://www.amenclinics.com/brain-science/spect-image-gallery/

No binge drinking

x Binge drinking ~ 2x per month ~ 2 years

NO BINGE DRINKING

1. Reduced ability to interpret spatial information (needed for mathematics, physics, IT, economics etc)

2. Memory loss

INTELLECTUAL TESTINGTesting showed those teenagers who

drank had the following changes

3. Reduced ability to focus on something for a long period of time

4. Slower thinking abilities.

What Kind Of Difference Are We Talking About?

"The magnitude of the difference is 10 percent”

•International Baccalaureate a 7&6/6&5……

•A 10% lower SAT (1800 versus 2000)

•GSCE & A Levels: difference between A/B, B/C

•And so on

"The magnitude of the difference is 10 percent”

•International Baccalaureate a 7&6/6&5……

•A 10% lower SAT (1800 versus 2000)

•GSCE & A Levels: difference between A/B, B/C

•And so on

OTHER EFFECTS FROM BINGE DRINKING (2010 USDC Studies) OTHER EFFECTS FROM BINGE DRINKING (2010 USDC Studies)

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1. Stress & anxiety levels higher (afterwards)2. Linked to depression & schizophrenia3. Major link with suicide & motor vehicle accidents4. Sleeping difficulties5. Linked with/worsens ADHD/ADD6. Major link with use of ‘other substances’7. Linked to increased risk taking behaviors

Unprotected sexual intercourse More sexual activity than ‘norm’ for them Date Violence / forced sexual intercourse Fights/physical violence Driving drunk

What about Marijuana, Ecstasy (MDMA), Methamphetamine (MA) & Cocaine

British Journal of Psychiatry. Sept 2011Found Marijuana Exposure shrinks the thalamus,amygdala-hypothalamus structures, white matter & the hippocampus

Philippe - 2 year history of smoking marijuana weekly – brain wouldlook like this.

Marijuana, XTC and MA negatively affect the following

SUMMARY OF THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL & OTHER SUBSTANCES ON THE TEENAGE BRAINSUMMARY OF THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL & OTHER SUBSTANCES ON THE TEENAGE BRAIN

Have A Healthy Degree of Suspicion

Alcohol & Substance Use may indicate other underlying issues such as stress, anxiety, depression or eating disorders

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If you are concerned then talk with the school counselors, nurses or another health professional

CONCLUSION

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“If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later. I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and less tugging.“

Diane Loomans

Useful References For Parents of Teens

YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOUR SURVEILLANCE

http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss5905.pdf

ADOLESCENT HEALTH TOPICS

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/healthtopics/index.htm

ALCOHOL & THE HUMAN BRAIN – TAPERT ET AL STUDIES

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh284/205-212.htm

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-still-under-construction/complete-index.shtml

TEACHING TOOLS FOR PARENTS: Alcohol & Teenage Brains

http://parentsempowered.org/files/resources/teaching_tools.pdf

GALLERY OF BRAIN SCANS

http://www.amenclinics.com/brain-science/spect-image-gallery/

Synopsis of This PresentationSynopsis of This Presentation

This talk aims to prepare parents of pre-teens and teens for dealing with the unique issues surrounding alcohol and drugs, in the context of living in Beijing. What is normal? How should I discuss this with my teen? What about the cultural differences and freedom of alcohol access in Beijing? What effect does alcohol and other substances actually have on the brain and body of a teenager. We will discuss these topics and more in an informal and interactive presentation. Bring your questions and let’s get more prepared to handle the transition of our teens into dealing with the issue of alcohol and other substances.