<p><em>By Barbara Bessette, CPS</em></p> <p>Driving marks an important step toward independence for your child, but it also exposes teens to serious risks, one of the most dangerous being texting while driving. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, texting and driving remains a leading cause of accidents among young drivers. Understanding why teens take this risk, the actual …
By Alexis Molineaux Gibbons, M.A., CCC-SLP Even for the most skilled of us, navigating the social world can be difficult. As adults, we sometimes find ourselves “putting a foot in our mouth” or making a social “faux pas” or misstep. Social interaction requires that we not only understand what someone has said, but that we …
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by Barbara Bessette, CPS Talking to your children about substances, whether it is alcohol, tobacco, vaping, cannabis, prescription medications, or illegal drugs, can feel overwhelming. You may worry about saying the wrong thing, making your child curious, or triggering defensiveness. According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), kids who have open, ongoing …
I dread this time of year. As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, my kids experience what I call the “winter blues.” While not as severe as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), these mild mood shifts—lower energy, irritability, decreased motivation, and a dip in enthusiasm— I found are surprisingly common. I researched some ways to …
Stress often spikes in early recovery because your body and mind adjust to life without substances. School makes it harder, since friends may joke about drinking, offer rides to parties, or pressure you to “fit in.” Social events can feel tense, especially if people ask personal questions. Fear of rejection can trigger racing thoughts and …
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Be honest – when you hear the word ”adolescence,” the first things that pop to your mind are hormones, drama, and boundary-pushing. To some extent, that’s true. After all, teens are figuring themselves out, testing limits, stumbling a little. Yet, what looks like typical teen behavior can sometimes be painful. Or rather, trauma that never …
Read More “The Connection Between Unaddressed Trauma And Substance Use In Adolescents”
Adolescence can be pretty tough. Anyone who’s been through it – or has also had a chance to witness someone go through it – knows exactly what’s up. The body changes while the social compass spins like a cheap weathervane. Friends become mirrors. Suddenly, everyone’s measuring themselves in reflections. You think you know yourself, then …
Read More “Peer Influence Versus Healthy Boundaries In Adolescence”
Relapse in teens means returning to harmful habits after progress in recovery. It often shows up as small but noticeable changes before a complete return to old patterns. Parents and caregivers need to stay alert because missed signs can lead to severe setbacks. Early warning signs of teen relapse often appear in emotional shifts, behavior …
by Katie Harlow, LCSW Now that summer is officially over, many parents find themselves settling into the structure and dependability of the school year while also being unsure of how to help kids continue to transition smoothly back to the school year routine. Kids also experience a mix of emotions and can be caught in …