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How to keep your kids from becoming addicts
| Sfj |
How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
The following is from Dr. Mary Holley’s book,
“Crystal Meth, They Call It Ice.”
Mother's Against Meth
Quote:
"The spiritual health of a teenager
is extremely important to resisting pressures to use drugs.
The strength of this association was described eloquently by
the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at
Columbia University. Teens who never attend worship services
are four times more likely to abuse drugs as those who
attend services weekly. Adults who never attend worship
services are eight times more likely to abuse drugs.
There are many factors going into that figure, income,
education, marital status of the parents for example, but
the most important variable was the spiritual condition of
the teen’s father. The father’s attendance at church was the
single most predictive factor for prevention of drug abuse
among teenagers in this study. The most important thing you
can do to reduce the risk of drug abuse in your family is to
take your kids to church.”
I can easily see some scoffing at this and
calling it bogus posting. But look at the 12-step programs. By
far, they are the most successful of all peer-to-peer programs
helping alcoholics and addicts to recovery. Twelve step programs
are very adamant about the spiritual nature of the program. The
quote above, of Dr. Holley, does not specify a particular
denomination or religion. It does place an emphasis on the
spirituality and the demonstration of that spirituality by the
father.
I’m sure that more controversy will follow. |
| Replies... |
| DSALO1 |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
Yep, I agree with her. The steps can be
found in the scriptures.
There are many reasons one would choose to use drugs.
So much of the time it is to escape pain of various types:
depression, anxiety, low self esteem, hopelessness, despair,
worthlessness
the steps begin to restore people in their souls.
The scriptures embodies the steps.
Healing of the soul is what overcomes the "beast".
Just as our laws were formed from the 10 commandments
to keep us safe and orderly, the 12 steps were formed from the
word of God to make get us well and find peace and healing for
our souls.
|
eyes
open83 |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
although i never attended "worship services"
as referred to in the quote...
i will comment on having spiritual parents and how, if at all
that affected my decision on taking/abusing drugs...my father
was an alcoholic....he sought recovery when i was 6 years of
age, he has not touched a single drop of alcohol or any mind or
mood altering substances since his first meeting....
he is/was a very spiritual man,12 step spiritual, and was very
open and expressed his spirituality to me....i grew up with much
talk of "A Higher Power Of My Understanding"....i was never
preached to or pressured into any religion of any sought...but
grew up around a very spiritual father...that didn't have ANY
effect on me at all that i can recall...
I'm sure statistics and numbers and studies from professional
and professors will say I'm wrong, but in my opinion THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP YOUR KIDS BECOMING ADDICTS short of locking them in a room all there life....i grew up
around the big book...i grew up in meetings....by the age of 12
i was sitting in meeting listening, crying because i related to
the speakers....as i had already started drinking and using
heavily at that age...i knew the serenity prayer when i was 10.
.but still i pursued that life....
what will be will be and in my opinion you can't stop that... |
| gigi177 |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
Then my daughter is one of the anomalies in
the statistics. She has gone to either Catholic or Episcopalian
schools her entire life. She went to Catholic church every week.
She was even youth lector and youth Eucharistic minister from
2nd grade on. My hubby and I have been married for almost 37
years. She had a very stable, loving family home in which to
grow up in.
So what happened??? |
imlost
inky |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
Quote:
The father’s attendance at church was
the single most predictive factor for prevention of drug
abuse among teenagers in this study.
Damn, I guess I messed that statistic up-
Could it be my father's attendance in church and his devout
belief that spare the rod and spoil the child that helped me go
against statistics?
He never missed a Sunday. On either - church or beatings.
Now do I think a stable home with a good foundation can make a
difference?
Why sure. But it is the absolute against substance abuse?
No.
Self esteem, coping skills, self confidence- that all plays an
incredible part on whether or not your child will do drugs.
Genetics play a huge part of the addiction aspect.
JMO of course. |
NoMore
4Me |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
I NEVER sent my kids to church or any sort of
worship services.
None have become addicts or even tried speed. 2 are grown.
I was/am very open about the dangers of drugs as well as my own
addiction.
I, on the other hand went to church every Sunday until I was
about 13 years old.
I think love, honesty and trust go a lot further in the home
than services on Sundays. IMO, individuality is the key to
survival...knowing yourself, believing in yourself,
loving yourself and treating others like you'd want them
to treat you... in the bible, but also common sense. |
Saved
inillinois |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
I think you know what I'm going to say. I
definitely agree with the Doctor. I'm sure there are many
exceptions, but attending services regularly has got to help.
I still feel pretty much helpless, though, in keeping my child
from drugs. He's only 7 now and I already worry about what will
happen when he's older. I guess I just keep praying and let God
do His work, whatever that may be. |
silly
veronica |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
I don't necessarily completely disagree with
the doctor ... but am frustrated that he's saying this is out of
my control. So as a divorced mother, whose ex-husband doesn't go
to church ... I'm just screwed? Nope, I won't accept that. |
imlost
inky |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
And as well you shouldn't.
It isn't hopeless. |
Lives
With
Wolves |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
I read her book and highly recommend it.
My son, a recovering Crystal Meth addict, does believe in God.
He has pictures of Jesus in his residence, as well as many forms
of the Bible.
He went to private, religious schools during his teen years. He
attended church.
I do believe his faith has helped him in his struggles to
recover.
He is doing well, by the way. He had a relapse last month, moved
into the "crack house" as he called it. After two weeks, he ran
back home and now, has moved to Las Vegas for a break. He has
already gotten a job and is happy and doing well. |
luve
piphany |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
Funny that I had this type of conversation
with my mom the other day and she knows virtually nothing of my
situation with loving a meth addict. She has been getting hints
from many people that she should "go to church" and in church,
she is hearing that God wants her there. So, she tells me that I
should go to church. I, then tell her that I worship everywhere,
can worship anywhere, that I did go to Sunday school when I was
a kid by myself, that I did go to church a lot in my life. She
said she thought that she and my dad should have gone to church.
I told her that I knew that they loved me and God even if they
didn't go to church-that is what I remember believing as a
child. I became a Christian when I was 12, I drank and did drugs
as a child on through teen years. I always prayed. I always knew
that God wanted me to not hurt my body or my soul. It was when I
had the chance to go to NA and AA meetings at the age of 18 that
I really latched on to my spirituality and I realized why God
didn't want me to hurt my body or soul with drugs and alcohol. I
never went back to using drugs and never became an
alcoholic-instead, I ended up loving addicts. Letting go and
letting God was much much easier later on because of my early
spiritual relationship with God, but probably not because I went
to church. Obviously, everyone with addiction in their
genes-jeans, will fight some battle with some addiction
sometime.
I think family togetherness is the ticket more than just worship
in church. |
eyes
open83 |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
come to think of it 90% of the addicts i have
heard share in NA grew up with a catholic or religious child
hood. |
Rubyy
2zday |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
YA!
If answers were simple and applied to ALL then we'd ALL be
perfect. Everyone's different; what works wonders for some is
poison for others. |
| lax2 |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
Yeah I guess it didn't work in our case
either....
Cuz My bro and I were forced to go to church and Sunday school
until we were confirmed. Dad was even our Sun School teacher for
a couple of years.
After church we each got a quarter for candy...I guess as a
bribe or reward for not playing sick. We didn't get candy if we
played sick.
I remember more than once painting measles on my brother with a
permanent marker. He started drugs even younger than I at about
12.
Dad got up every Sunday to teach and sit thru service no matter
how hung-over he was from from the night before. Amen. |
| Loraura |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
I went to church usually every Sunday (not a
lot of exceptions, but some) with both mom and dad who are still
married every weekend from infancy thru leaving for college.
I went to private Catholic school from K-6.
I attended CCD classes through high school (continuing education
for Catholics).
I got married in the Catholic Church.
My son was baptized in the catholic church.
However, from K-6, every day, as we were let out of class, we
were allowed to form a line at the Rectory (where the priests
live) and be blessed by Fr. Charles, who I absolutely adored
(and still do, bless his soul). Fr. Charles would bless us, and
let us each have a piece of candy. And a hug.
As a result, I found that candy reduced any and all anxiety that
had built up throughout the school day.
I didn't turn into a drug addict.
I turned into a sugar addict. |
kmb
2006 |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
I have no opinion on whether organized
religion keeps kids off drugs. I'm the child of a devout
Catholic mother and an Atheist father. I didn't become an
addict, but I married one.
BUT... this seems like a good place to share the poem that hung
in hallway of every dwelling my Mom and I lived in (right next
to Desiderata) and that hangs in my own hallway today... If
you've never read it, I hope you enjoy it.
Children Learn What They Live
by Dorothy Law Nolte
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for
themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have
a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn
respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in
themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a
nice place in which to live. |
sickids
gurl |
Re: How to keep your kids
from becoming meth addicts
And the only thing I CAN do is love my
kids, try to teach them right from wrong, and hope for the best.
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