We Teach Sex Ed to Kids, Why Not Addiction Awareness?

Knowing about the dangers of addiction is just as important as talking about the birds and the bees, according to Dr. Rajy Abulhosn, a medical provider at Confirm BioSciences. When nearly 2.3 million adolescents ages 12-17 admit to using alcohol in the past month and 1.9 million adolescents admit to using drugs, school districts should be at the frontlines of combating the addiction crisis. As part of the same courses that teach comprehensive sex ed, he believes schools should be talking about the intersection with drugs and alcohol.

Dr. Raiy is challenging people to consider this argument, why not include this information? Kids are being taught sex ed in school, why would it be more shocking to present real conversations in schools to kids about addiction? The answers may surprise you!

Only 57% of Parents in America tell their kids about drug and alcohol addiction, how it may relate to their families etc. This number must come up, there must be a better way to at least encourage parents to open up about this subject to their kids. As long as this stat stays true, we will never accomplish anything.

Dr. Raiy is an experienced Medical Director with expertise in Corporate Wellness, Travel Medicine/Counseling, and also as a Medical Review Officer. I am very comfortable in non-clinical medical roles, including leadership roles, management/administrative roles, and public speaking. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), with a Medical Degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine. I am board-certified in Family Medicine, and am also a member of the American Association of Medical Review Officers and the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners.

In this episode we cover:

• Addiction and mental health’s portrayal in the media
  • HBO’s show Euphoria did a great job of not glamorizing drug and alcohol use in Season One.
  • People struggling with mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, are more likely to develop substance use disorder to help deal with the associated symptoms.
  • In the depressive phase, people may turn to alcohol or other substances to help ease depression, sadness, loneliness, and/or associated anxiety.
  • For those in the manic phase, their hyperactivity may lower inhibitions and impair judgment, leading them to use or abuse substances when they normally wouldn't.
• There’s a specific scene in Euphoria where the main character cheats on a urine test while she is in “recovery.” If the main character had taken a hair test, it would have shown that she indeed had not stopped using.
• Opting to perform drug testing on your child or teen can greatly reduce the likelihood of them trying drugs or succumbing to peer pressure.
• It is important to let them know your reasons and listen to their opinions and concerns, as your child may be hurt or upset by your decision, even if it is made with their best interests in mind.
• How parents can talk to their kids about substance use
  • Teens who say their parents would strongly disapprove of them trying marijuana are much less likely to use an illicit drug than those who think their parents would not strongly disapprove.
  • A necessary part of preventing drug use in the home lies with drug testing. Sometimes verbalizing a no drug policy isn’t enough.
  • At-home drug testing kits don’t have to be an intimidation method but rather a conversation-starter to ask questions and understand the consequences of drug addiction – in turn helping parents take back control of what is perceived to be an uncontrollable situation.