You came here because you want to be a good parent and need help dealing with one of two situations. You either suspect your teen is abusing drugs or you know they are a teenage addict. You think s/he might be abusing alcohol and drugs or may be addicted to them. You want your teenager to stop using because you understand the horrible consequences of drug abuse but drug treatment isn't always the best first choice. Unfortunately, your troubled teen does not seem to understand the dire consequences of their actions, or if your drug abusing teen does, won’t stop abusing drugs. 

You definitely want to know that the actions you take are effective. Although there are no guarantees in this serious business, there are certain actions a parent can take that will help steer the young person in the right direction. You have been a Life Coach to your youngster for many years. Now it is time to change the focus and become a Sober Coach.

The information on this site is an overview of the book by Shelly Marshall, best selling addiction author and her brother, Dr. Michael J Marshall, professor and clinician in private practice.

Sober Coaching the Toxic Teen, 

An interactive guide for teaching parents and primary caregivers how to manage a drug crisis

You can order this book through Amazon or go directly to the Day By Day Kiosk where you can order in bulk for discounts of 10 to 40%. 

Getting started:

• Decide if you are in Prevention Mode or Crisis Mode based on the questions below.
• Go to your corresponding page for information on actions you can be taking and helpful links.
• Once you are through the crisis and your young person is seeking professional help, you must begin the process of becoming a sober coach for your child.
• Download the worksheets you see below and begin using them.
• Buy the book, Sober Coaching Your Toxic Teen   for  an interactive and more detailed guide on how to walk through a drug crisis without enabling. Includes over 23 reproducible handouts and worksheets.

Final thought before you begin

it is extremely important that you understand how little influence you have on your adolescent's behavior once they walk out your door. No matter how diligent, involved, or "close" you are to your child, once they walk out the door it's a different ball park and you aren't the coach! Judith Harris's book, The Nurture Assumption, is the best explanation you will find on this issue. 

Despite what some authorities tell you, the latest "State of Our Nation's Youth" survey finds that most teens are not pressured to use drugs. It is just a convenient way for people to shift the blame to their friends. But think about it. Who are their friends? Your neighbor's kids, whose parents think the same thing, "My poor kids are being pressured to do drugs by the neighbors kids!" 

You can visit Focus on Adolescence for a full list of great articles exploring this important concept. The most critical factor for at-risk behavior in your child is the behavior of his or her friends, no matter what you have taught them at home. If your child's friends are using drugs or displaying self-destructive behaviors, then your child is doing the same. Know who your teen associates with and encourage healthy peer relationships.

|6.23.2007 | Don't enable your children, empower them | Buy Now from Google Checkout or Amazon.com