Connect with The Prevention Researcher

~ By Brooke

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent Social Media Survey!  The information we gathered will be helpful to us as we continue to reach out to our readers.  While some of the survey results were what we expected, a few surprised us.

One of the surprising results was that while over half of the respondents do read blogs related to adolescent research, two-thirds of the respondents didn’t even know that we have a blog (obviously, if you’re reading this, you do know!).  Similarly, two-thirds of the survey respondents listen to podcasts, but
86 percent did not know that The Prevention Researcher has podcasts.

In light of these interesting findings, I thought I’d take an opportunity to share with our readers the variety of ways they can keep in contact with us and continue to learn about adolescent development.

Facebook: Our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ThePreventionResearcher, features updates on the newest research related to teens, special promotions or new products from The Prevention Researcher, and what our partnering organizations are up to.

 

LinkedIn: The survey results showed that many of our readers are on LinkedIn.  Well, so are we!  If you search for The Prevention Researcher, you can connect with us professionally and stay updated with our new projects.

 

Twitter: This is a great way to connect with us and other youth-related organizations to stay up-to-date with new research about and programs for youth, as well as our newest products and promotions.

 

Google+: Are you on Google+?  Join our feed, so we can learn what is going on with you and your work with youth, while you can stay in touch with us at the same time.

 

Podcasts: With each new issue, we produce a podcast related to the topic.  The podcast is a 15-20 minute interview with someone who has done research or worked in programs related to the issue topic. You can listen directly from our website, or you can find us on iTunes for free!

 

YouTube: Our YouTube channel features two playlists: the first contains tutorials on how to navigate and fully use our digital editions, and the second playlist brings you our podcasts turned vodcasts, with slide presentations of key points from the podcast interviews.

 

As you can see, there are a LOT of ways to both keep in touch with The Prevention Researcher and stay up-to-date on the latest research in adolescent development.  Is there something you’d like us to focus on in one of our social media outlets?  Leave a comment and let us know!

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Teen Addiction Recovery and Families

~ By Colette

“Throughout my journey I have been motivated to stay in recovery because of my family… My family’s love for me is my rock. Without them I wouldn’t be in recovery.”

“It has been difficult for me to keep from getting overwhelmed with my responsibilities, such as… maintaining boundaries with my family… Even though I have had to make a tough decision of being in foster care, I know that I have the skills and motivation to work my recovery.”

Both of these quotes come from “In My Own Words…. Celebrating Students’ Stories of Recovery” a compilation of essays from a 2009 essay contest designed specifically for students enrolled in high school or collegiate recovery schools. I chose these quotes because they highlight the range of family experiences for youth in recovery – from being motivated to stay in recovery because of your family to having to distance yourself from your family in order to maintain recovery.

For most youth, family support and positive involvement during the treatment and recovery process is vital. However, many parents and families need support and guidance in how to be optimally effective. This guidance and support can come from service providers as well as other families.

Our upcoming Resource Issue will be devoted to the topic of supporting teens in addiction recovery. This issue will feature a Q&A with Steve Hornberger about working with and supporting families whose teenager is in recovery. Steve has an extensive background working with youth and families around addiction and recovery issues, including work at the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, at the Child Welfare League of America, and for the CSAT Statewide Adolescent Coordination grants.

This Q&A will focus on what professionals need to know when working with families whose teen is in recovery.  While Steve is providing the answers, we would like you to provide the questions. To get your thoughts started, I’ve outlined some possible topics below:

• What do you want to know about the needs of families with a teen in recovery?
• Do you have questions about best strategies?
• What about identifying the best resources for families?
• What is your role in supporting the families of youth in recovery?

Please type your questions in the comments below or email them to info@tpronline.org. Our editorial staff will choose 7 to 10 questions for Steve to answer. Additionally, one person will be chosen at random to receive a free copy of the book Everything Changes: Help for Families of Newly Recovering Addicts by Beverly Conyers, donated by the Hazelden Foundation.

[The Fine Print: Your name will not appear in print along with your question. Questions may be edited by our staff for clarity.]

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Recovery Schools

~ By Colette

“Recovery schools” is a term I wasn’t familiar with until working on our April 2011 issue on adolescent substance abuse. At that time, I learned how little research has been completed on teens in recovery and how few supports are available for them. It is an obvious gap in our services for teens.

For youth in select locales across the United States, after completing addiction treatment they are lucky enough to have access to a recovery school. Recovery schools are high schools specifically designed for students recovering from a substance abuse disorder. They are places where students can balance their school with their recovery program. Some recovery schools are stand-alone facilities; many others are located within or near another school.

The need for recovery schools is obvious. Imagine how difficult it would be, after completing a drug treatment program, to head right back to an environment (school) where drugs are very available, drug-talk is common, and your network of substance-abusing friends is welcoming you back. Even the most committed person would struggle with maintaining their recovery in such an environment.

This recent report on the CBS evening news highlights the need for recovery schools.

If you would like to know more about the needs of youth in recovery, I encourage you read our free article on the subject. For more about recovery schools, visit the web site for the Association of Recovery Schools. Additionally, stay tuned to The Prevention Researcher. Our upcoming Resource Issue will focus in the needs of youth in recovery, including an article by Dr. Andrew Finch specifically about recovery schools.

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