Show Notes:

 

• Guest Casey Arrillaga shares tips for parents on talking to their teens about drug addiction
  
• Emphasizes importance of being open and honest, while understanding that parents cannot control their child’s behavior
  
• Suggests having a conversation that is realistic, focusing on consequences of drug use instead of exaggerated scare tactics
  
• Advises parents to express their feelings and set healthy, specific boundaries with consequences for breaking them
  
• Suggests recognizing normal development and opening up dialogue with teenagers, rather than trying to scare them into submission
  
• Encourages seeking professional guidance when considering treatment options and understanding addiction vulnerability is partly genetic and partly social and environmental
  
• Risk with weed and alcohol is that teenagers may not think of them as drugs and can easily become addictive
  
• Casey Arrillaga wrote a book called Realistic Hope, which provides families with information on addiction treatment and effective communication
  
• Arrillaga’s podcast, Addiction and the Family, offers support and information for families and people in recovery
  

This episode features an interview with:

 

CASEY ARRILLAGA

Therapist, Speaker, Podcaster, and Author

Casey Arrillaga is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with years of experience in working with people of all kinds who have trouble with using substances or behaviors compulsively, find healing from personality disorders, PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, uncomfortable behaviors, and helping those people and their families heal and grow together. He received his Master of Social Work from Boston University and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Grand Canyon University.

Casey is the author of the book “Realistic Hope: The Family Survival Guide for Facing Alcoholism and Other Addictions” and co-hosts the podcast “Addiction and the Family”.

Casey works as a therapist at both Windmill Wellness Ranch, in Canyon Lake, TX, a treatment center for addiction and mental health, and InMindOut Emotional Wellness Center, based in New Braunfels, TX, where he does outpatient therapy.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

addictionandthefamily@gmail.com

Recovery Tree Media

Addiction and the Family (fireside.fm)

Addiction and the Family Podcast (@AddictionFamily) / Twitter

Addiction and the Family | Facebook

Signs of Drug Use Map: How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Teen Drug Abuse

Our Signs of Drug Use Map is a helpful tool for parents who suspect that their teen may be using drugs. This map highlights the common physical, emotional, and behavioral signs of drug use, helping parents recognize the warning signs and take action.

download it here