How To Help Children And Youth Overcome Addictions

To: Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Sex, Sugar, Fats, Carbohydrates, Fast Food, TV, Video, Computer Games And The Internet, Consumerism, Collecting Stuff, Looking Good, Looking Like A Particular Social Group

There are many kinds of addictions, many levels of intensity and risk, and many causes. It is essential to seek medical care as soon as possible. There are some children & youth who may get some relief from the practices below when they are used in conjunction with western medical care. Try any of these practices only with the cooperation of your child or youth’s primary physician. Addictions are often children’s & youth’s easiest choice to make themselves feel better in the face of their pain and suffering. Addiction can be a short-term solution to emotional or physical pain, loneliness, confusion, anger, unhappiness, frustrations, and chaos in their lives, having powerful emotions they are trying to forget or stay away from. Things that become an addiction are often first tried as ways to have social connection with other children & youth who often have the same types of challenges. Addictions are a substitute for being able to grow up easier and cope with unhappiness, depression, boredom, pain, confusion, anxiety and powerlessness. Children & youth are the ones who suffer the most from ineffective and dysfunctional ancestral and family patterns. Addictions can be viewed as a strong sign of the child or youth losing connection with their nature or soul. Addictions can also be a sign that they feel unimportant to life. Addictions can also give children & youth temporary relief from the effects of nutritional imbalances which can cause painful emotional, psychological, or physical challenges. Addictions can cover emotional and/or physical discomfort caused by unhealed accidents, traumas and abuses of all kinds. Addictions are often associated with covering up a lack of communication skills. All addictions can be a major waste of time/life and a loss of learning valuable skills needed for adult success.

Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Sex:

Alone or together addiction to any of these can damage the body, mind, emotions in childhood and into adulthood. They can lead to life-threatening diseases. Tobacco and alcohol are legally promoted and made socially attractive. Tobacco and alcohol kill more people annually than all other drugs combined. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of teen death. Tobacco is one of the most addictive and harmful of all drugs. Tobacco use can be an entry into addictive patterns. Smoking, drinking, drug taking and compulsive sexual activity are often social experiences that children & youth use to make up for unmet family needs. These addictions can be protection against the feeling of helplessness to make life better. They can also be due to a combination of: coping with painful life experiences; abuses of all kinds; family patterns; social isolation; lack of communication skills; genetic factors; exposure to environmental pollutants; nutritional imbalances and physical discomforts.

Sugar, Fats, Carbohydrates, Fast Food:

This can be a major challenge for emotional balance, memory, ability to concentrate, and meeting the nutritional needs of growing. These foods can lead to hyperactivity, irritability, laziness, impulsivity and other serious behavior challenges. They can lead to a number of serious conditions including: obesity, diabetes, heart disease. They can be a sign of a number of physical and emotional difficulties. These addictions can be due to a combination of: prolonged stress; environmental pollutants; family patterns; nutritional imbalances.

TV, Internet, Video and Computer Games:

This addiction is slightly less destructive than other forms of addictions. It can also cover up and help children & youth avoid feelings of depression, boredom, pain, confusion and anxiety. These addictions are also major losses of time that could be spent learning, accomplishing skills, playing, which help children & youth build confidence and learn valuable social and thinking skills needed for adult life. These addictions can be due to a combination of: low self-confidence; hopelessness; depression or other mental illnesses; boredom; feeling powerless; feeling disconnected socially; exposure to environmental pollutants; nutrition imbalances; hyperactivity.

Consumerism, Collecting Stuff, Looking Good, Looking Like a Particular Social Group:

Attachment to things, appearances, looking good, are often cover ups and substitutes for challenges with confidence, self-esteem and friendships. They are substitutes for ability, skill and accomplishment. These addictions can be complicated by media advertising, which tries to create dissatisfaction and shame about appearance, social class and not having stuff. Often this addiction can also be due to parental and/or societal examples. It is necessary for children and teens to love themselves for who they are without all the stuff and particular appearances.

First, We Would Investigate	Second, We Would Investigate	For Long Term Support We Would Investigate
Psychotherapy Nonviolent Communication Attitudinal Healing Wilderness Therapy Expressive Arts Yoga Aikido Aromatherapy Ayurveda Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbology Flower Essences Biofeedback EMDR Hypnotherapy Flower Essences Nutrition Consulting Support For Parents Independent Study	Light Therapy Massage Drumming Music Lessons Craniosacral	Nonviolent Communication Psychotherapy Support For Parents Aromatherapy Ayurveda Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbology Flower Essences Yoga Aikido Massage EMDR Hypnotherapy Wilderness Therapy Independent Study

On Our Own We Would Try: • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Long Walks/Hikes • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Wholesome Pleasures • Back Rubs and Foot Massages • Nature • Pets • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games

For Parents: • First begin by taking good care of yourself as a caregiver. Get help for your own addictive patterns. 12 step programs for yourself and your child or youth can help. Your example can create a safe container for your child or youth. • Engage the child or youth in regular, fun, physical activity. Go on hikes or backpacking trips in the wildest countryside you can manage. • Learn and eat what is nutritious, avoiding processed food. • Empathize with your own suffering and also the suffering of your child or youth. • Compassion and empathy are powerful healing tools. • Say what you mean and mean what you say and do what you say you are going to do. • Tolerate only what you say you are going to tolerate.

Check out: www.MedLinePlus.gov; www.KidsHealth.org; www.traumasoma.com/index.shtml (very technical); www.acestudy.org.