Rev. Christopher Smith
Expert in Alcoholism & Addiction Prevention · 4 more topics
Answered questions(5)
ADHD and Addictions
My 19 year old son has ADHD and he is a high school drop-out who is only finally now doing reasonably well working as a mountain bike guide?/instructor and bike mechanic. He was never able to really handle school and I am just so relieved that he found a way to take his passion for biking and turn that into reasonably good paying employment. He is very good at what he does. He has been working full time at the shop for more than a year and he just left home to live with a couple of friends last month. I do not know exactly what is going on but my daughter, who is not one to tattle, came to me today and told me that she say James and his friends using cocaine at his apartment and when she confronted him he said that it wasn’t a big deal and that he had only done it a couple of times. I am very scared by this news and I know that his ADHD puts him at a hugely increased risk to have a problem, especially with drugs like cocaine. I do not think he has a problem yet but I want to make sure that he never does get one. I am still helping him financially and we have a good loving relationship, so I think I can ask/demand that he participate in some kind of addiction prevention program. But I am not sure what kind of program is available. Is there some kind of prevention for young adults program available? I do not think he needs like an addiction program yet, but I want to make sure he never does.
Read answer →Substance Abuse Education for Youth
I am a scout leader working young teenage boys. Several of the parents have approached me and asked me to add a substance abuse prevention component to our curriculum. Drugs and alcohol are issues in our community. I am not sure whether or not I am an appropriate person to do this but I would like to help if I could. Do you know of any programs that would be suitable for my situation. Ideally I’d like something that I could cover in about 15 minutes, once a week, over 20 or 30 weeks. I would be very appreciative of any direction you could provide. R. Miller.
Read answer →Explaining Alcoholism to Children
Dear Friend, I am a psychotherapist in South Jersey. Two years ago one of my clients in recovery struggled with how to explain alcoholism to his young daughter. He was concerned that she would hear from neighbors and family members that Daddy was a "drunk". After an unsuccessful search for the perfect children's book to help him and his daughter he asked me to write one. "Daddy's Disease" is the result. “Tommy doesn’t know why his father doesn’t show up for dinners, or soccer games or why he acts funny sometimes. Tommy thinks it’s because his father doesn’t want to be with him, that he hasn’t been the best boy he can be, that he should try harder. But, Mommy tells Tommy that Daddy has a disease called “alcoholism”. She helps Tommy, and his faithful dog Murphy, understand what this disease is and how it affects Daddy, and the whole family. She teaches Tommy that he is not responsible for Daddy’s behavior and that gives Tommy the peace he needs to foster a healthy childhood.” In an easily understood, beautifully illustrated style, "Daddy's Disease" helps families to navigate the difficult waters of alcoholism. It is my hope that you will consider making this information available for the many children and adults who have been struggling with this devastating disease. Please feel free to contact me at 856-296-3775 with any questions. I thank you for your time and consideration and for all the good work you do. Best, Carolyn Hannan Bell - www.alcoholismhurtskids.com
Read answer →Is it okay to just try marijuana?
Hi. I am a 22 year old college graduate. Unlike every other person I know, I have never smoked marijuana or done any drug at all. This is always shocking to people when I tell them. I don’t know why now but I am curious to try marijuana. I am a social drinker but I don’t have any over drinking issues (like a lot of my friends do). Realistically, is there any reason why I should not try this?
Read answer →Helping Children Understand Alcoholism
I am an alcoholic but I haven’t had a drink in 14 years. My dad died when I was a boy. He was an alcoholic and my uncle was a drunk who died young also…so as a family we have a pretty strong alcoholic pedigree. The problem is my son, who is now 16, never saw any of it. He was too young to remember when I was drinking and he never knew his granddad or great uncle. So he doesn’t know the horror of it and now he is drinking with his friends. I try to warn him about his risk but he doesn’t seem to listen or it doesn’t sink in. I took him to an open AA meeting but he laughed it off. It is so frustrating to watch this slow motion disaster happening. How do I get him to see that he is going to become a drunk if he doesn’t stop what he is doing?
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