Question: Hello Dr. Strawbridge, As of September 2012 I will start taking classes in the field of Alcoholism and Drug abuse counseling. Can you tell me in what area there is the most need and demand; either in the field of prevention or cure? Also, how is the field of drug and alcoholism prevention utilized?

Dr. James Strawbridge Says...:

Over
the years, a number of approaches have been used in the field of prevention. These include the community, schools,
the individual, the family, and peer groups. My response will focus on the
community and schools. 

COMMUNITY FOCUS 

Programs that focus on
the community address one or more of the following factors:

Availability. Most community-based
programs attempt to reduce the availability of drugs; raising the drinking age
to 21 years is an example of the principle. 

Social
climate. This concept is based on the assumption that drug abuse arises out
of environmental factors. These programs include increased law-enforcement efforts,
strong school prevention programs, concerned parent groups, and antidrug editorials
in the local papers 

Social bonding. This
concept is based on the assumptions that drug abuse from some young people’s
failure to bond to social institutions and to their norms. Programs with this
focus provide young people with opportunities to make positive contributions to
the community and to develop positive social bonds as a result. They involve
young people in community service programs such as historical restorations,
programs for the elderly, and youth job services. 

SCHOOL FOCUS

Programs
that focus on schools address the following two factors: 

Deterrence. Deterrence-based programs emphasize the importance of
consistently enforcing school drug policies. They advocate a drug-free policy. 

Lack of knowledge. This concept is based
on the assumption that young people use drugs because they are unaware of the
medical, psychological, and social hazards of drug abuse. These programs
attempt to mold attitudes and beliefs that do not support drug abuse.

Question: My wife and I both come from families that with a lot of addiction and alcoholism. Neither she nor I drink alcohol or do drugs because of what we saw growing up. We now have 2 young children and the oldest one is about ready to start pre-kindergarten. My wife was a legal assistant prior to taking maternity leave and eventually taking a few years of to be with the kids while they were very young. Money is tight for us and now that the kids are approaching school age we are discussing when, or if, she should go back to work. If she did, the kids would obviously spend a good part of the day at school and in daycare. I am concerned and have read that when children begin spending a lot of time without their parents they become more socialized by their peers, rather than mentored by an adult. In a daycare situation, there are obviously adults present, but the level of supervision does not equal that found in a family home. I have read that children in such situations grow up to be more susceptible to things like addiction and to other behavioral problems. I realize that without really knowing our situation it is difficult for you to comment on our particulars, but in general, would you say that there is any truth that having one parent remain in the home as a stay-at-home parent offers any long term protection against the problems that kids can run into when they become teenagers, like drinking, and drug use and promiscuity and criminal acts etc.? Although money would be tight if my wife or I chose to stay home, money is not the only or most important thing for us.

Dr. James Strawbridge Says...:

Your concerns are important. One particular thought caught my attention: "I am concerned and have read that when children begin spending a lot of time without their parents they become more socialized by their peers, rather than mentored by an adult. In a daycare situation, there are obviously adults present, but the level of supervision does not equal that found in a family home. I have read that children in such situations grow up to be more susceptible to things like addiction and to other behavioral problems."

States often license daycare and local agencies provide occupational
permits. Contact your state and local agencies. Asked questions. 

Re: socialization: This certainly includes day care centers, neighborhoods, peers, mass media, religion with the most important being the family.

How do parents socialize their children? This is done in two ways. The first is teaching through direct instruction reinforced by a combination of rewards and punishments for acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The second is teaching by example. Of the two, the latter is the more important since most complex human behavior is acquired through observation learning. You learned about addictions by watching your parents. You decided from those experiences that this would not be a part of your lives. Children are much more likely to do as a parent does than as a parent says. That is why parents who drink alcohol and abuse alcohol and drugs tend to raise children to do the same. You are the exception. Congratulation!