Hello, hello, Parents of Ubusha. Welcome to the podcast series in which we have a sit down with experts to talk all things adolescents. In this series our experts share reliable, accurate and scientifically-based information in an easy to understand way so you can support your adolescent on their journey to good choices.
In this episode we speak to Dr. Sue Bond from the University of Johannesburg. Dr. Bond holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Her masters looked at couples and families while her D. Litt et Phil focused on the development of possible selves and resilience in young people about to leave residential care (child and youth care centres). Dr. Bond’s current research looks into youth in care, and those transitioning from care. In addition to her research work, Sue has had a long career in child protection providing statutory services, worked in couples and family counselling, adoptions, and in a shelter with abused women and their children. Her commitment to working with families has also been evident in her work in schools, oncology and rehabilitation, as well as managing an inpatient facility for substance abuse.
We would like to thank Dr. Bond for generously sharing insights on adolescents. We hope parents, guardians and community members listening are now better equipped to support them through this crazy thing called life.
If you found this episode worth the listen, do share with everyone you know. You’ll also be pleased to know that a summary version of this episode is available as text on our website along with many other resources.
Until the next episode, happy parenting.
15 Points for Parents*
- Substance use is when you use a prescribed medication or substance for its intended use | Substance misuse refers to the use of prescribed substances in a way that was not intended.
- Addiction alters one’s life to an extent that they cannot manage without the substance, even though it is altering their life negatively.
- Addiction can develop with legal and prescribed substances as well.
- The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) use to have the term substance abuse disorders, this has now become substance misuse disorders.
- The age of first substance use is younger than before.
- Boredom, peer-pressure, lack of adult supervision, permissive parenting and social learning are some of the factors at play with early introduction and first substance use – especially with alcohol and marijuana.
- Poverty has been identified as a push factor – here substances are used as an escape from harsh circumstances.
- Knowing where you child is, who they are with, putting schoolwork first, having set times to come home, having a neighbor watch them when you are not there – these can be useful ways to help limit the opportunities for your child’s exposure to substances.
- Be aware of the warming signs that your child is using – pay attention to physical signs like bloodshot eye, change in peer group, change in body weight and appetite, lack of interest in things they used to love doing, shortness of temper, behavioral signs, jitters etc. Unfortunately some of these changes are common in adolescence, but if these changes are sudden then there might be something to look into.
- Substance misuse affects most relationships within the family – this goes as far as impacting the relationships between the adults themselves, between siblings and parents as well as the misuser and others.
- Alcoholic anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, SANCA as well as other local counseling services often have a support system of parents with a child who is struggling with substance misuse.
- Tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine are the primary substances that impact on sexual and reproductive health choices and behaviors.
- Research shows a strong correlation between the age of early sexual encounter and first substance use – the earlier the use of substances, the earlier the first sexual encounter will likely be.
- Unintended pregnancy, transactional sex, sexual exploitation and inability to negotiate safe sex are some of the risk factors emerging strongly in situations where substance use in involved.
- There are a number of myths about substance abuse and users, including that it is a choice, that it is contagious and that it is a phase.
*This summary is based on an interview with Dr. Bond conducted on May 11th , 2023. The text has been edited, paraphrased and adapted according to length specifications, for increased readability and, for coherence from the original audio-visual recording. Word choice and emphasis is based on the Ubusha Bami team and does not constitute direct quotations from the interviewee. The full audio recording is available on the Ubusha Bami podcast, available on all streaming networks.