Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Understanding Substance Abuse

Every day it seems we are seeing this celebrity or that one getting into trouble and going into rehab. Why is it that these people, who seem to have everything they could ever want, always seem to mess up their lives? Luckily, my kids don't really look up to these celebrities and think that all that partying, drinking, and drug use is cool. Does that mean we will never have to deal with issues like these? No, but I'm really hoping that we don't. I don't know how to deal with stuff like that.

What I do know is that there are resources if we ever have to find out about substance abuse self help. Meek Publishing is committed to helping families improve their lives. That's why they offer books that deal with drug abuse and alcohol abuse issues, and offer solutions and hope. The featured books (available as books, e-books, and audiobooks) are Beyond the Yellow Brick Road and Bumper Stickers by Bob Meehan. Here's the description of the book Beyond the Yellow Brick Road:
Beyond the Yellow Brick Road - E-Book

ISBN 978-0-9702327-4-8 (eBook Download)

The newly revised version of Bob Meehan's classic is NOW AVAILABLE as an eBook PDF download.

The books combines the easy-to-read style of a born counselor with the street-level insights of a man who knows where he came from -- and where teenagers might contemplate going. In clear and direct language he talks to parents about what their kids are thinking; what parents can do to help the family get through the most difficult times when a child is using, whether experimentally or regularly; and, most importantly, why their kids try drugs in the first place. Never accusatory in tone, but never allowing any of us -- parents or teens -- to forget our responsibilities to ourselves and our families, Beyond the Yellow Brick Road presents a hands-on approach to drug intervention and rehabilitation which parents will find a comprehensive resource for raising kids in a hard world.
The part that really interests me is learning why kids try drugs in the first place. I always have this feeling that if I can just understand why something is the way it is, then I can fix it. Not always true, but take a sneak peak and read the first chapter of the book at the Meek Publishing website. I did. It gives a good understanding of where Bob Meehan came from, and when he says, "If someone you love is on drugs, I am confident that my book will give you a deeper understanding of why he or she takes drugs, of how your own attitudes may have influenced your drug-abusing loved one, and what you can do to induce change in that person’s life," I believe him.