Eyes Wide Open: Spotting The Signs Of Substance Use

Awkward Conversations

Today’s awkward conversation is a revisit from last season, which is knowing the signs of possible drug use and what to do. Our host, Jodie Sweetin is joined by Timothy P. McMahon who has been employed by the DEA since 1998 and Amy McCarthy, Clinical Social Worker at Boston Children's Hospital. Special Agent McMahon shares common ways that kids hide drugs in plain sight and what signs to look for with changes to personality, involvement, or money use. They also share tips on how to talk to your child about drugs and how to respond with love rather than anger if you discover your child is using drugs. This topic can be scary and overwhelming to parents but they need to remember the sooner you address it, the better.

Key Takeaways:

• Teenagers often hide drugs in plain sight. Some places could be behind picture frames on the wall, in a book on their bookshelf, or even in a pop can or tennis ball.

• If you discover that your kids are using drugs, be sure to not respond in anger. Take a step back and collect your thoughts before approaching your child. Rather than lecture them, ask open ended questions and come at if from a place of wanting to understand what’s going on.

• When you find these drugs you need to address the situation as quickly as possible because the situation will only get worse. And with each time that they use or engage in drug use, it can only lead to that much more danger.

BIOS:

Jodie Sweetin is an actress, author, and advocate, best known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on the iconic sitcom "Full House" and its sequel "Fuller House". In 2009 she penned her memoir, "unSweetined", which chronicles her journey through addiction and into recovery. With her frank and open approach, Jodie has emerged as a compelling speaker and advocate who now seeks to use her platform and experiences to educate others and reduce the stigma associated with addiction and recovery.

@jodiesweetin

Amy McCarthy, LICSW, is a Director of Clinical Social Work at Boston Children's Hospital’s Division of Addiction Medicine. She has been working in the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program since 2019

@amymccarthylicsw

Special Agent Timothy P. McMahon has been employed by the Drug Enforcement Administration since October 1998 and has been assigned to DEA’s New Jersey Division. Prior to becoming a Special Agent with the DEA he spent six (6) years as a trooper with the New York State Police from October 1992 thru October 1998. Special Agent McMahon has been assigned to enforcement and task force groups investigating drug trafficking organizations. He has also served as the Special Agent Recruiter, Demand Reduction Coordinator and Public Information Officer. Special Agent McMahon was recently promoted to Group Supervisor for the Special Support Unit. Supervisory Special Agent McMahon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from St. Bonaventure University.

Elks: As a 150-year-old organization, they are 100% inclusive with a membership of close to 1 million diverse men and women in over 2,000 Lodges nationally, and while they consider themselves faith based, they are nondenominational and open to all creeds. The Elks have always prided themselves on civic duty, and the Elks Drug and Alcohol Prevention (DAP) program is the nation's largest all volunteer Kids Drug & Alcohol Use Prevention program. The Elks are also strong supporters of our brave men and women in the military, having built and donated the nation's first VA Hospital to the U.S. government. The Elks have donated more than $3.6 billion in cash, goods, and services to enrich the lives of millions of people!

DEA: The United States Drug Enforcement Administration was created in 1973 by President Nixon after the government noticed an alarming rise in recreational drug use and drug-related crime. A division of the Department of Justice, DEA enforces controlled substances laws by apprehending offenders to be prosecuted for criminal and civil crimes. DEA is the largest and most effective antidrug organization in the world, with 241 domestic locations in 23 field divisions and 93 international field divisions in 69 countries.

Resources/Links

Hidden In Plain Sight: Interactive Drug Education Program: https://bit.ly/44NUbKm

SAMHSA | Help and Treatment: https://bit.ly/3DJcvJC

Get Smart About Drugs: https://bit.ly/45dm8vY

Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent’s Guide to Substance Use Prevention: https://bit.ly/48nxwYw

One Pill Could Kill: https://bit.ly/3ELxfBa

DEA Website: https://bit.ly/44ed9K9

DEA on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3KqL7Uj

DEA on Twitter: https://bit.ly/44VvEUt

DEA on Facebook: https://bit.ly/440b6ZY

DEA YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3s1KQB6

Elks Kid Zone Website: https://bit.ly/3s79Zdt

Elks Drug Awareness Program Website: https://bit.ly/44SunO6

Elks DAP on Twitter: https://bit.ly/45CfpvR

Elks DAP on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Qw8RKL

Elks DAP on YouTube: https://bit.ly/444vMQq

Jodie Sweetin’s Links

Jodie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodiesweetin/

Jodie’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jodiesweetin?lang=en

Amy McCarthy’s Links

Amy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymccarthylicsw/

Boston Children’s Hospital Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonchildrens/?hl=en

Boston Children’s Hospital Addiction Medicine: https://www.childrenshospital.org/departments/addiction-medicine