Trick or Treat?

By George Young, LCSW

Today is Halloween, and many of our county’s children and youth will be enjoying a healthy and safe festive time. However, as someone who deals with teens and young adults, I know that this holiday unfortunately has become a “trick” and even a horror for too many who end up making poor choices.

Let’s look at the substances (alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, Molly, etc.) used in our society to determine if they provide a “trick or treat.” 

The “treat” effect of the substance is tightly wired into the receptors in our brain and is fairly immediate -- little work or effort is needed, and there is an immediate response in the pleasure center of the brain. However, there are several considerations to pay attention to or you will find the “trick” will be on you. 

As an adolescent and young adult, the brain is still under considerable development, and the introduction of these “treats” may have longer term impact than desired or expected. Statistics indicate that the earlier one uses alcohol or other substances, the greater the chance of predisposing an individual to a substance use disorder. And we know that due to the development stage of the brain, adolescent and young adults have less “braking ability,” resulting in an abuse and binging of substances, frequently bringing about health, safety, legal, school and/or family consequences as a result.

Trick or Treat? 5,000 deaths, 50,000 alcohol-related date rape and 43,000 injuries as a result of another student who has been drinking….? Sobering isn’t it? 

This Halloween and during the upcoming holidays, let’s use some judgment before adding substances to the mix. Let’s work on some fun without adding chemicals to the decision making and possibly altering our futures for a brief “treat.” This decision to not use substances goes well beyond worrying about adding a few calories to the body or not joining in with our peers.

Underage or illegal substance use can impact your future choices (college, military or job acceptance), could lead to a legal record, and place considerable emotional and financial cost to you and your family. This puts it into the “Trick” column for me. 

This year, make a statement in how you celebrate in a positive and successful manner. Be safe. (Check out this Halloween flyer from the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County.)

George Young, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), is a senior clinician for National Counseling Group, Inc., and is vice president of the Board of Directors of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County.

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County is a nonprofit organization with more than 50 community partners working together to keep youth and young adults safe and drug-free. Visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org and www.facebook.com/unifiedpreventioncoalition. Follow the group on Twitter at www.twitter.com/keepyouthsafe