PreventEd partners with families to address substance use with this sponsored post.
Navigating the teen years is always a difficult part of parenthood. But when substances come into play, it can make things even more complicated. Most parents and caregivers don’t know the best steps to take when they realize their child is using substances. What should you do if you find a vape device in your teen’s room, smell cannabis, or find out they were drinking at a social gathering? What can parents do to support their children?
Why Early Intervention Matters
With more teens feeling sad, hopeless, anxious, and depressed, many are turning to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. To effectively support teens struggling with substance misuse, early intervention programs play a critical role.
In St. Louis County, the 2024 Missouri Student Survey found that 7.3% of 12- to 17-year-olds reported using alcohol in the last month. However, instead of punitive reactions to substance misuse, such as jail or expulsion from school, teens benefit greatly from supportive guidance, education, and counseling.
One review found that the most common elements of successful prevention programs included substantial amounts of interaction between instructors and students, learning and practicing social skills to refuse drugs, and engaging with peer leaders. For many students who may be starting to show early signs of substance misuse, a non-punitive and community-based approach is transformative. By helping teens better understand how their choices impact their brains, bodies, and futures, we can help shift the power back into their hands—so they feel empowered with decision-making control and practical knowledge.
GuidEd Offers No-Cost Counseling Services For Teens & Their Caregivers
At PreventEd, we offer GuidEd, a no-cost early intervention option for adolescents from the ages of 12 to 19 years old. Not every teen requires intensive treatment to address problematic substance use, which is why GuidEd is not a treatment program. A combination of Guidance and Education, GuidEd is a nonjudgmental, collaborative program designed to provide a gentle course correction for teens misusing substances. Many St. Louis area school districts use GuidEd as an alternative to severe disciplinary action.
“This program was very helpful,” said the parent of a GuidEd participant. “My son is taking more accountability and responsibility at home. The program classes, plus the time away from school, has made a difference in his attitude.”
Teens and their parents or caregivers will meet with a counselor virtually or in person, complete an assessment, discuss the challenge at hand, and develop a plan that works for the teen and their family.
In many cases, teens fall somewhere in the middle—and then counselors recommend the GuidEd program, which includes:
- Weekly individual and family substance use counseling sessions
- Weekly workshops for teens on topics ranging from addiction to stress management
- Relevant referrals
- Education for caregivers surrounding substance use topics
More than 77% of our participants successfully abstain from substance use throughout their time in the GuidEd program, and 75% continue to abstain six months later. Participation in the program also has an impact on better educational performance and improved relationships with family members, friends, and caregivers.
To get in touch with a counselor or make a referral, click here to fill out the contact form.
Presley Menendez is a Substance Use Counselor for PreventEd in St. Louis. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science and is a Certified Associate Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Ms. Menendez has over 6 years working in social services. As a Counselor, Ms. Menendez works with clients to determine what means of support is most appropriate for their individual circumstances and situation. In addition to this, Presley is also the Associate Director of PreventEd’s early intervention program, GuidEd, which provides a supportive environment for teens and families that enhances motivation to change, helps explore the consequences of substance use and works to develop healthier alternatives.
