Drug Abuse/Addiction

[luvsJack]

Once again I am watching a young couple's relationship disintegrate due to one half of the couple becoming addicted to drugs. It is so, so sad. This beautiful young lady doesn't see what she is doing to herself and those that love her. The things she has done for drugs have made it so that her husband just cannot stand by her.

In this group of 20 young couples (early to late 20's), probably 6-8 have been affected by drug addiction. And there are so many unmarried young men and women that my sons went to school with that are addicted.

Pills, Crystal Meth and worse. And for the ones that are not addicted or abusing something most are taking something to relieve anxiety or anger or a "happy pill" (their words) everyday. I realize that there are many people have a true medical reason for taking Xanax or Zoloft or whatever--but I just don't believe that everyone that sheds a tear or has a moment of fear needs a pill.

I am feel so blessed that both of my young adult sons seem to feel they can deal with problems without a pill and haven't followed the path of some of their peers. But, I don't fool myself into thinking they are immune.


Do others of you see so many drug problems within your area and within the people you know? I mean, we live in a nice area. Most of these 20 somethings are well educated, have good jobs and are building their careers. Most are not someone that you would ever imagine being on drugs. These were not kids that got into trouble at school or had drug problems in thier teens.



What is the problem? Why is it happening so much? What can be done to stop it or prevent in the next age group? How can it be stopped?

 

[tazdev3225]

I don't know what the answer is. My kids went to 3 viewings and heard about a couple more deaths of friends to drugs in one year. I went to one of the funerals because the boys sister is like a DD to me. The boy giving the eulogy, who lost his own brother to an OD, kept asking why and when will our friends learn the lesson from this. I wanted to ask him the same question, he went out and did heroin before the eulogy and was high as a kite.

Part of the problem is a feeling of invincibility. Kids do not think anything can happen to them. They do not realize that some drugs are so addictive that one use and you are hooked. I took an addiction studies class and many of my classmates were recovering addicts. This was a common response, "I didn't think it could happen to me". Some people have a predisposition to addiction genetically. I know not many people believe this but it has been proven.

I think part of the problem is that our society today requires 2 parents to work to survive. The family unit is fractured with so many single parents. There are so many hours in a day and many kids are left to their own devices after school and during the summer so that it is easy to drift into drugs. I am not saying that these parents are neglectful but this is their reality. This is my opinion based on my classes and discussions with my kids and their friends. Drugs are easy to obtain and CHEAP the first few times you are addicted.

I am thankful that I have three clean and sober kids as they had opportunities and addictions run in both sides of our families.

 

[Hannathy]

What is the problem? Why is it happening so much? What can be done to stop it or prevent in the next age group? How can it be stopped?

My Opinion:

We need to stop trying to make their childhoods without any bumps or unhappiness. The helicopter parents and over protectiveness has to stop. we have to let then have some independence. We need to let them grow up.

My goodness suzy can never loose a game, or not get a ribbon. Jimmy can't ever not make a team, they are all no cut teams, Honor rolls can't be posted cause the C students feelings may get hurt. They can't wait at the bus stop alone or walk the 3 blocks to school in a perfectly safe neighborhood, or heck they can't even walk into the school alone from the car after they have been dropped off in front! They can't play on their own unless Mommy has organized the time and is standing in the yard watching. They can't ride their bikes. They can't fall down and get a bump or bruise cause mommy has enough pads on them to play professional football.

They aren't even allowed to have the satisfaction of going into the bathroom alone, or the feeling of independence, Johnny has to go in with Mommy until he is 12!

They can't go to Disney and get on any ride they see and are tall enough and find out on their own if they like it or not- Mommy has to pre-select all their rides in case Suzie may get frightened, oh my. Never mind that if Suzie is afraid but does it she has learned on her own what rides she likes and doesn't AND most importantly has the pride to say I was afraid BUT I DID IT!

They aren't allowed to solve any problems on their own because when they are little and should be learning how, helicopter parent prevents any problems from ever happening and as they grow Mommy or Daddy still steps in and deals with High School or Work problems.

So of course when they finally do get out on their own and find out they have been living in a bubble and not everyone makes the team and your boss really doesn't care about your feelings getting hurt they have no coping skills to fall back on because they were never allowed to "not be happy"
So they have to turn to a substitute a pill a drug.

That is my opinion of the subject and unless some of the current over protectiveness stops it is going to get worse.

 

[Nik's Mom]

My Opinion:

We need to stop trying to make their childhoods without any bumps or unhappiness. The helicopter parents and over protectiveness has to stop. we have to let then have some independence. We need to let them grow up.

My goodness suzy can never loose a game, or not get a ribbon. Jimmy can't ever not make a team, they are all no cut teams, Honor rolls can't be posted cause the C students feelings may get hurt. They can't wait at the bus stop alone or walk the 3 blocks to school in a perfectly safe neighborhood, or heck they can't even walk into the school alone from the car after they have been dropped off in front! They can't play on their own unless Mommy has organized the time and is standing in the yard watching. They can't ride their bikes. They can't fall down and get a bump or bruise cause mommy has enough pads on them to play professional football.

They aren't even allowed to have the satisfaction of going into the bathroom alone, or the feeling of independence, Johnny has to go in with Mommy until he is 12!

They can't go to Disney and get on any ride they see and are tall enough and find out on their own if they like it or not- Mommy has to pre-select all their rides in case Suzie may get frightened, oh my. Never mind that if Suzie is afraid but does it she has learned on her own what rides she likes and doesn't AND most importantly has the pride to say I was afraid BUT I DID IT!

They aren't allowed to solve any problems on their own because when they are little and should be learning how, helicopter parent prevents any problems from ever happening and as they grow Mommy or Daddy still steps in and deals with High School or Work problems.

So of course when they finally do get out on their own and find out they have been living in a bubble and not everyone makes the team and your boss really doesn't care about your feelings getting hurt they have no coping skills to fall back on because they were never allowed to "not be happy"
So they have to turn to a substitute a pill a drug.

That is my opinion of the subject and unless some of the current over protectiveness stops it is going to get worse.

You have some very good points. And it doesn't help that there are a lot of doctors who want to push medication. All of those medications for ADD are highly addictive, for example. I know that those medications are important for kids while they are in school, but at some point, they have to stop taking them. My own son has to take them to stay focused in school, but I worry about the future.

On the other hand, drug and alcohol addiction has been a problem in our society for as long as I can remember. I'm 40 and I can remember people having drug and alcohol problems when I was a kid.

 

[J/T Gramdma]

I agree 100% with Hannathy. I see it every day with the kids in my safe neighborhood,church and schools. Any time you interact with children a lot of parents are there to make sure you do nothing to upset their 'little darling'.

 

[C.Ann]

I have to share my thoughts on just the part of your post where you mentioned anti-anxiety medications, Zoloft (and other antidepressants), etc..

It seems to me - with women in particular - if you go to the doctor with "XYZ" complaints and they can't find an immediate cause, it's labled "depression" - and wham - you're on medications.. So many things can go wrong in ones body that could cause many of the symptoms that might "appear" to be depression, but they don't want to take the time to explore other options..

I'm not saying that people should "never" take them, but before they are prescribed I think the doctors should do a much more thorough job of exploring other possibilities - actual "physical' issues..

Just my opinion though..

As for the other addictions you mentioned, it's just sad.. I think too many kids today are raised without any "coping" skills and are under the impression that life is supposed to be a bed of roses.. My dad always used to tell me:

"The first hundred years are the hardest.. After that it's all down hill.. Life is NOT meant to be a bowl of cherries.."

 

[luvsJack]

I have been away from the computer most of the weekend but wanted to come back and respond.

I think that all of you have very valid points.

I haven't seen it yet with dd's age group but when my sons were her age there were so many "thrown away" kids in thier classes. Kids that parents just more or less left to raise themselves. No direction, no discipline. The family unit is so important! Its just so sad that it has deterioated so much. I know I am fortuante in having a job that makes it possible to be with dd within just a few minutes of her getting home from school. Our society so needs to bring the importance of family back to the forefront-above business, jobs, money, etc.

I also agree with the point that its easier to take a pill than to deal with problems. Dd and I had a long, long talk about that yesterday. I imagine we will be having many, many talks about this over the next few months.

If they feel they need to prescribe something for depression or anxiety, why are they not also prescribing counceling? The young woman in my OP is a case in point, she is incapable of dealing with problems. She holds things in and is still hurt and angry over things that happened years ago.

Sadly, as the truth has come out to her family; she has been on heroin for many months (if not longer). And as of right now she is refusing rehab, saying that she can deal with this herself. She is trying to still keep up apperances to those that do not know the problems and is putting that ahead of her treatement and her family. I just don't know what will happen.

 

[Mimi1965]

So sad

We have seen a downward spiral of a 60 year old for several years due to pain killer addition and overuse. These last couple weeks have been a nightmare-and the saddest thing is his Mother is still alive and it is beyond upsetting to her.

 

[NHdisneylover]

My Opinion:

We need to stop trying to make their childhoods without any bumps or unhappiness. The helicopter parents and over protectiveness has to stop. we have to let then have some independence. We need to let them grow up.

My goodness suzy can never loose a game, or not get a ribbon. Jimmy can't ever not make a team, they are all no cut teams, Honor rolls can't be posted cause the C students feelings may get hurt. They can't wait at the bus stop alone or walk the 3 blocks to school in a perfectly safe neighborhood, or heck they can't even walk into the school alone from the car after they have been dropped off in front! They can't play on their own unless Mommy has organized the time and is standing in the yard watching. They can't ride their bikes. They can't fall down and get a bump or bruise cause mommy has enough pads on them to play professional football.

They aren't even allowed to have the satisfaction of going into the bathroom alone, or the feeling of independence, Johnny has to go in with Mommy until he is 12!

They can't go to Disney and get on any ride they see and are tall enough and find out on their own if they like it or not- Mommy has to pre-select all their rides in case Suzie may get frightened, oh my. Never mind that if Suzie is afraid but does it she has learned on her own what rides she likes and doesn't AND most importantly has the pride to say I was afraid BUT I DID IT!

They aren't allowed to solve any problems on their own because when they are little and should be learning how, helicopter parent prevents any problems from ever happening and as they grow Mommy or Daddy still steps in and deals with High School or Work problems.

So of course when they finally do get out on their own and find out they have been living in a bubble and not everyone makes the team and your boss really doesn't care about your feelings getting hurt they have no coping skills to fall back on because they were never allowed to "not be happy"
So they have to turn to a substitute a pill a drug.

That is my opinion of the subject and unless some of the current over protectiveness stops it is going to get worse.

I think this is a lot of the issue. Just as there is a window of time to learn language (like the few cases of someone found who was not exposed to ANY languages in their early years never being able to speak well) and most fine motor skills, I think there is a window of time to learn coping skills and when we delay teaching these the window closes and they cannot be learned as well.

I have to share my thoughts on just the part of your post where you mentioned anti-anxiety medications, Zoloft (and other antidepressants), etc..

It seems to me - with women in particular - if you go to the doctor with "XYZ" complaints and they can't find an immediate cause, it's labled "depression" - and wham - you're on medications.. So many things can go wrong in ones body that could cause many of the symptoms that might "appear" to be depression, but they don't want to take the time to explore other options..

I'm not saying that people should "never" take them, but before they are prescribed I think the doctors should do a much more thorough job of exploring other possibilities - actual "physical' issues..

Just my opinion though..

As for the other addictions you mentioned, it's just sad.. I think too many kids today are raised without any "coping" skills and are under the impression that life is supposed to be a bed of roses.. My dad always used to tell me:

"The first hundred years are the hardest.. After that it's all down hill.. Life is NOT meant to be a bowl of cherries.."

I also very much agree with this. In my own case, I endured 7 years of doctors doing either no test or a handful of only the most routine blood tests and then telling me all my symptoms were "just anxiety" and offering to prescribe something if I wanted. I think there were 6 doctors in three sates over that time period. I finally had a doctor who said he wanted to check out everything before saying anxiety. A week later, after he checked B-12 levels in the blood work I had a diagnosis which explained ALL of my symptoms and within a month I was feeling better. I know far too many women who have had similar experiences.

 

[EMom]

You have some very good points. And it doesn't help that there are a lot of doctors who want to push medication. All of those medications for ADD are highly addictive, for example. I know that those medications are important for kids while they are in school, but at some point, they have to stop taking them. My own son has to take them to stay focused in school, but I worry about the future.

On the other hand, drug and alcohol addiction has been a problem in our society for as long as I can remember. I'm 40 and I can remember people having drug and alcohol problems when I was a kid.

I don't have time to go into details, because munchkin has to get to school, but it's not just young adults. I do think they are more vulnerable, having not learned as many coping skills, but it happens to older adults as well.

Right now, we're on the outside looking in with a couple in which we have more than a hunch that the woman is addicted to prescription meds. The male of the couple, becomes upset when this possibility is mentioned (not with us....we haven't said anything....medical professionals said it) and says something along the lines of, "A doctor prescribed those meds. She's not doctor shopping for pills."

I pointed out to DH that a doctor may have very well prescribed the meds for whatever ailed her (not the best choice of meds, IMHO) but that does not mean she couldn't be addicted. Plenty of people get addicted to legitimately prescribed meds. They don't intend to, but they do. And she shows more than a couple of signs.

Sadly, even if it's true, I don't think he'll ever see it. There's a history of....how do I put this?.......When anyone says something negative about her, it winds up backfiring and the one who said something about her is the one who gets shut out, while she gets closer to him than ever. She looks like the victim of people out to get her, and he becomes more isolated. So really, we know we cannot say a word. One, he won't see the problem. Two, if we say anything, we'll lose him. At some point it will be down to "him and her against the world."

 

[mhsjax]

I don't have time to go into details, because munchkin has to get to school, but it's not just young adults. I do think they are more vulnerable, having not learned as many coping skills, but it happens to older adults as well.

Right now, we're on the outside looking in with a couple in which we have more than a hunch that the woman is addicted to prescription meds. The male of the couple, becomes upset when this possibility is mentioned (not with us....we haven't said anything....medical professionals said it) and says something along the lines of, "A doctor prescribed those meds. She's not doctor shopping for pills."

I pointed out to DH that a doctor may have very well prescribed the meds for whatever ailed her (not the best choice of meds, IMHO) but that does not mean she couldn't be addicted. Plenty of people get addicted to legitimately prescribed meds. They don't intend to, but they do. And she shows more than a couple of signs.

Sadly, even if it's true, I don't think he'll ever see it. There's a history of....how do I put this?.......When anyone says something negative about her, it winds up backfiring and the one who said something about her is the one who gets shut out, while she gets closer to him than ever. She looks like the victim of people out to get her, and he becomes more isolated. So really, we know we cannot say a word. One, he won't see the problem. Two, if we say anything, we'll lose him. At some point it will be down to "him and her against the world."

People sure can get addicted to drugs that are prescribed, as you said. I had surg and the Dr gave me pain meds. I realized that I liked the feeling it gave me, and I stopped using them. I have never been addicted to anything, I don't even drink, and I wasn't about to start down that path.

As far as Zoloft, I was on it, but after hubby losing his job , then a heart attack, both parents dying within 1 year of each other and a possible move to 2 different places, I needed something. that was 1.5 years ago, I am now off of the zoloft. I just needed a little temporary help. It was too much at one time.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I just came back to delete my post. I didn't recognize this was a thread about how bad all medication is, my mistake. I know people who think this way and I know enough to leave it alone. Good luck to you.

 

[luvsJack]

I don't have time to go into details, because munchkin has to get to school, but it's not just young adults. I do think they are more vulnerable, having not learned as many coping skills, but it happens to older adults as well.

Right now, we're on the outside looking in with a couple in which we have more than a hunch that the woman is addicted to prescription meds. The male of the couple, becomes upset when this possibility is mentioned (not with us....we haven't said anything....medical professionals said it) and says something along the lines of, "A doctor prescribed those meds. She's not doctor shopping for pills."

I pointed out to DH that a doctor may have very well prescribed the meds for whatever ailed her (not the best choice of meds, IMHO) but that does not mean she couldn't be addicted. Plenty of people get addicted to legitimately prescribed meds. They don't intend to, but they do. And she shows more than a couple of signs.

Sadly, even if it's true, I don't think he'll ever see it. There's a history of....how do I put this?.......When anyone says something negative about her, it winds up backfiring and the one who said something about her is the one who gets shut out, while she gets closer to him than ever. She looks like the victim of people out to get her, and he becomes more isolated. So really, we know we cannot say a word. One, he won't see the problem. Two, if we say anything, we'll lose him. At some point it will be down to "him and her against the world."

That is a bit of the problem in this case. The young lady plays the victim very well and can make not only her husband but most of the people around her feel very sorry for her.

I have a bil that is addicted to pain killers and one of ds's closest friends (well former friend at this point) is addicted to Zoloft and Loritab.

My bil was given pain killers for a legitimate injury over 20 years ago, now he takes pain meds when he can get them and whatever pills he can scrounge up, purchase or whatever. He has ruined his marriage and has no relationship with his children. His father died from pain meds and alcohol and it looks like he will do the same thing.

DS's friend was prescribed Zoloft for anxiety and has never quit taking them; he has been in rehab several times but never really stops. The last we heard his pill addiction had morphed over to crystal meth.

It is so sad to see a life just thrown away.

There was a young lady in our area that died recently. It was never made clear what killed her but she was taking Adderall. She had both regular Adderall and Adderall XD in her possession when she died and was reportedly taking them to lose weight. Sad, sad, sad. Both were in prescription bottles from a pharamcy with her name on them so both had been prescribed to her.

 

[luvsJack]

There is a pretty hefty jump from Xanax to Heroin. I don't think normal everyday people from stable environments just wake up and find themselves hooked on Heroin of Crystal Meth because it's a natural progression and that this stuff is a collection of gateway drugs.

There is a whole lot more to street drug use than what's been mentioned. Many prescription meds have legitimate uses that make life livable for many many people and their use does not indicate addiction. To say so is just flat out mind bogglingly ridiculous.

I need my migraine pain killers, not because I like the way they make me feel but because I have a peculiar fondness for sitting upright, having the capacity for speech and being able to walk. I've been on this medicine for 20 years and can go days without it with no hint of desire for it. I do not drink, do not experiment with other stuff and have never thought about looking for a high of any kind ever. It's just not me so lumping everyone who does require medicine that SOME use illicitly into the same bundle is just flat out wrong. Worse, you are actually crossing over into being hurtful

It all would depend on your reasons for taking the meds in the first place.

There are many legitimate reasons for taking Xanax, Zoloft, pain meds, etc. etc. etc. My mother has to take an anti-anxiety med (not one listed, I am not sure of the name) because she has true anxiety attacks. I have taken Xanax for the anxiety I experienced trying to quit smoking (only took it for a month or so).

You take pain meds for a legitimate reason. But there are thousands of people who do not and they never stop taking them. My bil went from taking prescription pain meds to taken whatever pill he can get. Most doctors around here have him red flaged and will not prescribe meds for him so he buys whatever he can.

I really don't think anyone was saying that EVERYONE who takes these meds is addicted or will go on to other drugs, but the possiblity is always there and in a responsible person something that is monitored.

For way too many people a pill is being used as the ONLY coping mechanisim. When the pill doesn't help, then many may try self-medicating.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I just came back to delete my post. I didn't recognize this was a thread about how bad all medication is, my mistake. I know people who think this way and I know enough to leave it alone. Good luck to you.

I didn't read your original post, so I'm not sure what you said. But I believe medication can be a life saver or can improve the life of a lot of people. Like I mentioned with my ds. He needs his medication or he would be bouncing off the walls and not be able to stay in school.

But the bad thing is that I know how addictive that medication can be. It is definitely something that I think about. And at the same time, I can tell you that some doctors are too quick to push for medications. I have a special needs child and I see it all of the time when dealing with therapists.

 

[EMom]

I just came back to delete my post. I didn't recognize this was a thread about how bad all medication is, my mistake. I know people who think this way and I know enough to leave it alone. Good luck to you.

I don't think all meds are bad.....Not by a long shot. I take pain meds for a chronic condition that has already resulted in 4 surgeries, with a 5th any time I get the nerve to schedule it. I don't take them as often as the pain warrants, because I'd be impaired too much of the time. I don't mean I'd be stumbling around stoned or anything, but I drive my DD around a lot and I'm not going to be taking pain pills while doing that. So I skip them quite often even when in pain. I've suffered from migraines for as long as I can remember and in the middle of one of those, I'd make a deal with the devil to get rid of it. As for anti-anxiety or depression meds.....I have no issues with those. If a person needs them, take them.

The point I was trying to make is that while there are some pill factory doctors, you also find plenty of legitimate doctors prescribing meds for legitimate reasons to people who truly need them.......and some of those people will wind up addicted. Yet there is a belief (as seen in the man I was referencing) that if "a doctor prescribed them for a legitimate medical need" then the allegation that the patient could possibly be addicted is ludicrous. Well, it isn't. Some of those meds are highly addictive and some people are more easily addicted than others. They are simply more susceptible. You could take two people with the same condition on the same meds for the same initial length of time and one will quit easily, while the other will be addicted by the end of the course of meds.

And addicts (no matter how they came to be addicts) are often great at playing the victim to elicit sympathy........And to draw in enablers.

I, for one, am not saying all meds are bad. Lord knows, I take enough of them between all the crap I have. I am saying, people need to be careful and be aware that even legitimately prescribed drugs can cause addiction.

 

[C.Ann]

As far as Zoloft, I was on it, but after hubby losing his job , then a heart attack, both parents dying within 1 year of each other and a possible move to 2 different places, I needed something. that was 1.5 years ago, I am now off of the zoloft. I just needed a little temporary help. It was too much at one time.

I certainly hope you didn't think that I was saying a person such as yourself should not have taken a needed medication.. I've been on antidepressants twice in my life myself.. I was addressing the fact that there are doctors who prescribe them - let's say, if you go in complaining of "fatigue and aching joints".. They run a test or two and if nothing jumps right out at them, they tell you you're depressed and want to put you on an antidepressant.. Know what I mean? Sounds to me like you were clinically depressed and absolutely did need that medication at that time..

It all would depend on your reasons for taking the meds in the first place.

There are many legitimate reasons for taking Xanax, Zoloft, pain meds, etc. etc. etc. My mother has to take an anti-anxiety med (not one listed, I am not sure of the name) because she has true anxiety attacks. I have taken Xanax for the anxiety I experienced trying to quit smoking (only took it for a month or so).

I really don't think anyone was saying that EVERYONE who takes these meds is addicted or will go on to other drugs, but the possiblity is always there and in a responsible person something that is monitored.

For way too many people a pill is being used as the ONLY coping mechanisim. When the pill doesn't help, then many may try self-medicating.

Agreed.. Proper diagnosis first - then whatever is deemed necessary - and monitored frequently..

 

[mhsjax]

I certainly hope you didn't think that I was saying a person such as yourself should not have taken a needed medication.. I've been on antidepressants twice in my life myself.. I was addressing the fact that there are doctors who prescribe them - let's say, if you go in complaining of "fatigue and aching joints".. They run a test or two and if nothing jumps right out at them, they tell you you're depressed and want to put you on an antidepressant.. Know what I mean? Sounds to me like you were clinically depressed and absolutely did need that medication at that time..



Agreed.. Proper diagnosis first - then whatever is deemed necessary - and monitored frequently..

Oh my no. I didn't think that. And I do agree with you, seems everyone is one something these days. I just can't believe that I had to go on medication, even if for a short time. But one day when I just lost control after everything had happened, I had a pretty good idea. I am not a very emotional person. And when I started running out, I weaned myself off of them, I hate being on meds. Even my pediatrician said that more kids are on Zoloft and other anti depressant drugs that they have ever seen. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

 

[Disney Doll]

My Opinion:

We need to stop trying to make their childhoods without any bumps or unhappiness. The helicopter parents and over protectiveness has to stop. we have to let then have some independence. We need to let them grow up.

My goodness suzy can never loose a game, or not get a ribbon. Jimmy can't ever not make a team, they are all no cut teams, Honor rolls can't be posted cause the C students feelings may get hurt. They can't wait at the bus stop alone or walk the 3 blocks to school in a perfectly safe neighborhood, or heck they can't even walk into the school alone from the car after they have been dropped off in front! They can't play on their own unless Mommy has organized the time and is standing in the yard watching. They can't ride their bikes. They can't fall down and get a bump or bruise cause mommy has enough pads on them to play professional football.

They aren't even allowed to have the satisfaction of going into the bathroom alone, or the feeling of independence, Johnny has to go in with Mommy until he is 12!

They can't go to Disney and get on any ride they see and are tall enough and find out on their own if they like it or not- Mommy has to pre-select all their rides in case Suzie may get frightened, oh my. Never mind that if Suzie is afraid but does it she has learned on her own what rides she likes and doesn't AND most importantly has the pride to say I was afraid BUT I DID IT!

They aren't allowed to solve any problems on their own because when they are little and should be learning how, helicopter parent prevents any problems from ever happening and as they grow Mommy or Daddy still steps in and deals with High School or Work problems.

So of course when they finally do get out on their own and find out they have been living in a bubble and not everyone makes the team and your boss really doesn't care about your feelings getting hurt they have no coping skills to fall back on because they were never allowed to "not be happy"
So they have to turn to a substitute a pill a drug.

That is my opinion of the subject and unless some of the current over protectiveness stops it is going to get worse.

I agree with you 1000% !!!!!!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I am another who does not think that no one should ever take drugs for depression/anxiety etc. I simply feel that FAR too often they are prescribed without really ruling out everything else that needs to be ruled out first, without adequate counseling type support (often because insurance won't cover that aspect) and without adequate information being given to the patient. I am certain my views are skewed to the avoidance side as my sister in law has been the last decade or so suing the drug companies when they have not revealed all they know about negative side effects (as much as any one person can be responsible for it I believe she is the reason that many drugs now carry a warning about them causing suicidal tendencies in some teens). Even still, i am not anit drug--just anti jumping to conclusions in medical care.