Teen Vaping Epidemic
By now it should be no secret that nicotine addiction is sweeping across the nation preying on young people. This post isn’t about the epidemic. You can find plenty of information on the prevalence of teen vaping and the dangers of teen vaping online. We have also written previously about this topic: Ban On E-Cig Sales To Minors, Teen JUULing Con’t and JUULing & Teenage Nicotine Addiction.
Parents Are in Distress
It is no longer uncommon for us to receive calls from parents of teens who vape. They are concerned about the safety and addictiveness. They are reporting changes in teen behavior and declining academic performance. Deceit, defiance and theft are common complaints. Parents are desperate to learn what they can do to help their children. Many parents are seeking advice on how to deal with a child whose dependency on nicotine has caught them all by surprise.
How Can Alpha Help?
My first response is to empathize with the parent and make the offer to sit and talk with the teen about nicotine addiction at no charge. As a Tobacco Treatment Specialist, I will attempt to meet the teen on his/her level to discuss the reasons the parent(s) are so concerned. This conversation will also occur privately, without parents. Information may be better received when delivered by an outsider. Topics will include the physiology of addiction and provide relatable examples of the dangers of vaping. I don’t have teenagers of my own, but I was a teenager at one time, so I try to keep that perspective when talking with teens. That perspective may be something parents have a more difficult time with.
Does Your Child Even Want To Quit?
Most teens who are experimenting with (or who are addicted to) nicotine don’t even want to quit. Quitting smoking (or chewing, vaping or cigars) is complicated enough for an adult with a genuine desire and commitment to quitting. A teen being coerced by a parent is simply not an appropriate use of our program. If I don’t believe someone has the intention of never using nicotine again, I am not comfortable allowing him/her (or the parents, in these cases) to invest in our support.
Quitting Usually Requires Practice
Quitting, on average, requires 6-8 attempts. Real attempts. It’s a learning process. Most of our customers find us after several quit attempts, sometimes spanning several decades. Statistically, these customers are more likely to be successful long-term. If a teen is being threatened or disciplined for vaping and the parent(s) wants us to help them quit, their likelihood of success is very compromised because they likely have no practice with quitting. Do I believe our program will be helpful? Of course! Statistically, the teen will be one quit attempt closer to success. But I would not expect absolute success, defined by complete abstinence. We are not in the business to generate profits at all cost.
Teen Nicotine Addiction Is Very Complicated
Perhaps a more important reason for discouraging teen vaping appointments is the complexity of the situation which involves a combination of social, physiological and psychological dynamics. The role of a Tobacco Treatment Specialist may be helpful in treating teen nicotine dependence, but the lead on this issue, IMO, is best left to an appropriately licensed physician. Perhaps a child/family psychologist who specializes in addiction should be consulted initially.
I spoke with a teen who agreed he had an issue with JUULing. He was at a fair with friends and his head ached so that he was unable to enjoy the rides…..until he found another teen with JUUL. After a lengthy discussion the young man asked, “So, do you think I can JUUL again in a year or so?” He later added, “This girl I really like….she JUULs. How should I handle that?” I hope parents can understand and respect our position on treating teen vaping. It goes beyond traditional tobacco treatment. We are on your team; just not the coach. And we will continue to work to improve our ability to contribute to this urgent and very important conversation.
Mayo Clinic for the 26th Annual Nicotine Dependence Center Conference
The annual Tobacco Treatment Summit is next week. You can see from the program schedule that the topic of e-cigarette use is heavily represented on this years’ agenda. I hope to return from the conference better equipped to help guide parents and teens caught up in this dangerous epidemic.
