What is the age range for adolescent participants?

The target age range for the participants of these Zoom meetings will be 12 to 22 years of age. Meetings will be made available to all adolescents, regardless of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

Will participants be in different Zoom meetings depending on their age?

Yes.

15-18 year olds (high school students) will meet on Mondays and Tuesdays in groups from 7pm-8:30pm, and/or individually by appointment 9:30am-6:30pm Monday - Thursday. Individual Zoom meetings can be requested by email.

18-22 year olds (college-age students) will meet on Wednesdays in groups from 7pm-8:30pm, and/or individually by appointment 9:30am-6:30pm Monday - Thursday. Individual Zoom meetings can be requested by email.

12-14 year olds will meet individually by appointment 9:30am-6:30pm Monday - Thursday. Individual Zoom meetings can be requested by email.

Parents will meet on Thursdays in groups from 7pm-8:30pm, and/or individually by appointment 9:30am-6:30pm Monday - Thursday. Individual Zoom meetings can be requested by email.

How can I learn more about the meetings before paying/signing up for a meeting?

Free Q&A meetings are currently scheduled for parents and college-age students.

Sign up here

What will be the topics of the meetings be?

Some anticipated meeting topics for adolescents include :

• Abstinence vs substance use vs substance abuse

• Biological/psychological/sociological model of substance use

• Human curiosity in altered states of consciousness

• Coping with stress

• Peer pressure - it’s real!

• Nicotine, tobacco, and vaping

• Substances and relationships (platonic and romantic)

• Marijuana

• Alcohol

• Impulse control, risk taking, boundary testing, and the adolescent brain

• Understanding dopamine, euphoria, and the craving for more

  Can you have fun without using substances? Of course, but it takes more planning and vulnerability
  
  
  Some anticipated meeting topics for parents include :

• What are you modeling?

• Understanding your own use

• Understanding your child’s use

• How best to help your child / honest communication with your child

• Planning for fun with your family

Can meeting participants be anonymous?

While I will be showing my face and full name on screen, I encourage any participants to turn off their videos and only use initials or usernames to be identified by if that allows them to feel more comfortable during the meeting.  That being said, I do welcome anyone to show themselves, as the goal to destigmatize the natural curiosity and/or confusion which people can have around the complex subject of substance use and its related matters will only help to make people feel safer and more supported throughout their learning process. 

How can I get the most out of meetings?

I highly suggest coming to meetings prepared to ask any questions and to share your experiences and challenges. I will ensure a safe space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings, but you and everyone else will get the most out of meetings if you are willing to be vulnerable and open.