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Acknowledging Single Moms. How to Talk to Your Kids About Addiction and Implement a Family Drug Testing Program


By. Dr. Wesley C. Sassaman, DNP, MPH, MSN-NE, MBA, FNP-C, CARN-AP



In today's world, addiction is a topic that many families must confront. For single moms, having these conversations can feel particularly daunting. However, using motivational interviewing (MI) techniques can help you communicate effectively with your children without alienating them. Additionally, implementing a family drug testing program can support your family's health and safety. In this blog post, we'll explore how to use MI to discuss addiction with your children and provide steps for setting up a family drug testing protocol.


By utilizing MI techniques and implementing a family drug testing program, single moms can effectively address addiction with their children while promoting a healthy and safe environment for their family. Now, let's dive into how to have these important conversations and set up a drug testing protocol.


Single Moms Don't Play Around


Single moms play a crucial role in educating their adolescent teen children about the dangers of fentanyl addiction because they are their primary caregivers and role models. With fentanyl being prevalent, inexpensive, and deadly in the US, it is imperative for moms to address this issue proactively. Motivational interviewing (MI) techniques can be an effective way for moms to communicate with their teen children about addiction without alienating them.


MI involves a collaborative and empathetic approach, allowing the mom to guide the conversation while respecting her teen's autonomy. By using open-ended questions and reflective listening, the mom can create a safe space for her teen to express their thoughts and concerns. This technique helps the mom understand her teen's perspective and encourages them to think critically about the dangers of fentanyl addiction.


To develop a family drug testing program, the mom can involve her teen in the process. By explaining the importance of maintaining a healthy and safe environment for everyone in the family, the mom can emphasize that the program is not solely targeting the teen but rather an initiative for the collective well-being. This collaborative approach fosters trust and accountability within the family.


Setting clear guidelines and expectations regarding drug testing is essential. The mom should explain the purpose of the program, the frequency of testing, and the consequences for positive results. By establishing a non-punitive approach and emphasizing the program as a preventive measure rather than a punishment, the mom can ensure her teen feels supported rather than judged.


Regular communication about the program's progress and its positive impact on the family's health can further motivate the teen to stay away from harmful substances like fentanyl. Through ongoing conversations, the mom can reinforce the importance of making healthy choices and provide resources for her teen to seek help if needed.


In summary, single moms play a significant role in teaching their adolescent teen children about fentanyl addiction due to their influence as primary caregivers. Utilizing motivational interviewing techniques allows moms to have open and non-judgmental conversations. By involving their teens in the development of a family drug testing program and emphasizing its purpose for everyone's health, moms can create a supportive environment that promotes well-being and helps prevent addiction.

 

Understanding and Using Motivational Interviewing (MI)


Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based counseling approach designed to help individuals find the motivation to make positive decisions and accomplish established goals (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). The core principles of MI include expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self-efficacy. Let's see how this works in practice.



Parents can use MI as well as anyone. Let's look at an example, where a single mom is having a conversation with her son regarding his recovery from fentanyl addiction. By utilizing MI techniques and implementing a family drug testing program, single moms can effectively address addiction with their children while promoting a healthy and safe environment for their family. Now, let's dive into how to have these important conversations and set up a drug testing protocol.


A Sample Conversation Using MI

Scenario

Characters:  

  • Mother (Sarah)

  • Older Son (Jake, 17)

  • Younger Daughter (Emily, 14)


Setting:  

The family is sitting together in the living room on a Saturday afternoon.


Express Empathy

Mother (Sarah): "I can see that this is really hard for you, and I appreciate how you're trying to stay strong."

Son (Jake): "Yeah, I just feel like I've let everyone down again."

Mother (Sarah): "It's okay to feel that way. Relapses happen, and it's part of the journey. What matters is how you move forward from here."

Develop Discrepancy

Mother (Sarah): "You’ve told me how important it is for you to get back to school and play sports again. How do you think continuing to use would affect those goals?"

Son (Jake): "I know... It’s just that I feel so lost sometimes."

Mother (Sarah): "I understand. Let's think about how getting back on track could help you feel more in control and closer to your goals."

Roll with Resistance

Mother (Sarah): "I hear you saying that you don’t want to go to your support group today. Can you tell me more about what’s making you feel this way?"

Son (Jake): "I just feel like everyone there judges me."

Mother (Sarah): "That sounds really tough. What do you think might help make it feel more supportive for you?"

Support Self-Efficacy

Mother (Sarah): "Remember how you managed to stay sober for two weeks last month? That was a huge accomplishment, and it shows you have the strength to do this."

Son (Jake): "But it didn’t last..."

Mother (Sarah): "It still shows that you can do it. Each step forward, no matter how small, is progress."


Creating a Family Drug Testing Program

Implementing a family drug testing program can further support your efforts to keep the family healthy. Here’s a practical guide to get you started.


Step 1: Choose the Right Test Kits

Analyzing the precision and accuracy of these five detection kits will help parents make a more informed choice. Precision refers to the consistency of the test results, while accuracy refers to how close the test results are to the true value. Let’s break down each kit in terms of precision, accuracy, and cost to determine the best option. There are many option out there. find the one that best supports your family's health care objectives.




### 1. CareHealth America Multi-Drug Test Kit

- Precision: High precision with consistent results across multiple tests.

- Accuracy: High accuracy, but occasional false positives may occur, requiring confirmatory testing.

- Cost: Approximately $30 for a pack of 5 tests.

- Pros: Comprehensive panel, easy to use, quick results.

- Cons: Single-use, may need confirmatory testing for positive results.

- Recommendation: Good choice for broad-spectrum initial screening.


### 2. PrimeScreen Multi-Panel Drug Test Cup

- Precision: Very high precision, with minimal variability between tests.

- Accuracy: Very high accuracy, with low rates of false positives and negatives.

- Cost: Approximately $35 for a pack of 5 tests.

- Pros: Easy to handle, quick results, covers a wide range of substances.

- Cons: Single-use, might need professional confirmation for positive results.

- Recommendation: Excellent choice for initial screening with reliable results.


### 3. Identify Diagnostics 10 Panel Drug Test Cup

- Precision: High precision, consistent results.

- Accuracy: High accuracy, reliable for initial screening.

- Cost: Approximately $25 for a pack of 5 tests.

- Pros: Comprehensive detection, user-friendly, quick turnaround.

- Cons: Single-use, confirmatory testing recommended for positive results.

- Recommendation: Budget-friendly option with reliable results.


### 4. Easy@Home 12 Panel Instant Drug Test Kit

- Precision: High precision, consistent results.

- Accuracy: High accuracy, but occasional false positives may occur.

- Cost: Approximately $28 for a pack of 5 tests.

- Pros: Comprehensive drug panel, easy to read, quick results.

- Cons: Single-use, positive results should be confirmed by a professional.

- Recommendation: Good balance between cost and reliability.


### 5. Areta 14 Panel Drug Test Cup

- Precision: Very high precision, consistent results.

- Accuracy: Very high accuracy, low rates of false positives and negatives.

- Cost: Approximately $40 for a pack of 5 tests.

- Pros: Broad detection range, easy to use, quick and reliable results.

- Cons: Single-use, confirmatory testing advised for positive results.

- Recommendation: Best choice for comprehensive and highly accurate initial screening.


 ### Final Decision and Recommendation


Based on precision, accuracy, and cost, here’s a detailed comparison:

- CareHealth America Multi-Drug Test Kit: Good choice for comprehensive screening but may require confirmatory tests due to occasional false positives. Cost-effective at $30 for 5 tests.

- PrimeScreen Multi-Panel Drug Test Cup: Offers very high precision and accuracy, making it an excellent choice for initial screening. Slightly more expensive at $35 for 5 tests.

- Identify Diagnostics 10 Panel Drug Test Cup: Budget-friendly and reliable with high precision and accuracy. A great option for families looking for cost-effective solutions at $25 for 5 tests.

- Easy@Home 12 Panel Instant Drug Test Kit: Balanced in terms of cost and reliability, suitable for parents who need a comprehensive but affordable option at $28 for 5 tests.

- Areta 14 Panel Drug Test Cup: The best overall choice for comprehensive and highly accurate screening, though it is the most expensive at $40 for 5 tests.


### Best Overall Choice

Areta 14 Panel Drug Test Cup

- Reasoning: Despite being the most expensive, it offers the highest precision and accuracy, covering a broad range of substances including fentanyl. This makes it a reliable and comprehensive choice for parents who want the best possible initial screening tool.

- Cost: $40 for a pack of 5 tests.

Budget-Friendly Choice

Identify Diagnostics 10 Panel Drug Test Cup

- Reasoning: This kit balances cost and reliability well, making it a practical choice for families looking to manage expenses while still getting accurate results.

- Cost: $25 for a pack of 5 tests.

By weighing the factors of precision, accuracy, and cost, parents can make an informed choice that best suits their needs and budget.


Step 2: Explain the Program to Your Children

Having a conversation with your children about the drug testing program is crucial. Here's an example:

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Mother (Sarah): "Hey, Jake and Emily, I wanted to have a family meeting to talk about something important. We’re going to start a routine drug sampling program in our family."

Emily (14): "What? Why, Mom? I don’t do drugs!"

Jake (17): "Yeah, this sounds really intense. What’s going on?"

Mother (Sarah): "I understand how you both feel, and I want to explain why we’re doing this and how it’s going to work. This program isn’t about accusing anyone or not trusting you. It’s about making sure we all stay healthy and safe. By including everyone in the family, it ensures that no one feels singled out or unfairly targeted. It also helps us all stay accountable and supportive of each other."

Emily (14): "But why everyone?"

Mother (Sarah): "Good question, Emily. By including everyone, it ensures fairness and encourages everyone to stay away from harmful substances. We'll use one of the best test kits available, which are very accurate and reliable."

Jake (17): "How is this going to work, exactly?"

Mother (Sarah): "We’ll test randomly, so no one knows exactly when they might be tested. If someone tests positive, it’s not about punishment. It’s about understanding what’s going on and getting the right help and support."

Emily (14): "But what if someone tests positive?"

Mother (Sarah): "We'll work together to address any issues and find the best way forward. The goal is to keep everyone healthy and safe, not to punish anyone."

Jake (17): "Alright, Mom. I get it. It’s weird, but I understand why you’re doing it."

Mother (Sarah): "Thank you, Jake. I appreciate you both being open to this. We’re a team, and we’ll support each other through this."

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Step 3: Set Up a Family Drug Testing Contract and Testing Process - Everyone Signs.


Family Drug Testing Contract


Purpose:

To ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all family members by implementing a routine, random drug testing program. This program aims to support each other in making healthy choices and to provide early intervention if necessary.


Participants:

- Sarah (Mother)

- Jake (Son, 17)

- Emily (Daughter, 14)


Testing Frequency:

- Monthly drug testing for one randomly selected family member.


Testing Method:

- We will use the 12 Panel Drug Test Kit, which detects the following compounds:

- Amphetamines (AMP)

- Benzodiazepines (BZO)

- Cocaine (COC)

- Marijuana (THC)

- Methamphetamine (MET)

- Methadone (MTD)

- Opiates (OPI)

- Oxycodone (OXY)

- Phencyclidine (PCP)

- Barbiturates (BAR)

- Ecstasy (MDMA)

- Fentanyl (FEN)


Random Selection Process:

1. At the beginning of each month, all family members’ names will be placed into a hat.

2. One name will be drawn at random by Sarah (Mother).

3. The selected family member will be informed privately and will be required to provide a urine sample within 24 hours.


Testing Procedure:

1. The selected family member will be provided with the Ethnic Multi-Panel Drug Test Kit.

2. The test kit includes a urine collection cup and a testing panel.

3. The family member will collect their urine sample in the provided cup.

4. The testing panel will be immersed in the urine sample as per the instructions on the kit.

5. Results will be read within the designated time frame (usually 5 minutes).


Handling Positive Results:

1. If a test result is positive, the initial result will be taken seriously but will require confirmation.

2. The positive sample will be sent to a local laboratory for confirmatory testing using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for accuracy.

3. The family member with the positive result will be required to undergo further testing and evaluation.

4. Counseling will be arranged to address the issue and to support the family member’s recovery.

5. If necessary, the family member may be enrolled in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to provide additional support and relapse prevention strategies.


Support and Confidentiality:

- All results and subsequent actions will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.

- The goal is to support each other, not to punish.

- Open communication and support are encouraged at all times.


Agreement:

By signing this contract, each family member agrees to participate in the monthly random drug testing program and to follow the procedures outlined above. This agreement is made to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our family.


Signatures:


_________________________

Sarah (Mother)

Date: _______________


_________________________

Jake (Son, 17)

Date: _______________


_________________________

Emily (Daughter, 14)

Date: _______________


Follow-Up Procedures:

- Confirmatory Testing: Any positive result will be confirmed by a local laboratory using GC-MS or LC-MS/MS for high accuracy.

- Counseling: Immediate counseling will be arranged to provide support and address any underlying issues.

- Intensive Outpatient Care: If required, the family member will be enrolled in an IOP to receive comprehensive support and relapse prevention strategies.


By implementing this program, we aim to foster a healthy, supportive, and safe environment for our family. Together, we can navigate any challenges and ensure the well-being of each member.


Conclusion

Implementing a family drug testing program and using motivational interviewing techniques can create a supportive environment that promotes health and safety. Remember, the goal is to foster open communication, build trust, and support each other. If you need more guidance or assistance, consider booking a consultation with a professional who can help you refine your approach.


By taking these proactive steps, you’re not only protecting your family but also empowering your children to make healthier choices.

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