The Risks of Misusing Stimulant Medication and Alcohol

Summary Some parents worry about their children sharing their prescribed stimulant medication or using other substances. Sometimes a prescribed medication is diverted to others for non-medical use with devastating results. Julie Buckner, the founder of Josh E. Levine Foundation, shares her story about her young adult son, who passed away as a result of using a mix of stimulants and alcohol. She provides information on how stimulants can be misused by teenagers and young adults, and how medication diversion can be prevented. In this emotional conversation, she also offers recommendations for parents on how to support their young adults. Objectives 1. Learn how mixing stimulants with alcohol can have fatal results. 2. Learn about the environments that lead to diversion and substance use. 3. Learn how youth who are prescribed stimulants can prevent medication theft or diversion. 4. Learn effective communication strategies regarding substance use that parents can use with their children.