The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

WWASPS students were disciplined in this HOBBIT room in their U.S. program. The New York Times cover story today had the headline above! Over a decade later and these programs are still in operation.  Sure, some name changes - and shift around some people, but it is still the same from what I am reading. It's not a secret, my family was a victim of the teen help industry. We struggled with a teenager that was a good teen making some bad choices - we needed help.  But did that mean we needed to be duped?  Why do people prey on the weak?  I am not concerned about that right now. Fact is, yes, some teens and families need help and we believe in that - as does my daughter. Our story has been well documented both online and published by Health Communications, Inc (HCI).  What many can't comprehend is how the people and programs that harmed our family and my daughter - as well has hundreds (if not thousands of others) is still in operation? I...

It may start with pot, but where will it end? With the recent tragedy of Corey Monteith it leaves the door open for conversation. You may have a teen that is smoking pot.  I speak to many parents that believe that "it is only marijuana."  Maybe that is true, but have they considered what happens when their highly intelligent (because they also share with me how smart their teenager is) teen decides to maybe try some pills or alcohol with it? What is addiction? Addiction has long been understood to mean an uncontrollable habit of using alcohol or other drugs. Because of the physical effects of these substances on the body, and particularly the brain, people have often thought that “real” addictions only happen when people regularly use these substances in large amounts. Addiction – there is a psychological/physical component; the person is unable to control the aspects of the addiction without help because of the mental or physical conditions involved. – ...

Let's face it, our teens are very smart or they wouldn't be keen enough to manipulate parents into believing they are as innocent as they aren't! On a weekly basis I receive calls from parents about their highly intelligent teens that are smoking pot, using drugs, drinking and other risky behavior.  These kids can also be extremely good athlete's that have recently lost interest in their sport too.  What is going on?  Is it peer pressure, low self-esteem or something else?  Are they being bullied in school, did something happen that we don't know about?  Either way it is time to get your teenager help before it escalate into addiction or worse. Your intelligence at 16 is a strong indicator of how much and how often you will drink throughout adulthood. Over the last 55 years, in the U.S. and U.K., several studies have been conducted that show a direct relationship between childhood intelligence and adult alcohol consumption. Controlling for a huge plethor...