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Psychologist on PLCS podcast: Teen substance use often signals self‑medication; parents should seek support
Summary
On the Papillion La Vista Community Schools 'Mind Shift' podcast, clinical psychologist Dr. Trevor Bixler told hosts Christopher and Deb that many teenagers use substances to cope with anxiety or depression, urged parents to watch for behavioral changes, and recommended school counselors and clinicians as first steps for help.
Dr. Trevor Bixler, a clinical psychologist affiliated with Imagine, told the Mind Shift podcast hosted by Christopher and Deb that many teenagers are using substances not primarily for recreation but as a form of self‑medication for anxiety, depression and other stressors. He urged parents to take concerns seriously and to seek help from pediatricians, school counselors or community providers.
Why it matters: Bixler said substance use among adolescents has become more accessible and normalized, and traditional 'just say no' prevention does not address the emotional and social drivers that lead teens to use. He emphasized early, nonjudgmental conversations and clinically informed responses…
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