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By Riya Upadhyaya
Some in our community view opioid use as a distant problem. This dangerous misconception leads to inaction and ignorance, and the reality is that a significant portion of Tri-Valley teens are currently struggling with, or have a history of, substance use, ranging from alcohol to opioids.
As part of her job, Brittany Oldfather, an Amador Valley High School campus psychologist,
supports students and their families in the drug recovery process, assists them in creating a safety plan and reintegrating into school, and helps them prioritize their overall wellness and safety.
I was able to sit down with Oldfather for a short interview about what she’s seen regarding opioid abuse, and here’s what she had to say:
Given your experiences, are there any substances that stand out to you as having the most extreme impacts on teens’ lives?
“Students I’ve met with opioid dependence… that’s been the most impairing, whether by choice, and they sought it out, or it was laced. Those are the people that I’ve met that seem to have the most challenges with overcoming addiction, and definitely have some mental challenges– having a really hard time with focus, really poor memory, and a really hard time with organization because the brain is just still trying to make all those internal pathways. And the opioids completely block those pathways,” Oldfather said.
Laced drugs are a serious issue amongst teens. Even alcohol and weed can deteriorate a teen’s personal and academic life more profoundly than they might realize.
“[The teenage years] are such a critical time. So I find it very concerning when any kid is smoking or vaping, even weed, and certainly using alcohol. But, as far as brain impairment, opioids can definitely do some of the worst damage. I’ve probably met one [serious case] each school year, of all the students I meet. And when I say one each year, I mean one really significant situation.”
Have you seen teens who have been able to move away from substance use and recover?
“Especially with opioid abuse, oftentimes there isn’t 100% success in complete sobriety. But I have seen those students make improvements. No matter the substance, there’s a lot that has to be done; they need wrap-around support. I mean, the students have to be honest with themselves and others. They need their parents to be involved. They have to be honest with their physicians. It’s probably worth doing some therapy. Sobriety is not easy for even an adult. And as a teenager, I can’t imagine just how easy it is to fall back into the wrong paths.”
What are some of the hardest experiences you’ve had at this job?
When people hear of drug overdose, it’s important to understand that our community is no exception.
“We’ve lost students, even after graduation. There have been multiple student deaths related to drug and alcohol usage. One, I’ve met personally; others, I’ve just known of, but it always hits hard.”
How can friends and family help students in these situations and recognize signs of drug use?
“Loved ones should look out for warning signs. That means watching out for big changes in behavior: they’re withdrawing, being secretive, their grades are tanking, or they’re very moody. Looking out for dilated pupils and things like that, anything that raises flags,” Oldfather explained. “It’s about getting the person that you love and care for in a safe place where they can be and with the resources they need.”
What do you think teens can do to seek help or avoid drug misuse in the first place?
“Every teen should probably have an honest conversation with themselves about where they stand on substances. Our values are tested the second we’re faced with something tempting, or with peer pressure, or whatever else. The more a teen knows where their boundaries and limits are, the easier it is to react in that moment. As dorky as it sounds, if you’re exposed, just be selfish. Like, so what if people think I’m lame for walking away right now? It’s just something I have to do,” Oldfather said.
Stigmas around substance use create a potential obstacle for teenagers seeking help. As a school psychologist, the source recalls times when teenagers avoided being honest with others and themselves.
“I think that teens should give themselves grace because no one’s expected to be perfect, and people who have struggled with addiction face a hard journey out of it, but, you know, there’s so much resiliency that comes from it. Just continuing to be your best and work through it is still a win, even if you started from a real low place.”
Finally, if there was one message you wanted to share with all teens about substance use, what would it be?
“I would say that the temptation is real. And that it’s far more common than probably most adults, teachers, and parents think,” Oldfather said. “Teenagers should know that life can change in moments, and that things like opioids and substances can really change the way our brains work. They can put us in dangerous positions, but they can also put our brains in a position that’s going to take a lot of work and time to rewire. That’s probably not worth your time and energy to undo.”
While the road to recovery may be a long one, for struggling students, hope isn’t lost.
“Wonderful things can come in recovery, too,” Oldfather said. “Recovery is challenging but beautiful as well, and there’s a lot of power in it.”
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
