Those who usually use condoms do so regardless of the involvement of drugs or alcohol prior to or during the sexual encounter. There is evidence, however, that adolescents who use alcohol and drugs are likely to become sexually active at an early age and have a greater STD risk because of multiple partners and choice of risky partners. As with adults, there are many social and emotional factors that influence sexual decisions. Many of our subjects report having serious or long-term relationships before becoming sexually active with their partner. So for adolescents who choose to become sexually active, we have to teach them to become sexually responsible as well.
Responsibility takes on a whole new meaning for adolescents who become parents.
She and adolescent medicine physicians from the IUSM Department of Pediatrics collaborate with nursing and social work staff from Wishard Hospital to provide prenatal and postnatal care to adolescent girls. Both parent and child are followed from the time of pregnancy diagnosis through at least the first two years of the child's life. Adolescents are counseled and educated about the realities of parenthood. Care also is provided for the baby's father and any other sex partners if an STD is diagnosed. Often girls are in denial or unaware of their pregnancy until much later in the term, which is why we work closely with social service agencies and schools to identify them.