Teen Drug Help
Teen Depression and Substance Abuse
Everyone feels down once in a while. You might have broken up with your boyfriend, failed your geometry test, been cut from the soccer team, or any other embarrassing/disappointing/mildly heartbreaking event that is part of teenage life. And now you feel like crap. This is a perfectly acceptable response to any of these scenarios, and while you might wallow in self-pity for a day or two, eventually you get over it and move one. For some teens, however, this feeling doesn't go away and they continue to feel down and depressed.
These teens who continue to feel depressed for a length of time could be suffering with depression. Some of the signs of teen depression include low energy, irritability, a drop in grades, feelings of worthlessness, a drop in social activities, and suicidal thoughts. These symptoms of depression can last for weeks to months.
Teenage depression is more than just normal teen angst. Teens who are suffering with depression are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than teens who are not depressed. I've already talked about the dangers of teen drug and alcohol abuse at considerable length. In addition to the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse alone, combining substance abuse and depression can result in additional, life-threatening consequences. You cannot cure your depression by turning to drugs and alcohol. Being drunk or high might make you feel better temporarily, but in the long run, you could be making your problem worse.
Teens who are suffering with depression, often use drugs and alcohol to relieve the stress and frustration caused by depression. Unfortunately, by turning to drugs and alcohol, they are making their depression worse, not better. In some cases, drug and alcohol abuse can even cause depression in teens. Because teenage depression can have serious consequences like drug and alcohol abuse, even thoughts of suicide, it is important for teens suffering with depression to get help. If you or someone you care about has a problem with depression and/or substance abuse, ask for help so that they can get the help that they need.
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-depression, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
The Reality of Teen Drug Abuse
In the course of writing this blog, I’ve been reading a lot of articles about teens abusing drugs who underestimate the consequences of drugs and who overestimate their ability to control their drug use. I think this is a big problem that we face. We all learn so much about drugs that teens feel like they can beat or control addiction. Teens think they’re invincible, and say, “Well, that won’t happen to me.” The kids in these articles live in suburbia, have good families, and have almost certainly learned about the consequences of drugs. Yet, teens still try drugs, teens still become addicted, and in some cases, teens still die.
Just being a teenager doesn’t give you a free pass to “experiment” or do things that you know you shouldn’t. Of course you’re going to do something stupid or awkward every once and a while, but that stupidity crosses the line from ordinary teenage angst into dangerous and irresponsible behavior when drugs and alcohol are involved. Putting your life at risk by abusing drugs and alcohol is serious, and it's important to know that this kind of substance abuse has some pretty serious consequences.
The risks of addiction and death definitely do not outweigh the benefit of a temporary high. When they're using drugs, teens don't think that they will die in their dealer’s house, while a prostitute tries to revive you, but it happens. It can happen to anybody, and you are not exempt.
If you or someone you love has a problem with drugs, it is important to get help. Talk to your parents or your teachers for advice and to help find a treatment program that can help you achieve recovery.
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Parents and Teen Drug Help
I think a lot of parents probably drive themselves crazy trying to figure out what is going on in their teenager's life. As teenagers, most of us aren't exactly thrilled to share our every move with out parents and the constant questioning can be really annoying. Nevertheless, knowing where your teen is, who their friends are, and what they're doing is a really key step in keeping your teens away from drugs.
On TV the other day, I was watching a show about a family, and the dad was looking at this pamphlet about detecting drug use in teens. So he's reading the pamphlet and is freaking out because the symptoms include things like "moodiness, unwillingness to communicate" and the like, which are really just basic teenage behaviors, and not necessarily indicative of drug use. Anyway, this got me thinking about some tools that can help parents to keep their kids away from drugs, and tools that will enable parents to help a teen with a drug problem.
There are a few things that parents can do to help keep their kids away from drugs. One of the most basic things that you can do is talk to your teens about drug use. This seems pretty simply, but by talking to your teen, you establish a relationship of communication and in the case that they are using drugs, they will be more likely to come to you for help. Also, it's important to keep track of the people that your teen is hanging out with. It also helps to talk with the parents of those friends so that you can keep tabs on your teen. Really, don't be afraid to be annoying. Your teen might resent you for being in their business, but you should be more interested in their health and safety than in being their friend. They might not appreciate you now, but they will appreciate you later when they are leading healthy and successful lives.
The bottom line here is that in trying to keep your teen away from drugs, you need to be observant and vigilant. Make sure that you know where your kids are. Make sure that you know their friends. And if they come to you asking for help, don't punish them or make them feel bad. If you teen needs help with their substance abuse, it is important to get help for your teen and to provide a really supportive atmosphere that will help them to be successful in their recovery.
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Meth and Teens
I've been putting this post off for a while because I feel like there's just so much to say about the effects of meth addiction on teenagers. And prepare yourselves, because this will probably be the first of several posts about meth.
While growing up and going to school, I was thoroughly educated about the dangers of drugs like cocaine and heroin, so I've become pretty effectively numbed to the horrible effects that cocaine and heroin addiction can cause. It's like watching an action movie. We're so used to the violence and whatnot that it doesn't shock or surprise us anymore. Well, that's kind of how I feel about cocaine, heroine, ecstasy, LSD, etc. Now, I'm not trying to say that these drugs are safe or don't have serious consequences (because they absolutely do). What I'm saying is that I've just gotten used to hearing about all of the horrible stuff that these drugs can cause. However, meth is a whole different story for me.
Before I started writing this blog, I didn't really know a lot about meth. I knew that it was pretty addictive and that meth labs were super dangerous. But I didn't really know anything about the effects of meth. And let me tell you, I was in for a surprise. I actually intended to write this blog about meth the other day, but after doing about a full day of research on meth, I just couldn't handle it. I needed a break. The effects of meth are so shocking, that I just couldn't think about it anymore.
Meth has become a pretty widespread problem throughout the West Coast of the United States, and it seems to be only a matter of time before its influence spreads all the way to the East Coast as well. Meth is scary because you can become addicted the first time you use meth, and there are some pretty serious consequences that are a result of this addiction. These consequences include hallucination, paranoia, stroke, weight loss, liver and kidney damage, and death from overdose.
Meth is also dangerous because of the ingredients used to produce it. Meth can be made from deadly substances like battery acid, drain cleaner, and antifreeze. Prolonged use of meth can also cause "meth mouth". Meth mouth is pretty gross, and is caused by the corrosive ingredients (like battery acid, etc.) used to make meth. Using meth can result in dry mouth, which contributes to tooth decay, cracked teeth, and gum disease. Many drug addicts simply neglect oral hygiene, which adds to the problems already caused by meth use. In general, meth mouth is not a pretty site. If you want to check it out for yourself, just Google it, but beware, it might gross you out. I can barely look at the pictures.
So all in all, meth is scary. It's insanely addictive and can be devastating to both your health and your appearance. If you or someone you care about has a problem with meth, get help before the effects of meth completely takes over your lives.
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Cough Medicine...Remedy or Risk?
I remember when I was little, I absolutely hated cough syrup. If I had a cough, I would try to hide it for as long as possible so that my mom wouldn't make me take Robitussin. Even today, I try to avoid cough syrup as much as possible. It just grosses me out. So you can imagine my surprise to hear that teens are taking large amounts of cough medicine to get high. I can barely swallow a spoonful of cough syrup, but people are drinking two or three bottles. But upon further examination, cough medicine seems like an ideal candidate for teenage use and abuse because it can be easily bought, and its totally legal. All you have to do is walk into the drug store and pick up a bottle of Robitussin. You don't even have to ask the pharmacist. Totally easy, right? Maybe too easy. It's this accessibility that makes cough medicine abuse a problem.
Like I said when I was talking about prescription drug abuse, a lot of people assume that because drugs are legal,they aren't harmful. However, this is not the case. And while cough medicine doesn't seem particularly harmful (after all, it's supposed to make you feel better), it can do a lot of damage. Cough medicine contains an ingredient called dextromethorphan (aka DXM), which when taken in large quantities, can create the feeling of being high. DXM is safe when used in proper dosages, but in order to get high, teens are consuming really large quantities. This is where you might run into a problem.
If you take cough medicine in the proper dose, you don't have to worry about the negative effects caused by the abuse of DXM. If you abuse cough medicine, though, there are some consequences of this abuse, including confusion, dizziness, abdominal pain, rapid heartbeat, numbness of fingers and toes, and disorientation. These effects of the abuse of DXM or "robotripping" (get it? Robitussin...robotripping) are only the short term effects. There is also a variety of long-term effects of DXM abuse that can cause even more damage.
DXM doesn't just result in a short term high, but can also produce some long-term and life-threatening effects. Some of the long-term effects of cough medicine abuse include brain damage, psychosis, and addiction. Abuse of DXM can even result in coma or death. Just like any other drug, DXM is addictive and can result in really serious consequences. It's really not something to mess around with. Just because cough medicine will stop your cough doesn't mean that it's okay to drink 1 or 2 bottles at once. Really, it's just not a good idea, and the idea that because a drug is legal means that it is safe needs to be erased from your brain.
Labels: prescription-drug-abuse, teen-addiction, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Teens, Alcohol, and the Flip-Flop Flask
I saw a segment on the news a few weeks ago about some flip-flops with a built in flask. It seems to me that Reef was obviously trying to market to a young audience who would use these sandals to "smuggle" alcohol into classes, or dances, or whatever. Of course, Reef isn't going to come right out and admit that they are promoting underage drinking, but the concept of a shoe with a built in flask is simultaneously horrifying and hilarious. It is horrifying because the geniuses at Reef who came up with this design clearly had no regard for the underage drinking risk that they were creating with these sandals. It's hilarious because who wants to drink out of a shoe? Shoes come into direct contact with the ground, and who knows what kind of dirt and whatnot could get onto the spout of that flask. Gross. And wouldn't it be a little obvious to see some kid at school drinking out of his shoe? On both accounts, this flask-in-flip-flop idea seems like really bad one.
As ridiculous as this idea may be, it does bring up some more serious issues. Teen alcohol abuse is a real problem, and for a company who markets to young people to trivialize that problem is pretty irresponsible. I'm not trying to sound preachy, and some of you might think that this whole flask in shoe idea is pretty sweet. I'm also not trying to blame teen alcohol abuse on a flip-flop, but there are real consequences to the kind of teen alcohol abuse that is being promoted by this product.
I can sit here all day and tell you that underage drinking and alcohol abuse are dangerous, but I think it's more effective to read the story of a person who has dealt with the risks of alcohol abuse firsthand. While I was looking around the internet, I came across a blog that had an article about a teenage girl named Katie whose drinking got out of control. In this article, Katie talks about the consequences of her alcohol abuse, and what her life is like now. Check it out.
If you identify with Katie's problem or think that you might have a problem with alcohol or other drugs, it is really important to get help. Talk to a parent or someone you trust who can help you find the right solution for your problem.
Oh, and please don't drink out of your shoes.
Labels: binge-drinking, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Teens and Prescription Drug Abuse
I've decided that for today's post I'm going to try to talk about one class of drugs that affects teens and is abused by teens. So for today's post, I will be talking about (drum roll please)...prescription drug abuse.
I think there are some misconceptions about prescription drug use that make teens feel less guilty about abusing them. The major misconception seems to be that prescription drugs are safer because they were prescribed by a doctor. I guess it's a semi-logical conclusion to come to. However, that conclusion is totally wrong. Prescription drug use is still drug abuse, and is just as dangerous and addicting as abusing any other drug. Some of the risks of abusing prescription drugs include:
• vomiting and nausea
• drowsiness, dizziness, shaking
• hospitalization, death
• engaging in risky behaviors (driving under the influence, stealing, etc.)
• lost interest in normal activities
• loss of interest in class work and a drop in academic performance
You might not care if you lose interest in your class work (maybe you already have), but you should definitely care about your health. Prescription drug abuse is not trivial, and has consequences that can negatively (and sometimes permanently) change your life.
I stumbled upon an article from USA Today that talks about the increasing use of prescription drugs in teen culture, and the dangers of the use of prescription drugs (I'm warning you in advance that this article is long, but it's really worth reading, I promise). While it might seem like using prescription drugs must be safe because they're prescribed by a doctor, they are only safe when used as prescribed and used by the person they are prescribed to. When abused, prescription drugs can be deadly.
Another good source of info about prescription drug use can be found at www.painfullyobvious.com. This site lets you pick your site guide, and it's kind of lame, but if you can get past their obvious attempts to try and be cool and reate to you, there is some really good information about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. This site lets you explore all of the ways that prescription drug abuse can affect your life, including at home, at school, with your friends, etc.
The bottom line is that prescription drug abuse is not safe. Just because they're in your medicine cabinet doesn't mean that they can't cause damage, and if you abuse them, they will cause damage. If you think you or a friend might have a problem with prescription drug abuse, this website has a number that you can call for help and also has a list of treatment centers for teen with substance abuse problems.
Labels: prescription-drug-abuse, teen-addiction, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Teen Girls and Substance Abuse
I think I've made it pretty clear thus far that teenage substance abuse in general is not a good thing for a variety of reasons. While it's clear to me that teen substance abuse on the whole has a bunch of negative consequences, I was a bit surprised to discover that substance abuse affects boys and girls differently. I guess this might seem obvious to some, but I had never really thought about it before. In light of my newly acquired knowledge, it only seemed logical that I should share this knowledge and post a blog about the effects of teen substance abuse on the fairer sex. So ladies, this one's for you.
I don't think it's a shock to anyone that boys and girls are different. Men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, right? Anyway, in addition to all of the differences between boys and girls that we learned in our very uncomfortable and embarrassing sex-ed classes, boys and girls also differ in the ways that they are affected by alcohol and other drugs.
Some of the effects that substance abuse has on teen girls can be found on the Adolescent Substance Abuse blog. This site references studies that have found that girls enter treatment for substance abuse at a younger age than boys, and girls have a higher likelihood of entering treatment with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, such as depression. Teen girls are also more likely to suffer from depression than teen boys. This site also has a great link to the Teen Help Directory, which can help you find help for yourself or a friend who has lost control of their use of drugs or alcohol.
In my experience, girls really depend on their friendships, so it's important to support each other. Don't follow the pattern of Mean Girls, where Lindsay Lohan (who is a terrible example for girls in real life) and Rachel McAdams are constantly trying to sabotage one another. While that movie is thoroughly entertaining (not to mention one of my personal favorites), the way that the girls acts towards each other only promotes insecurity and low self-esteem, which in the real world can lead to drug and alcohol abuse. Because of the tense relationships that can develop between girls in high school, this site on girls and drugs seems particularly valuable. It talks about ways that you can support your girlfriends, which I think is a key to success at any stage of life.
As women, it is important to be empowered and to be aware of the threats posed to our health and safety. When you're going to a party, there are things that you need to be aware of to protect yourself: Use the buddy system, don't leave your friends alone, and never leave your drink unattended. It's also important to remember that you don't have to out-drink the boys. The biological odds are that you will get drunk faster, and puking is gross.
So ladies, there's no need to go to parties and get totally wasted just because you think the boys will like it. The right guys will think you're trashy and the wrong guys will take advantage. Have fun with your friends, look our for each other, and be aware of the risks that are present.
Labels: girls-and-substance-abuse, teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-substance-abuse
Lifelong Effects of Teen Substance Abuse
In high school, it's pretty much a guarantee that drugs and alcohol will be around. Nobody wants to be the odd man out, so you'll probably try them once or twice. Of course, we've all been taught to "just say no," but honestly, learning to say no in a classroom, and really having to say no to your friends and peers are two completely different things. Because of this, having to "just say no" sounds like a pretty lame option, but in reality it might be the smartest choice that you can make. While you might tell yourself that you're just going to drink or use drugs once, the reality is that if you use drugs or drink alcohol at one party, you'll probably do it at another party. This is when things can start to get dangerous.
I highly doubt that anybody (teens and adults alike) starts using drugs or alcohol planning to get addicted or become dependent, but it happens whether we plan it or not. You might intend to try weed, or meth, or cocaine, just once, but before you know it, you are addicted. Because of this very real danger, we need to be informed about the reality of drug and alcohol abuse. It might be fun in the moment, but the long-lasting effects of substance abuse can result in a reality that might not be so great.
There are some serious long-lasting consequences of drug and alcohol abuse as a teenager:
1. Studies have found that teen drug use can result in psychiatric disorders, like depression, in your mid-20s. While drugs and alcohol might make you feel great now, they could make you feel awful as you get older.
2. Like I've said before, we all know that underage drinking is illegal, and probably not the best idea, but we do it anyway. Unfortunately, this can cause some serious consequences like alcoholism and changes in brain functioning. Neither of these seems like a real good time. This site also has links that can help you to find a treatment program if you feel like your substance abuse has gotten out of control.
3. There are many different issues related to adolescent substance abuse, including some very serious consequences that are a result of the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Some of these consequences include developmental problems, physical and mental consequences, and future use disorders.
You may think that using drugs as a teenager isn't that critical, and isn't worth a whole lot of thought. You tell yourself that you'll stop before things get too serious, and everything will be fine. This might seem like a good plan, but it's pretty short-sighted. Nobody wants to feel like a social outcast, but I also don't know a lot of people who want to become dependent on drugs or alcohol, or who want to put themselves at risk for psychiatric disorders. Sure, you'll have a good time now, but that fun could be at the expense of your future. If you ask me, it's not worth it.
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Summer Substance Abuse
Summer. Every student's favorite time of year. What could be better than three whole, homework-free months of sleeping until noon and hanging out with friends? It doesn't get much better than that.
I think most of us would agree that summer is awesome. Parents are busy working, so you have the house to yourself for the who day, and you don't have school in the morning so you can stay out later on weeknights. This combination is pretty much a recipe for a good time. Unfortunately, this combination can also be a recipe for disaster. Summertime, while pretty excellent, can also create some dangers that don't exist during the rest of the year.
There are more driving related deaths in the summer than during any other time of the year. During the summer, it's really easy just to be swept up in the carefree, party atmosphere. But it's really crucial to remember that the same rules of common sense that apply during the school year, still apply during the summer. It's still not okay to drink and drive, and it's still not okay to let your friends drink and drive. We all know this, but it never hurts to remind yourself that bad things happen, and they can happen to you (even if you think they can't).
Another issue associated with summer is the increase in teen marijuana use during June and July. You just finished final exams and turned in big projects and you just want to relax, so you smoke pot. No big deal, you just use it every now and then with your friends. It may seem like a pretty insignificant matter, but marijuana use can have some pretty serious consequences, like driving while high, underage drinking, or unsafe sexual activity.
Even though you don't have school during the summer, that doesn't mean that you can turn off your brain. There's nothing wrong with having fun, but you shouldn't sacrifice your safety just to have a good time. It's important to look out for yourself and for your friends, and if you think your use of alcohol or other drugs is getting out of control, it is important to ask for help.
Labels: teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-substance-abuse
Getting Help for a Substance Abuse Problem
Everybody who has been in high school knows that it can be pretty unpleasant at times. Stress and drama pretty much define the majority of high school experiences, and for teens, using drugs and alcohol is a really easy was to escape the hell that high school can be.
So if drugs and alcohol make you feel better, then what's the big deal? In most cases we already know the answer to this question. Unless you skipped class that day, we all learned that drugs are bad, drinking is dangerous, blah, blah, blah. In one ear and out the other. Most teens know the dangers of using and abusing drugs and other substances, but they either ignore those facts or think that those things won’t happen to them.
If you have a friend who is using drugs, it is important to get them help. This site has some really helpful tips for talking to a friend about their drug problem. Approaching a friend about their drug problem can be really scary, and they might reject your help. But as a good friend, it is important to take that risk and tell your friend that you think they need help.
If you think that you might have a drug problem yourself, there are also ways that you can get help. A good first step would be to talk to your parents, even though they’re probably the last people that you want to ask for help. You and your parents should then check out these two sites:
Sample Treatment Program This link will lead you to a site for a treatment program in Scotts, Valley, CA. This page will show you what an adolescent treatment program might include from detox, to inpatient treatment, to aftercare programs.
Adolescent Treatment Facilities This link will take you to a list of different facilities throughout the country that have treatment programs for adolescents with substance abuse problems.
The idea of admitting that you have a drug problem or confronting a friend about their problem might be really scary, but in the long run you’re really doing yourself and your friend a huge favor.
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
College Binge Drinking
In light of all of the high school graduations coming up in the next week or so, it seems appropriate to bring up some interesting information about drinking and alcohol abuse in college.
Most people have heard the stories of the binge drinking and hazing at parties in college, and most people just chalk it up to the folly of youth. And really, isn’t half the fun of college; being able to go out and have a good time, making your own mistakes without having to answer to your parents? Even though all of the parties and all of the drinking might be fun, there are some pretty serious consequences to these patterns of drinking in college.
In high school, alcohol is definitely present, but in college, around half of the students are legal drinking age, which makes alcohol even more accessible. But if everyone is drinking, then what’s the big deal?
According to this study that I found on another blog, drinking in college can increase the risk for alcoholism in people who are already at risk for becoming an alcoholic.
Even if you are not predisposed to alcoholism, there is a whole set of dangers that are a consequence of alcohol abuse. Teens and college aged students who abuse alcohol are more likely to have unsafe, unprotected sex, are more likely to drive drunk (which we all know is not a good idea), and are more likely to have health problems as a result of their alcohol use. The bottom line is that no matter what, alcohol abuse has serious consequences and should be taken seriously.
A good way to prevent the consequences of alcohol abuse is to stay away from situations and that might encourage you to abuse alcohol. An interesting tool that might help you to do that is a set of questions for parents and students about the level of drinking (specifically binge drinking) on a college campus.
Understandably, most of us are looking to have fun in college, but there are definitely limits that should be placed on that fun.
Labels: binge-drinking, college-drinking, teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Welcome to the Teen Drug Help Blog
"If Bob jumped off of a bridge, would you do it too?"
Every kid hears this from their parents at least once in their lifetime, and most of us just roll our eyes and reply, "Of course not." We all know that our parents have good intentions and are trying to help us, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying. The pressure for teens to drink and use drugs is almost unavoidable, and as teens, we are way more interested in the opinion of our friends than the opinion of our parents. Obviously, most people wouldn't jump off of a bridge just because someone else did, but we have all done something that we knew was wrong just because other people were doing it too.
"Okay, so if everybody has done something wrong, then why does it matter if I use drugs or alcohol? I’m just having fun."
Not everybody who drinks or uses drugs at a party will have a problem or become addicted, but sometimes drinking or using drugs at a party leads to more regular use, abuse, and addiction. There’s nothing wrong with having fun with your friends, but when that fun leads to a real problem, it is time to stop or ask for help.
The goal of this blog is to provide support and information for teens and parents of teens who have a problem with drug and alcohol abuse, including information on addiction and treatment programs. So stay tuned…
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-drug-help, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
