Teen Drug Help
What Parents Can Do To Stop Teen Drug Abuse
I decided to change things up a bit today, so today’s post is going to be for parents. Teen substance abuse often has a lot to do with parental supervision and guidance, or lack thereof, so it seems appropriate to write an entry about some of the issues that face parents relating to their teen and the potential for teen substance abuse.
It seems that the biggest issue for parents in trying to prevent or treat adolescent substance abuse is the mentality that it won’t happen to their child, or that their child knows better. Parents often think that they’re child is the exception to the rule and that they know better than to use or abuse drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, this belief is false. Drug addiction can affect any teen and can affect any family.
One of the things that parents can do to combat teen substance abuse is to be involved in your teen’s life. Make sure you know where they’re going and who their friends are. Ask your teen to check in with you throughout the night, and if they refuse, tell them that they can’t go out. The most important thing you can do with your teen to prevent teen substance abuse is to tell your teen that you don’t approve of underage drinking or drug use. When teens feel like they are disappointing their parents or that they are doing something wrong, they will be more likely to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
As parents, it is your responsibility to set limits and rules for your teen. Even though you might want to be friends with your teen, your job is to make sure that they are safe and that they are making the right decisions. You are supposed to set a good example. If you happen to get along with your teen, then that’s great, but it is better to set rules and protect your teen than to be their best friend and let them participate in activities that put them at risk.
Parents should take steps to prevent teen drug abuse and addiction, but sometimes even parental guidance and strict rules can’t keep teens from giving in to peer pressure. In order to help a teen with a substance abuse problem, parents must first know the signs of teen substance abuse. The sooner that parents can recognize the signs of substance abuse, the sooner they can get help for their teen.
There are a variety of treatment programs available for teens with substance abuse problems. These programs include therapeutic boarding schools that specialize in treating adolescent substance abuse, residential rehab programs, intensive outpatient programs, and wilderness programs that can help teens learn personal responsibility. All of these programs are designed to help teens overcome their substance abuse problems by teaching them the skills that will help them to maintain their sobriety and to be successful in life.
As a parent of a teen, it is important to make sure that your teen is getting the care and treatment that they need. If your teen has a substance abuse problem, it is important to find the treatment program that will best suit their specific needs and will help them get back on the right track towards a successful and healthy life.
Labels: at-risk-teens, teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drinking, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-drug-rehab, teen-marijuana-abuse, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
What Happens After Treatment?
I’ve talked a little bit about what treatment for adolescent substance abuse issues usually includes; detox, inpatient or outpatient care, counseling, etc. But what happens when you finish your treatment and go back to your normal life and have to face things on your own?
When most teens return from treatment, they feel like they have learned something or have changed in some way that will help them stay away from drugs and alcohol. Teens returning from treatment have learned skills and have been given tools to help them stay sober. While the teen who has gone through treatment may have changed, the people around them in their daily lives probably haven’t changed at all. Even though you might have changed, your friends who used drugs probably haven’t. They probably still use drugs and might even encourage you to start using drugs again too.
So how do are you supposed to handle this temptation and peer pressure? There are tools and resources available for teens who are transitioning back into their normal lives that are meant to help teens to deal with the stress and temptation of their daily lives in order to help them stay sober.
For teens returning to their normal lives from drug and alcohol treatment, there are resources available that can make that transition easier. These resources include outpatient programs, which are designed to help teens in recovery to deal with the stresses and triggers that they face daily. There are also online teen support groups and meetings that can help to make the transition back to daily life easier.
While many people think that just because they’ve completed their 60 days in rehab they’re cured, this is not the reality. Many teens with substance abuse problems think that rehab is a quick fix. It is important to remember, however, that recovery is a lifelong process. While you will have bad days, it is important to surround yourself with the people and the tools that will help you to maintain your sobriety.
If you or someone you love has a problem with drugs and alcohol or wants more information about programs after treatment, it is important to get help so that they can be successful and live healthy lives.
Labels: at-risk-teens, teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-depression, teen-drinking, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Link between Teen Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS
If I went around and asked a bunch of teenagers if they thought HIV/AIDS was a big problem in the US today, I bet most of the answers would be “no.” HIV/AIDS got a lot of notoriety in the 80s and 90s, but isn’t on the mind of most teens today. Unfortunately, this creates a problem among teens because HIV and AIDS are still a problem and are still a threat to teens, especially for teens who abuse alcohol and other drugs.
Some people might be confused at this point. For teens who abuse substances like marijuana or alcohol, they might be thinking that they don’t inject drugs, and therefore aren’t at risk for HIV/AIDS. But even though you don’t use drugs that are typically associated with the spread of HIV, by using any mind-altering substance you are putting yourself in danger for contracting HIV/AIDS through the increased likelihood that you will engage in risky behavior while under the influence. Teen substance abuse increases the risk of HIV/AIDS because while you are drunk or high, you might do something that puts you at risk.
Like I said in a previous post, when teens abuse alcohol and other drugs, they put themselves in a situation where they are more prone to do things that put them at risk. When someone is drunk or high they are more likely to do things that they know are dangerous like have unprotected sex, share needles with strangers, etc. Because of these reasons, just because you don’t think you’re directly at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS doesn’t mean that you don’t need to be careful.
When teens abuse drugs and alcohol, they also damage their immune system, which puts them at greater risk for contracting HIV. Teens who are under the influence are also more likely to participate in unprotected sex, which and lead to contracting HIV. And there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. You might think that you are just having a good time with your friends, you might be putting yourself in danger.
Most teens know that if they decide to drink and drive that they are putting themselves at risk, but most teens don’t think of HIV/AIDS when they are thinking of the things that could go wrong when they are using alcohol or other drugs. We tell our friends not to drink and drive, but most of the time we aren’t telling our friends to make sure not to get HIV/AIDS. This is an issue that more teens need to be aware of so that they can protect themselves.
If you or someone you love has a problem with drugs or alcohol, they could be putting themselves at risk for some serious and life-threatening consequences and should get help as soon as possible. Make sure to be aware of the signs of drug use so that you can help a friend before their drug use results in serious consequences like illness and death.
Labels: at-risk-teens, teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drinking, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
The Truth About Treatment
If you ask me, there’s been a huge amount of misinformation going around about rehab and the process of recovery. This misinformation about rehab is largely a result of all of the celebrities who go in and out of rehab as often as most people go to Starbucks. The media coverage of celebrities going to rehab makes it seem like rehab is no big deal; you come and go as you please, and after 28 days (and sometimes not even that long) you’re cured and you never have to worry about your addiction again.
This depiction of rehab is far from the truth, and this attitude that rehab and drug use aren’t serious sends a really bad message and creates a horrible example for young audiences who are watching TV, reading magazines, and browsing the internet. If the role models for rehab are celebrities who don’t take the process seriously, then what does that tell teens who have substance abuse problems?
Teen drug rehab isn’t glamorous, it’s not a vacation, and it’s not easy. Even though rehab might not be fun, it is a necessary step in recovery from addiction. Like I’ve said before, drug and alcohol addiction has a variety of negative consequences, ranging from stroke, to psychotic episodes, to death. Rehab might not be easy, but it beats the alternative.
Rehab is a really important process in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction, and involves a series of steps and stages. Teens with substance abuse problems should look for a rehab program that fits their specific needs. Some teens might need a more intense rehab program that includes detoxification, inpatient treatment, or residential treatment, where they are under constant supervision and are away from their daily environments. There are also outpatient treatment programs for teens who have already completed residential treatment but might need some extra support while they are going back to their normal lives. Outpatient programs are also helpful for teens who have promised to stay sober while they go to school, and then attend treatment programs in the afternoons after school.
Another important aspect of rehabilitation and recovery is continuing care programs. It’s pretty naïve to think that once you’re done with rehab, you’ll never have to deal with your addiction again. Odds are, this will not be the case. After teens have completed rehab, they should get involved in counseling and support groups that will help them to deal with their stresses and their triggers, so that they can maintain their recovery.
For teens with substance abuse problems, it is important to get the truth about the recovery process. If you or your loved one has a problem with drug or alcohol addiction, it is important to be educated about the rehabilitation process so that you can find a treatment program that will be most effective. Rehab isn’t supposed to be a vacation; it’s supposed to be difficult, but a long life of recovery is much better than a short life of addiction.
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drinking, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Teen Drug Use Increases Risky Behavior
Every time I leave the house on a holiday my mom warns me to be careful on the road and to watch out for “crazy drivers.” And by “crazy” she means “drunk.” Yesterday was no exception, and as I left the house to go watch fireworks with friends she warned me to be careful. So I gave her the typical “Okay” and was on my way. This might seem like a normal exchange between a mother and daughter, but it also reveals something about the risky behavior that people engage in while they are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
When teens are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, the likelihood that they will do something reckless increases significantly. These reckless behaviors include driving under the influence, and risky sexual activity. The decision to engage in either of these activities can be life changing, and normally, people would not put themselves at such at risk. However, when teens drink and use drugs, they are more likely to do something that can have some pretty serious negative consequences.
For teenagers, drinking and using drugs can be a way to loosen up at a party, to be more social, and to have a good time. This “social lubrication” seems to be pretty harmless and can make the night more enjoyable. However, this decision to drink or get high can impair your common sense and your decision making skills, which can result in some really serious consequences later. Under normal circumstances, most of us wouldn’t drive drunk, but after you’ve had a few drinks your common sense doesn’t work so well and driving home doesn’t sounds like such a bad idea. It’s just five minutes away, and nothing can go wrong.
Unfortunately, this line of reasoning is why so many teens are involved in drunk driving accidents. Alcohol impairs your ability to think clearly and lowers your inhibitions, so when you are drunk, you are more likely to do something that you wouldn’t do sober, like drive recklessly and put the lives of other people in danger. By driving drunk, you are putting yourself at risk for serious injury, or even death. You probably think that it won’t happen to you, but it can happen to anybody.
In addition to the risk of drunk driving, teens are also more likely to engage in sexual behavior when they are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Like I mentioned, when teens take drugs or drink alcohol, their inhibitions are lowered, and they are more likely to do things that they wouldn’t do sober, like engage in unprotected sex. These irresponsible sexual behaviors among teens can lead to pregnancy, STDs, and HIV/AIDS. Nobody wants to wake up in the morning next to someone you might not even like and have to worry about what happened, if you might be pregnant, or if you could have a disease.
By abusing drugs and alcohol, you could be putting yourself at risk of doing something that is against your morals and values. Unfortunately, while you’re under the influence those morals and values don’t matter. Everyone makes mistakes as a teenager, but the mistakes that you make while drunk or high can be life-threatening. Take responsibility for yourself and watch out for your friends. Don’t put yourself in the position to do something that you will regret later.
Labels: teen-addiction, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-depression, teen-drinking, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-substance-abuse
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
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
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
