Teen Drug Help
Florida Community Wants to "Be the Wall" Between Kids and Alcohol
A new campaign is being launched this month is Nassau County, Florida, to promote the efforts of support parents, retailers, and community members to keep teens from drinking. The campaign is being initiated by the Nassau Alcohol, Crime and Drug Abatement Coalition, in partnership with Nassau County Public Schools, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, the Fernandina Beach Police Department, Sutton Place Behavioral Health, the Nassau County Health Department, and others. The campaign operates from the idea that underage drinking is the single most preventable at-risk behavior among teens.
Susan Woodford, chairman of the coalition, comments on the new campaign: "Underage drinking is about access. … If our teens cannot get their hands on it, they cannot use it. We are asking all community members to help us limit access to alcohol once and for all."
According to the 2008 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, 35 percent of the high school students who responded reported drinking within the past month and of that number, 22 percent called themselves binge drinkers.
(Source: www.jacksonville.com)
Labels: parents, teen-drinking
Massachusetts Town Shows Community Attitudes Crucial to Reducing Teen Substance Abuse
Over the past few years, the town of Revere, Mass., has seen a significant reduction in teen use and abuse of alcohol. Between 2001 and 2007, binge drinking by high school students was cut in half, dropping from 14 percent to 7 percent. (Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in a row on six or more occasions in the past month.)
In 1997, a study reported that 59 percent of local middle school students had experimented with alcohol, and 54 percent had smoked cigarettes. In 2007, the number of students who reported drinking decreased to 42 percent and the number who smoked went down to 28 percent.
Local experts largely attribute these encouraging trends to CARES, a program that was instituted in Revere in 1997. CARES (Community Awareness, Resources, and Education to Prevent Substance Abuse) is a coalition of local agencies and individuals. CARES employs diverse strategies to raise awareness about the prevalence and dangers of teen substance abuse, and strives to change community acceptance of teen drinking.
Under the CARES program, sanctions for teen drinking were increased in severity, and adults in the community learned the dangers of considering teen drinking just a "rite of passage." The success of this program is especially encouraging for Revere, where adult drug and alcohol abuse rates have historically been higher than the statewide average.
(Sources: www.boston.com)
Labels: binge-drinking, teen-drinking
Teen Drug Trends in Colorado
A 2007 study conducted in Mesa County, Colorado, shows that female teens are smoking marijuana and driving drunk in greater numbers than male teens. The survey was conducted at all five area high schools. Other findings from the study included the fact that girls are more likely to use prescription drugs than boys (30 percent versus 25 percent), and that boys are more likely to drink alcohol (48 percent versus 46 percent) and smoke cigarettes (18 percent versus 15 percent). However, equal percentages of boys and girls participated in binge-drinking behavior (32 percent).
(Sources: www.gjfreepress.com)
Labels: teen-drinking, teen-drug-abuse
Australian Women Drink at Younger Ages, Have Greater Health Risks
Most Australian female youth have had their first full drink by age 15, which is eight years earlier than their mothers' generation. Researchers at Flinders University found that most women aged 60 or older reported having their first drink around age 23. However, women between the ages of 20 and 29 reported being introduced to alcohol by age 15. The study found that earlier usage increased drinkers' risk for dependence, mental health problems, and drug addiction. Researchers gathered information from 29,000 responses to the 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
(Source: www.smh.com.au)
Labels: teen-drinking
New York State Proposes Alcohol Tax to Curtail Teen Drinking
On December 15, representatives in the New York State Assembly proposed a 25 cent per bottle tax on beer, wine, and liquor to create revenues to be used to help curtail teen drinking. The excise tax would be charged to distributors and noncommercial importers of all alcohol sold in New York State. The authors of the bill cited recent data which indicate that between 12 and 20 percent of the alcohol market in the United States is composed of underage drinkers. In addition, the bill's justification includes the fact that "research has shown that higher prices on alcohol can reduce teen alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems." Approximately 1.6 million adults and 160,000 youth in New York State suffer from drug or alcohol abuse problems. (Source: legislativegazette.com)
Labels: drug-abuse, teen-drinking, underage-drinking
Binge Drinking by German Youth "Frightening"
According to a story from Reuters this week, the number of teenage binge drinkers in Germany has decreased by 5 percent over the past year. According to the German government, however, the number is still "frightening."
Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more alcohol beverages in one sitting. A recent study released by the government indicated that 20 percent of teens, ages 12 to 17, binge drink at least once per month, in spite of the fact that Germany prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 16. This percentage is down from 25 percent in 2007, but the nation remains in the top 10 globally for alcohol consumption per capita. German authorities are calling for an increase in prevention programs to educate youth on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.
(Sources: Canada.com/vancouversun)
Labels: binge-drinking, teen-drinking
The Effects of Alcohol on the Developing Mind
Until recently, it was thought that the worst thing that could happen to young people who drink alcohol is the risk of accidents or injury – and a bad hangover. But new research about the developing mind suggests that there may be more serious issues that result from alcohol use during childhood.
Researchers have found that brain development is not finished within the first few years of life, but continues to undergo refinement in several important regions at least into a person’s early twenties. Introducing alcohol during this developmental stage may cause permanent damage.
Extensive studies comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brains of adolescents 14 to 21 years old who had abused alcohol with a similar population of those who did not drink showed significant differences. One of the most startling results was that the drinkers had, on average, a 10 percent smaller hippocampus.
The hippocampus is a part of the brain that helps us not only to file away memories but also to connect these memories to other related memories in order to give them meaning. This kind of unconscious recognition is crucial for reasoning and learning. In fact, studies have shown that alcohol damage to the hippocampus during the adolescent years results in problems with vocabulary and visual-spatial learning. Furthermore, those with this type of damage perform poorly in school, often falling behind and experiencing social problems, depression, and even suicidal thoughts as a result.
Alcohol ingestion during adolescence can also damage the prefrontal area of the brain. This is an area that is often called the “CEO of the brain” because it helps us to sort through conflicting thoughts and make decisions based upon what is socially acceptable or what is the best thing to do in a certain situation. The prefrontal area of the brain plays an important part in the formation of adult personality and behavior.
Many experts believe that those who drink frequently during the period of time that the brain is developing may never catch up with important learning and emotional and social growth that is missed due to alcohol use.
Labels: teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drinking
Boston Parents Renew Efforts Against Drunk Driving
More than 100 concerned parents congregated this week at a high school in the suburbs of Boston to discuss new measures against teen drunk driving. According to the story published in The Boston Globe, Newton South High School called the meeting in response to three car accidents that occurred in one weekend last month. All three accidents involved students from the school, and all three involved drunken driving. Principal Brian Salzer said to parents:
"I don't want you to feel like you are being lectured. …This [meeting] is to answer the question, 'What are we doing?' What are the school, police and district attorney's office doing to help kids around drinking and driving?' "
At the meeting, parents received information from police officials, former students, school officials, and a prosecutor. Parent reported that this information was helpful.
Area police reportedly asked parents to inform the police of house parties, which they called “a real serious problem and a hard one to manage.” The police said they were more interested in keeping intoxicated party-goers off the road than anything else.
(Sources: Boston.com)
Labels: parents, teen-drinking
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
Helping a Friend With a Substance Abuse Problem
I realize that I talk a lot in my blog about the high probability that teens will use or experiment with drugs and alcohol. While this is true, I think it’s also important to talk about the teens who don’t use drugs or drink alcohol, but who may have friends that do drugs and drink. For teens who have friends or loved ones with substance abuse problems, it is important to provide information about getting help for those loved ones in order to help them get back on the right path.
It can be a really sad and scary experience to see your friends get involved in drugs. We have been taught that drugs and alcohol can be really dangerous, and to see someone that you care about do things that you know will hurt them can be hard. That is why it’s really important to be aware of the signs of teen drug and alcohol abuse so that you can get help for someone you care about who has a substance abuse problem.
There are a lot of things you can do to help a friend with a substance abuse problem. One of the easiest things to do is set a good example for that friend. As I’ve mentioned in the past, the most important people in a teen’s life is usually their friends. You’re parents will always be important, but the people who are most influential are your friends. As a teen it can be hard to resist the peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol, but by doing so you are creating a positive image for the rest of your friends to follow.
For a lot of teens, there is no motivation to stop using drugs. Most teens know that drugs can do serious damage, but a lot of teens ignore these consequences and do drugs anyway. There is a variety of reasons that can explain why teens use drugs, ranging from peer pressure to self-medication, and it can be difficult to confront a friend about their problem with substance abuse. It might be hard, but it is important to let your friends know how you really feel about their drug and alcohol abuse. If you need additional support when talking to a friend, talk to your parents or an adult that you trust to offer their support. While it might be scary to help a friend with their substance abuse problem by confronting them about it, you will be doing them a favor in the long run. They might be mad at you at first, but they will thank you later.
While some teen substance abuse remains casual and you can convince your friends to stop using drugs before it gets to serious. Unfortunately, sometimes a friend has gotten so deep into their drug abuse and addiction that it is necessary to take more drastic steps in helping them overcome their addiction. One of these steps is an intervention. Teen drug interventions are when friends and family members come together to offer their support and tell the addict that they need to get help. If you think that one of your friends is in need of an intervention, talk to their parents or an adult that you trust.
As a teenager, the opinion of friends and peers are very important, and it is your responsibility to use that influence in a positive way. While there are people who will try to get you to do things that you know are wrong, you should remember that you can be a positive influence in the lives of your friends rather than a negative influence. If you or someone you know has a problem with drug and alcohol abuse or addiction, it is important to get help. By getting help, you are helping yourself or a friend to get back on the right path away from drugs and alcohol.
Labels: at-risk-teens, teen-addiction, teen-drinking, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab, teen-substance-abuse
Why Teens Use Drugs
When teens start to use drugs, a lot of parents and friends usually feel confused about why their loved ones are doing something that they know is wrong. For a lot of people, the decision to start using drugs does not make a lot of sense, but there are a variety of reasons that explain why teens start using drugs. Being a teenager creates a whole list of emotional and physical issues that can be really difficult to deal with, and can lead to teenage substance abuse.
In this post, I want to outline some of reasons why teens use drugs and alcohol.
1. Peer Pressure: When teens are around their friends at a party or after school, they will be more likely to use drugs if their friends are using drugs too. Most teens know that drugs are wrong, but if everyone else is using drugs, that drug use becomes an instant way to fit in. And vice versa, if you refuse to use drugs you could run the risk of isolating yourself from everyone. Peer pressure plays a very big role in teen drug abuse because in general, teens are more worried about what their friends think, and if a teen’s friends are using drugs, it is likely that that teen will start to use drugs as well.
2. Self-medication: When teens face challenges, drugs often seem like an easy way to escape those challenges. For teens, problems with school, family, friends, etc. can all seem to go away when they are using drugs. Some teens also deal with issues like depression, and using drugs helps them to feel better. They don’t have to worry about homework, chores, or arguments; all they have to worry about is getting high. Because of this, a lot of teens turn to drugs to cover up the problems that they are facing. When teens feel unhappy or uncomfortable, they can just get high and for a few hours their problems go away. Unfortunately, this drug use can create more problems than it solves.
3. Rebellion and Experimentation: As a teen, you are experiencing new things and meeting new people, and sometimes part of those new experiences can include experimentation with alcohol and other drugs. Teens want to break away from their parents and try new things, and they see drugs as a way to do that. Everybody tells teens that drugs are bad, but when you’re a teenager, all you care about are your friends and having a good time. Most teens see experimentation as harmless, but what a lot of teens don’t count on is that they continue to use drugs and alcohol and eventually become dependent on those substance and develop an addiction.
4. Lack of strong parental guidance: A lot of parents want to be friends with their teens, and as a result don’t set a lot of boundaries or rules for their teens. This can be a costly mistake. Without guidance from parents, teens are very susceptible to falling into destructive behaviors such as substance abuse. I’ve even heard stories of parents who let their teens drink at home because they think that they will be safer. This kind of behavior and lack of guidance creates the message that drug and alcohol abuse are okay and that there won’t be negative consequences to that substance abuse. By creating boundaries and rules, parents can help protect their teens from substance abuse.
These four reasons are only a part of why teens abuse drugs and alcohol. Every teen is different and every teen has their own motivations for using drugs and alcohol. However, the goal of this list is to show teens and their parents some of the motivating factors of teen drug abuse so that friends and parents of a teen with a drug problem can recognize the signs of teen substance abuse, and can then get help for that teen. Because everybody has different reasons for abusing drugs and alcohol, it is also important to find a treatment program that will suit the specific needs of that individual. Getting help for your teen can help get them back on the right track and can help them to deal with the problems that prompted their drug use in the first place.
Labels: 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
