Featured Articles

As teen drug abuse becomes more widespread and drug dealing becomes a pretty profitable business, drug dealers have started using methods to lure younger and younger kids into drug abuse and addiction. One of the ways that drug dealers have been targeting younger users is by creating a cheap drug that appeals to kids and teens. A good example of this strategy is a drug called Cheese.

Cheese is made by combining heroin with crushed cold medicine tablets, and because it contains heroin, can result in addiction. Some dealers even add strawberry of grape flavoring to the cheese so that kids will be more likely to use it. Cheese is also very inexpensive, and it seems pretty harmless, so it appeals to kids and teens who dont have a lot of money, but want to experiment with drugs.

It might seem like Cheese is harmless because theres not a lot of heroin in it, its cheap, and it tastes good, but it can result in teen drug addiction and even death. In Dallas, 21 kids and teens have died from an overdose after using cheese. Cheese is dangerous because a lot of the time kids think that they are getting a low dose of heroin, but most dealers dont closely monitor the amount of heroin in each dose of cheese and some doses have a much higher amount of heroin. When this happens, the potential for overdose and death are much higher. Its practically impossible to know how much heroin is in a single dose of Cheese and that is why it is so dangerous.

The thing that I find most troubling about Cheese is that it specifically targets young teens. By selling to young kids, drug dealers are creating long-term clients. If a kid becomes addicted to drugs when theyre 12, theyre more likely to use drugs through their teen years and into adulthood, and drug dealers are ensuring that they will have a client for a long time.

Cheese is a growing problem that more teens and parents need to be aware of. Teens need to realize that drug dealers arent trying to help you, but are only interested in making more money for themselves. It is important to realize that there are negative consequences to any kind of substance abuse. As a teen it is easy to give in to peer pressure and try drugs just because your friends are doing it, but you could be putting your life at risk.

If you think you have a problem with substance abuse, it is important to get help. Dont let yourself be fooled by drug dealers and other people doing drugs. By doing drugs, you are setting yourself up for addiction and all of the consequences of addiction. Talk to a friend or a parent in order to get help for your addiction or substance abuse problem.

Labels: teen-addiction, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, at-risk-teens, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 0 Comments

I decided to change things up a bit today, so todays 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 wont happen to their child, or that their child knows better. Parents often think that theyre 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 teens life. Make sure you know where theyre 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 cant go out. The most important thing you can do with your teen to prevent teen substance abuse is to tell your teen that you dont 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 thats 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 cant 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: teen-addiction, teen-drinking, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-marijuana-abuse, teen-alcohol-abuse, at-risk-teens, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 1 Comment

Ive 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 havent changed at all. Even though you might have changed, your friends who used drugs probably havent. 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 theyve completed their 60 days in rehab theyre 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: teen-addiction, teen-drinking, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-depression, teen-alcohol-abuse, at-risk-teens, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 0 Comments

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 its also important to talk about the teens who dont 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 its 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 Ive mentioned in the past, the most important people in a teens life is usually their friends. Youre 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: teen-addiction, teen-drinking, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, at-risk-teens, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 0 Comments

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 teens 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 dont 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 youre 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 dont 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 dont 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. Ive 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 wont 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-drinking, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-depression, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 0 Comments

Marijuana is one of the most popular drugs among teens and is usually one of the first drugs abused by teens. Im sure as a teen you know someone who uses marijuana, and it is likely that you might even use marijuana yourself. Marijuana, weed, pot, etc. is popular because its really easy to get and most teens dont think its dangerous. For a lot of teens, marijuana isnt even classified as a drug. Heroin is a drug. Cocaine is a drug. But not marijuana. You cant overdose on marijuana and its a plant, so what could be the harm?

For one thing, there are plenty of plants that are poisonous and harmful to both humans and animals, so the whole Its safe because its a plant argument should just be abandoned altogether. The idea that marijuana isnt as dangerous as hard drugs like cocaine is also false. Marijuana, like cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, meth, etc., has its own set of negative consequences.

Teen marijuana use can lead to problems with memory in the short term and the long term. Like alcohol, marijuana can also make you do things while you are high that you wouldnt do when youre sober, like driving while under the influence of having unprotected sex. Smoking pot can cause you to lose your ambition, and can even result in a lack of interest in appearance, friends, family, sports, etc.

Another common misconception about marijuana is that it is not addictive. A lot of teens, and even adults, dont think that they can become addicted to marijuana. The earlier a teen starts using marijuana, the greater their risk for addiction. When you use marijuana every day, you begin to feel dependent on it, and you want it more and more just to feel normal. But as you use marijuana more and more, the things that used to be important to you begin to fade away. You dont care about school or sports or your friends. You just want to lie around and smoke pot.

I think the bottom line about pot is that teens need to accept personal responsibility and accountability. Usually when something seems to go to be true, it is too good to be true. Dont be naïve and think that marijuana is this great drug that makes you relaxed and happy, but doesnt have any side effects. Take responsibility for yourself and if you have a problem, it is important to recognize the signs of teen marijuana abuse so that you can get help for yourself. For parents, if you think your teen has a problem, find a treatment center for marijuana abuse so that your teen can get their lives back and regain the passion and enthusiasm that they once had.

Labels: teen-addiction, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-marijuana-abuse, teen-depression, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 0 Comments

I was watching TV last night and I saw a PSA (public service announcement) about a 21 year old girl who died the third time that she used ecstasy. Usually I just ignore the majority of public service announcements because Im pretty much aware of the information that they are telling me. This one was different though because I didnt know that you could die from using ecstasy. I know that it wasnt good for you, but I didnt know that it could kill you. Then I thought, well since I didnt know this, a lot of other people probably dont know that about ecstasy either. And now here we are.

So if you have read this blog, you know how I feel about teen drug use (its a bad idea). Ecstasy is no exception. What makes teen ecstasy abuse such an serious issue is that it is pretty easily accessible, and as a result, is easily abused. Because ecstasy is known to produce feelings of happiness and love, a lot of teens use ecstasy at parties and raves as a way to have a good time. And while ecstasy can be a good time, it also results in some really scary and dangerous consequences.

First I want to talk about the physical consequences of teen ecstasy abuse. Then Ill get to the psychological consequences (which are also pretty bad). Some of the physical consequences of ecstasy abuse include:

" muscle tension
" nausea
" blurred visions
" fainting
" increased blood pressure and heart rate
" overdose and death

When you take ecstasy, your heart rate increases and your body can overheat, causing dehydration, seizures, liver failure, cardiovascular problems, and death.

Along with these physical consequences of ecstasy use, there are also psychological consequences that effect teens who use ecstasy. These psychological effects include:

" anxiety
" confusion
" depression
" intense fear
" memory loss

These psychological factors can last even after you have stopped using ecstasy and can cause sever disruptions in your life and your normal daily functioning.

Like other drugs, ecstasy can be harmful and can result in death. A lot of teens also put themselves in danger when they decide that they want to take multiple doses of ecstasy in order to prolong their high. This is another reason why ecstasy is so dangerousthis increase in dosage can cause your heart rate to increase and can result in dehydration, which can result in death.

Ecstasy is not something to be taken lightly, and just because it makes you feel good doesnt mean that it is harmless. Ecstasy can have serious and long-lasting consequences on your mind and body. Parents and friends should know the signs of teen ecstasy abuse so that if someone you love is abusing ecstasy, you can get them help before they do permanent damage to their minds and bodies.

Labels: teen-addiction, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-depression, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab, teen-ecstasy-abuse

Posted By: beth 0 Comments

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 isnt 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 dont inject drugs, and therefore arent at risk for HIV/AIDS. But even though you dont 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 dont think youre directly at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS doesnt mean that you dont 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 dont 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 arent 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: teen-addiction, teen-drinking, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-alcohol-abuse, at-risk-teens, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 0 Comments

Since the Major League Baseball All-Star Game was this week, it seems fitting that to do a post about teen steroid abuse. I dont want to get in to the debate about whether baseball players really use steroids, because thats not the point. Im more concerned with the teen athletes who use steroids in order to boost their chances of making the team, to get the girl or guy, or to get that six-pack.

In high school, there is a lot of pressure to be the star athlete or to have the perfect body. Sometimes, this pressure just gets to be too much, and steroids are a really easy way to boost athletic performance or to get the body that you want. The great thing about steroids for a lot of teens is that they dont even consider them to be drugs. I mean, you can get them from a doctor and pro athletes use them, so what can be so bad?

While its true that steroids can be prescribed by a doctor, most of the cases of steroid use that you hear about in the new and that are really harmful are unprescribed. Like the abuse of other substances, the abuse of steroids can lead to serious health problems. However, even some patients who use steroids with a prescription can have side effects.

Some of the consequences of teen steroid use include:

"heart attack and stroke
"liver and kidney damage, leading to internal bleeding
"acne, baldness, and oily hair (this might work against any hotness that you feel like youre gaining with your steroid created hot body)
"for girls, steroids can result in facial hair, shrinking of breasts, and deepened voice
"for guys, steroids can result in shrinking of the testicles, development of breasts, and infertility
"steroids can also make you irritable and irrational (roid rage), which can result in suicidal feelings
"steroids are addictive

I think this last point is something that not everyone is aware of. Steroids are addictive, and if you stop using steroids you can experience withdrawal symptoms.

Steroids are a lot more dangerous than people think. Theyre not just harmless way to bulk up. They can do serious damage physically and mentally, especially in teens who are still growing and whose brains are still developing. You may achieve the perfect body, but there is a chance that you could do damage to your body and could alienate yourself from the people that you love.

If you or someone you know has a problem with steroids or any other drug, it is important to get help.

Labels: prescription-drug-abuse, teen-addiction, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-depression, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 1 Comment

If you ask me, theres 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) youre 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 arent 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 dont take the process seriously, then what does that tell teens who have substance abuse problems?

Teen drug rehab isnt glamorous, its not a vacation, and its not easy. Even though rehab might not be fun, it is a necessary step in recovery from addiction. Like Ive 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. Its pretty naïve to think that once youre done with rehab, youll 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 isnt supposed to be a vacation; its supposed to be difficult, but a long life of recovery is much better than a short life of addiction.

Labels: teen-addiction, teen-drinking, teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse, teen-drug-help, teen-alcohol-abuse, teen-drug-rehab, teen-rehab

Posted By: beth 0 Comments