Addiction
Does Drug Testing Affect How Teens Look at Drug Abuse?
After several years of decline in the rates of teen drug and alcohol use, there appears to be a slight increase in abuse by teens. Finding the most effective and cost-friendly way to prevent drug and alcohol use is an ongoing concern, and one that takes on heightened importance as the substances kids are using become ever more potent and dangerous.
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Effective Drug Abuse Prevention Focuses on Personality
Early initiation of illegal substances such as alcohol and drugs can amplify many of their risks. Experts believe that some of the effects of drugs and alcohol may be more potent in teens because the brain is still developing, causing changes in cognitive structure and function.
Girls Abusing Substances at Rates Sometimes Higher than Boys
Research has shown boys have traditionally engaged in more drug and alcohol abuse than girls. But that’s starting to change. Today more girls are abusing prescription drugs than boys and more girls are drinking than ever before, and it can be a struggle knowing if a teen girl has a substance abuse problem.
Cocaine Prevents Fat Storage, Study Finds
Many people addicted to cocaine gain substantial amounts of weight once they enter recovery, and the mental/physical effects of this weight gain can contribute significantly to the risks for relapse and a return to drug use. Until now, doctors and researchers have tied weight gain in recovering cocaine addicts to the urge to replace drug consumption with food consumption. However, according to the results of a study published in August 2013 by the University of Cambridge, long-term cocaine use may actually lay the groundwork for recovery-related weight gain by altering the body’s ability to properly store fat.
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Factors That Contribute to Repeated Suicide Attempts in Teens
Preventing teen suicide is a murky science. Though there are many mental disorders associated with suicidal ideation, often a suicide attempt is the first indication that a mental disorder is in play.
Teens Advised to Stop Taking Stimulants as “Study Drugs”
The pressure that teens face as they maneuver through high school and into applying for college often results in sleep issues, anxiety and other problems. In order to fit in adequate time for extracurricular activities, which can boost a student’s chances of college acceptance, students often struggle to devote enough time to academics.
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Parental Guidance to Help Teens Avoid Drug and Alcohol Abuse
As a parent, if you know how to talk and listen with your child you can better help them avoid drug and alcohol abuse.
Parents are encouraged to have caring and intimate talks with their children all throughout their childhood – one talk about drugs and alcohol is not enough. As young minds develop over the years, their views, opinions, awareness and desires change. At some stages of a child’s life discussions about drugs and alcohol may be long and intense. Other times it might be a few sentences that point out a healthy lifestyle choice or a wise decision.
If parents suspect that their teen may have used or may be using either drugs or alcohol the parents should not be secretive about it as it’s often best to confront the teen about their behavior. Parents should make the teen aware they know what’s going on and that they don’t condone their actions. Through talks with their teen, parents can clearly set their rules about the use of drugs and alcohol and set appropriate consequences if those rules are broken.
Some teens may claim that their parents just don’t understand, with the parents doing much more talking than listening. It’s important for parents to hear their teen’s thoughts, concerns and daily pressures. Through a trusting relationship a parent may be able to sense when their teen needs help to avoid alcohol or drug abuse. Moms and dads can even offer to be the “excuse” when teens want to say no to drug and alcohol use with friends, letting their teens know they’re working with them to stay healthy.
Knowing their teens’ friends and meeting the parents of those friends allows better communication and awareness of possible dangers, such as when a party might be in works, and can let their kids know they can call any time with any concerns.
When all parents are watching out for their children bonds can be formed between families to secure the safety of all of their children.
Seniors Selling Prescription Drugs for Food
The prescription drug epidemic is getting a lot of coverage in the media, but some stories still have the power to take you by surprise. According to a report from Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, senior citizens are increasingly turning to prescription drug dealing to meet their living expenses. The tale is shocking but has a deeper, profound sadness because of what seniors are feeling they have to do in order to have a steady supply of money—not to mention the moral bankruptcy of the dealers who take medicine that elderly people obviously need in order to meet their clients’ drug demands. It isn’t a throwaway headline about “grandma the drug dealer.” It’s a sad indictment of the state of society. Full Story
How Will New Marijuana Laws Affect Public Health?
The United Nations has spoken publicly against new U.S. laws that make marijuana use legal in a few states. The U. N. official who heads up international drug monitoring has said that the new laws pave the way for increased recreational marijuana use. With drugs representing a significant health problem around the world, the U.N. ambassadors do not see decriminalization as a step in the right direction. Full Story
Helping Family and Friends Understand Addiction and Recovery
Most people, unless they are addicts in recovery, have no real framework for understanding addiction and recovery. To them, eating and drinking are simply normal parts of life. There is no obsession or compulsion related to them. Thus it is often difficult for the family of an addict to understand what the addict is going through. The family may be well intentioned and may desire to be helpful, but their lack of experience with addiction means their attempts may not only be unhelpful, but even harmful. Full Story
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The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
