Drug addiction is a disease. It is not too dissimilar from asthma, diabetes, or hypertension, in the way that it requires treatment. Teens who suffer from drug addiction cannot just “get over it” or quit because they are supposed to. Drugs addiction means a serious psychological and physical dependency on a substance that may require both counseling and medical help, as well as a residential treatment facility. There are drug and alcohol rehab centers across the world that are available to help teens overcome their problems with drug abuse.
Teen drug addiction can be especially trying. Adolescence is a particularly difficult time during which most kids just want to fit in. Coping with the idea that they have a disease such as drug or alcohol dependency isn't always an easy thing for them to come to terms with. In general it isn't easy for anyone, but it seems especially hard for teens. They tend to be non compliant and fight against receiving help. Often teens placed in residential treatment centers become homesick or rebel against authorities. Many of them eventually drop out against medical advice. This is particularly concerning because without proper treatment, relapse rates are high. Plus, there there is a direct correlation between the length of treatment and the successfulness of the recovery.
In order to assist a teen in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction, the support of family and friends is vital. They need constant encouragement to stay on the course of their treatment plan. Plus, they will need continual support after treatment to help them avoid a possible relapse. While in rehab, your teen will undergo around the clock supervision from a support staff, as well as meet regularly with behavioral therapists, and have access to a medical physician.
Residential treatment centers are one of the most aggressive ways to fight drug addiction. However, they also provide the greatest success rates. When choosing a program, it is important to research their success rates, find out if they accept your insurance, and look into how much family involvement they promote for your teens recovery. Drug addiction is a serious illness, but with the right treatment, your teen can continue the rest of their life drug free.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sudden Death From Huffing
While there are a number of anti-drug campaigns that focus on illegal drug use, many people fail to put the same effort into the prevention of huffing, sniffing, or inhaling common household agents to get high. A new study released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) just presented ground breaking news, indicating that 12-year-old kids are more likely to use common household substances to get high, than they are to use cigarettes or marijuana. However, huffing dangerous and can even can cause instant death.
A survey by the SAMHSA that was administered Nationally between 2006 and 2008 suggests that 7% of all 12-year-olds have used inhalants to get high. It's alarming that this is such a young age. A number of children in the 11-13 year old age group don't understand the risks that are involved with inhaling. They can become addicted, damage brain tissue, or even die of asphyxiation or cardiac arrest. Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome can even occur during a child's first attempt at huffing. Some of these young kids believe that there is no real danger behind using inhalants to get high, as they do not consider them to be a “real drug.”
Huffing abuse can be difficult to identify in young kids. While sometimes a change in friends can indicate the potential for drug abuse, it seem that even the “good kids” are getting into trouble with huffing. Also, the inhalants used for getting high are generally common household products, so there is often little evidence that indicates the need for concern. Nail polish, shoe polish, air freshener, aerosol computer cleaner, hair spray, glue, and various house cleaning products are among the more common substances being abused.
The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is dedicating a week to the prevention of huffing that begins March 14th 2010. Awareness needs to be made about the dangers of teenage inhalant use, orhuffing, to young age groups. Be sure to talk to your kids about huffing, before they are exposed to it by peers.
A survey by the SAMHSA that was administered Nationally between 2006 and 2008 suggests that 7% of all 12-year-olds have used inhalants to get high. It's alarming that this is such a young age. A number of children in the 11-13 year old age group don't understand the risks that are involved with inhaling. They can become addicted, damage brain tissue, or even die of asphyxiation or cardiac arrest. Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome can even occur during a child's first attempt at huffing. Some of these young kids believe that there is no real danger behind using inhalants to get high, as they do not consider them to be a “real drug.”
Huffing abuse can be difficult to identify in young kids. While sometimes a change in friends can indicate the potential for drug abuse, it seem that even the “good kids” are getting into trouble with huffing. Also, the inhalants used for getting high are generally common household products, so there is often little evidence that indicates the need for concern. Nail polish, shoe polish, air freshener, aerosol computer cleaner, hair spray, glue, and various house cleaning products are among the more common substances being abused.
The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is dedicating a week to the prevention of huffing that begins March 14th 2010. Awareness needs to be made about the dangers of teenage inhalant use, orhuffing, to young age groups. Be sure to talk to your kids about huffing, before they are exposed to it by peers.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Teen Smoking
According to smoking statistics, approximately 80% of adult smokers began smoking as teens. Each day more than 3,000 youth become new smokers. Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death, killing more than 440,000 people in the United States each year. It is the cause of more deaths than motor vehicle accidents, alcohol, and AIDS combined. Raising awareness of the prevalence and dangers of teen smoking may assist in keeping our youth tobacco free.
It is important to talk to every child about tobacco use from a young age. However, some teens are at greater risk for this self destructive behavior than others. According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic, only 2% of teen smokers do not have a parent who also smokes. Setting a good example might be the most powerful tool for preventing teen tobacco use. Some other contributing factors of teenage smoking include a low socio-economic status, lack of parental involvement/support, low self-esteem, and peer pressure.
Teen smoking is associated with other behavioral issues, such as drug and alcohol use, violence, and high risk sexual behavior. Plus, it is a major risk for lung cancer or other types of cancer and lung illness. Smoking is so addictive that even most teens who smoke regularly state the desire to be able to quit. Even though they will admit they knew it was unhealthy when they took up the habit, they still made the decision to smoke. However, there are many tactful approaches for raising tobacco free teens.
It is important to talk to every child about tobacco use from a young age. However, some teens are at greater risk for this self destructive behavior than others. According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic, only 2% of teen smokers do not have a parent who also smokes. Setting a good example might be the most powerful tool for preventing teen tobacco use. Some other contributing factors of teenage smoking include a low socio-economic status, lack of parental involvement/support, low self-esteem, and peer pressure.
Teen smoking is associated with other behavioral issues, such as drug and alcohol use, violence, and high risk sexual behavior. Plus, it is a major risk for lung cancer or other types of cancer and lung illness. Smoking is so addictive that even most teens who smoke regularly state the desire to be able to quit. Even though they will admit they knew it was unhealthy when they took up the habit, they still made the decision to smoke. However, there are many tactful approaches for raising tobacco free teens.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Teen Marijuana Use
Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit substance among teens. Although it is one of nature's herbs and considered a natural substance, this drug contains THC, a mind altering substance, as well as 400 other chemicals. Many of these chemicals are carcinogenic. Plus, marijuana is often combined with other illicit substances. Use of this drug affects judgment and decision making abilities, impairs driving, and has been associated with decreasing one's personal motivation. Although there are multiple associated risks, marijuana use continues to be a problem among our youth.
Contrary to popular belief, not all, or even most teens use marijuana. In fact, fewer than one in five high school seniors is a current marijuana user. One recent survey showed that only 15.6% of 16 to 17 year olds report using marijuana in the past month. The teens who are using marijuana often do so because of peer pressure, the attention the drug gets in the media, and the examples of older siblings or other family members. However, marijuana is illegal because it's effect on behavior and health can be dangerous. Plus, some experts consider it to be a “gateway drug” that leads to harder drug use.
Marijuana posed several immediate and long term risks. It affects many of the skills needed for driving. A recent study in Memphis revealed that of a group of 150 reckless driver, 33% tested positive for marijuana use. Other tests have shown that smoking marijuana creates that same lack of coordination that is associated with drunk driving, causing delayed responses to sights and sounds. In addition, marijuana use has been associated with an increased risk for teen pregnancy and other reckless behaviors. Long term marijuana use may lead to cancer or addiction in some individuals.
Talk to your teens about the dangers of marijuana use. Encourage them to make good decisions and respond appropriately to peer pressure. If you suspect your teen may be using marijuana or another illicit substance, seek professional guidance, 4drugrehab.com is a great resource for all types of treatment centers.
Contrary to popular belief, not all, or even most teens use marijuana. In fact, fewer than one in five high school seniors is a current marijuana user. One recent survey showed that only 15.6% of 16 to 17 year olds report using marijuana in the past month. The teens who are using marijuana often do so because of peer pressure, the attention the drug gets in the media, and the examples of older siblings or other family members. However, marijuana is illegal because it's effect on behavior and health can be dangerous. Plus, some experts consider it to be a “gateway drug” that leads to harder drug use.
Marijuana posed several immediate and long term risks. It affects many of the skills needed for driving. A recent study in Memphis revealed that of a group of 150 reckless driver, 33% tested positive for marijuana use. Other tests have shown that smoking marijuana creates that same lack of coordination that is associated with drunk driving, causing delayed responses to sights and sounds. In addition, marijuana use has been associated with an increased risk for teen pregnancy and other reckless behaviors. Long term marijuana use may lead to cancer or addiction in some individuals.
Talk to your teens about the dangers of marijuana use. Encourage them to make good decisions and respond appropriately to peer pressure. If you suspect your teen may be using marijuana or another illicit substance, seek professional guidance, 4drugrehab.com is a great resource for all types of treatment centers.
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