Teensavers Teen Drug Rehab

The latest results from an annual study about prescription drug abuse among teens, conducted by the Partnership for a Drug Free America, revealed some startling results. About 20 percent of teens reported participating in prescription drug abuse. About 20 percent of those reported abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.

Painkiller, stimulant, sedative and tranquilizer medications were among the prescription drugs most frequently abused by teens, according to the study. Painkillers are most popular among younger teens, while stimulants are more popular among older teens, the study found. Girls are slightly more likely to engage in prescription drug abuse than boys.

There is perhaps a feeling of comfort and safety with the idea of using prescription medications, because the drugs do have legitimate users. It may not seem like a terrible thing to teens because prescription drugs are widely available in household medicine cabinets. For that reason, it may seem much better than heroin. However, opioids are used in painkillers just as in heroin, and kids need to know that.

Doctors prescribe medicine and dosage based on a person’s individual needs. Without a proper prescription and physician directions, it is not appropriate for anyone to take prescription drugs. Honest, open conversation is the best way to educate kids about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, and probably at an earlier age than most parents would consider. Each day offers “teachable” moments to talk with kids about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs and other substances, and encourage kids to ask questions.

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Not surprisingly, one of the leading teen drug use trends is abuse of prescription medication, including cough medicine and Ritalin. The numbers of teens reportedly abusing prescription medicines is more than the combined rates of teen abuse of crack/cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and heroin. Adults have long been known to abuse prescription medication, even stealing and forging prescriptions to gain illegal access to the drugs. Thus, it is small wonder prescription meds have become a teen drug use trend.

Painkillers and antidepressants are among the most commonly abused substances. Painkillers have even been sold on the street at drastically increased prices for a number of years. Inhaling any chemical packaged in an aerosol can has also become a fast, cheap high for teens – and at alarmingly young ages. Inhalants and prescription drugs are particularly dangerous for young teens because of their ready availability around the house.

Standard drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana spiked in the 1970’s and are still popular today, though considerably less so. Parents should have honest, open conversations with young teens and pre-teens about the trends and why kids try them. This will not only potentially warn the teens off of destructive behavior, but also open open up a pathway of open, honest and constructive communication between parent and child. They may be more likely, therefore, to address questions about serious issues like drugs to their parent before their peers. This is a critical tool in the war on drugs. It starts at home. Research has repeatedly shown that learning about drugs and their dangers from parents cuts a child’s risk in half of trying to get high, having a drastic effect on the teen drug use trend.

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It is never easy to see a teen succumb to the temptation of drug abuse and fall into a pattern of teen drug addiction. The fact is, this is even more likely than ever before, as one out of every five eighth-graders reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetime. Behavior modification is one type of approach to teen drug rehabilitation. Another approach is court-mandated random drug testing and participation in community service outings and support group meetings with counselors and fellow teen drug addicts.

There are inpatient and outpatient facilities, after-school programs and summer camps. The options are many and widely diverse. Whereas with adults, successful drug rehabilitation usually first requires an admission that there is a problem requiring help, teens often lack the emotional maturity to do so. In the case of teen drug rehabilitation, there must be an impetus driving them to participate in drug rehabilitation. This is most often in the form of immediate consequences or punishment.

It may be that the court system offered the teen the option of avoiding jail time in exchange for successful completion of a drug rehabilitation program. It may be a parent threatening to remove privileges or impose punishments. There is a fine line to walk between tough parental love and potentially driving a rebellious teen further away, perhaps even out onto the streets. It may be appropriate for parent(s) to seek advice from a minister or licensed counselor or family therapist. Parent(s) should be willing to get involved, not only in their children’s lives to keep abreast of their daily activities, but also in the drug rehabilitation process. Therapy may require attendance by the parent(s) at times. Old family issues may be a driving force behind the teen drug abuse, so family therapy may be needed. Each situation must be weighed individually, regarding what type of drug rehabilitation and motivation is suitable.

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Teenagers value what their friends think, and they crave a sense of social belonging. Parents play an important role in shaping their teens’ outlook on the world, their self-confidence and their likelihood to fall into drug abuse. A recent survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed that the number one reason teens said they turn down offers to do drugs is that they don’t want to disappoint their parents.

Let kids know not only your expectations of them, but the possible repercussions of drug abuse. Don’t talk only about the punishment they will face, but also about the damage drug abuse causes to the body, mind, relationships, emotional state and life in general. Teens tend to respect someone who talks bluntly with them. It may mean facing difficult questions regarding the parents’ potential drug abuse in their life history. However, honest answers about the parents’ past choices and repercussions can paint a stark picture for teens of the dangers of drug abuse.

The good news is that alcohol and cigarette use among teens has declined slightly within the last couple years, as has methamphetamine and heroin abuse. Use of marijuana, the illegal drug most commonly abused by teens, fell dramatically within the last couple years. While abuse of the prescription drug Oxycontin fell slightly among seniors in high school, abuse of the drug among eighth-graders has more than doubled. Hallucinogens and ecstasy are both very popular drugs among this age group.

Source: NIDA Info Facts: High School and Youth Trends, http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/HSYouthtrends.html

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A person who reaches the age of 21 without ever having indulged in alcohol abuse is statistically proven to be far more likely to never succumb to the temptation. So how does a parent guide their youngster through the delicate, peer pressure-driven teen years on a course of sobriety?

First of all, parents may want to exercise some control over their teens’ peer group. The actions of friends have a significant effect on the teens’ actions. As far as parental actions are concerned, two things have been shown to be related to higher levels of drinking among adolescents. Those two things are: lack of support, monitoring and communication; and overly harsh and inconsistent discipline or hostility directed toward children. These are both significant predictors of alcohol-related problems among adolescents.

If it is too late to prevent a teen alcohol abuse problem, help may be sought through a variety of avenues. A drug rehab can offer tips on healthy ways to successfully fight alcoholic tendencies, as well as support throughout that journey. There are also support groups for parents of alcoholic teenagers.

A medical professional may also help assess any bodily harm done by heavy drinking thus far, and offer tips on how to transition into a healthier lifestyle and better behavior patterns. Therapists and psychologists may also be consulted for family therapy, group therapy or individual counseling. This can help work through a host of family and personal issues that may have contributed to the alcoholism.

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It is well-known that the majority of teenagers are easily influenced by peers. Thus, the right group of friends becomes all the more important. Teens who lead their friends down a path of drug abuse lead them down a dead-end road. Teen crack abuse is particularly dangerous because it is one of the most intensely addictive highs available. It causes users to quickly want more, facilitating the development of an intense, overpowering addiction. Because teenagers are still developing physically, emotionally and mentally, crack abuse can be even more dangerous for them.

Ongoing crack abuse can trigger or reveal previously dormant mental and emotional afflictions like schizophrenia, paranoia, depression, violent tendencies and even suicidal thoughts. Drugs like crack are particularly dangerous to teens because they have unpredictable effects on the body. The formula of the crack can be unpredictable as well; sometimes it is more potent, while other times it is diluted with filler material like sugar or baking soda. The teenage years are a roller coaster ride of emotions and hormones already, and crack exacerbates that.

There are some pretty clear signs indicating teen crack abuse:

• Insomnia
• Runny or bloody nose
• Seizures
• Restlessness
• Paranoia
• Lack of fatigue
• Extremely fast speech
• Hyperactivity
• Dilated eye pupils
• Drug-related items like small plastic baggies, mirrors, razor blades and spoons
• Growing disinterest in family activities and old friends
• New social circle
• Aggressiveness and hostility
• Depression and withdrawal
• Frequent requests for cash

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Fortunately, cocaine is one drug that has seen a decrease in popularity among teens. At its height of teen popularity in the 1970’s, cocaine disappeared for a while before reemerging stronger than ever on the teen drug scene in 1984. Teen cocaine abuse remained strong throughout the 1980’s and well into the 90’s. Unfortunately, the decline in teen cocaine abuse over the last 10 years or so has only brought an increase in other types of drugs.

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that can rapidly develop into a nasty, life-gripping habit. If you think your teen may be taking cocaine, watch for these signs (which may or may not definitely indicate a cocaine addiction):

• Red and bloodshot eyes.
• Runny nose and frequent sniffing.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Insomnia at night and sleeping a lot during the day.
• Sudden change in friends and groups within different ages.
• Sudden change in behaviors, like truancy, hostility or poor school performance.
• Frequent requests for money; theft and shoplifting.
• Withdrawal from old friends and the family; lack of interest in old activities.
• Depression, fatigue and careless about personal hygiene.

If you suspect teen cocaine abuse is a problem in your household or with a teen you know, don’t be afraid to gently and lovingly confront them. Encourage them to find help. Parents may even need to mandate that they find help, lest certain privileges be restricted or taken away altogether. Sometimes the immediate fear of loss may be the greatest impetus for a teen gripped by cocaine abuse. It can be difficult to gauge because, while parents usually know their child best, cocaine abuse often turns that child into a complete stranger. Parents may want to seek help from a teen drug rehab therapists, counselors, ministers or support groups for parents of teens abusing cocaine.

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When it comes to adolescent drug abuse, the earlier a parent or legal guardian intervenes with adolescent drug rehab, the better. Early intervention will increase the likelihood of successful adolescent drug rehabilitation and decrease the likelihood of progression toward harder, more harmful substances. So what signifies that it is time for adolescent drug rehab? Through careful observation, questioning and overall involvement in the child’s life, a parent or legal guardian will be in a better position to identify the telltale signs.
These can include:

• Behavioral challenges, lying, running away, missing curfew, etc.
• Poor performance in school
• Moodiness, withdrawal, isolation, depression, fatigue
• Abrupt changes in friendships
• Hostility, irritability, laziness
• Sloppy personal appearance and bad hygiene habits
• Bloodshot eyes, runny nose, sore throats, weight loss
• Memory deficiency, insomnia, decreased appetite
• Arrests for drug use or the discovery of paraphernalia like pipes, needles, rolling papers, or even the actual drugs.

During the process of adolescent drug rehab, relapses are quite common. Supportive friends and family members are an integral part of the adolescent drug rehab process. Active and rewarding lives will help distract adolescents from the temptations of returning to their old behavior patterns. Even if this relapse does occur, however, friends and family members should try to show patience, love and encouragement. This kind of support will help ensure that the money and time invested into adolescent drug rehab program reaps the ideal reward of a long, healthy and productive life for the adolescent.

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The signs of teenage drug addiction are many and varied. Some of the signs are difficult to discern from normal, adolescent behavior, so just because a teen demonstrates some of the signs does not necessarily mean that teen is suffering from a drug addiction. Signs to watch for are in the home and family life, as well as in school, academia and social life.

In the home, there may arise a sudden discord between the teen and relatives. A hostility and withdrawal never before seen may indicate a teen drug addiction. Missing curfew, becoming physically or verbally abusive, demanding or even stealing money and lying about activities are also warning signs. Of course, parents or legal guardians should also watch out for physical evidence of drugs such as bags, needles, rolling papers, weed, etc.

In school, dropping grades, missing homework, verbal or physical abuse directed toward peers or teachers and unexplained tardiness or absences are all signs of a possible teen drug addiction. A vibrant, socially outgoing, responsible and dependable teenager who suddenly acts withdrawn and disinterested in communication and interaction with all their old friends and social activities is virtually inexplicable.

In teens, a drug addiction will cause increased lethargy, poor personal hygiene, depression, severe weight loss or gain, mood swings and hypersensitivity and hostility to criticisms. Any of these signs should be an indication that it may be time to talk to your teen about drugs, gauge their reaction and try to get professional intervention before the teen’s drug addiction proceeds further.

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Cocaine is an offshoot of the Coca Leaf, which was once considered a perfectly legitimate, energizing and revitalizing item used for medical purposes. In the early days of Coca-Cola, it was even used as an ingredient. Concerns about health risks surfaced, however, and all products of the Coca Leaf went underground. Cocaine, the most powerful product of the Coca Leaf, surged to popularity in the 1980’s. It was dealt on the streets in small, cheap batches, often mixed with “fake” cocaine product like baking powder, sugar or laundry detergent. Cocaine is still a popular drug today, though not nearly as prevalent as a few decades ago. Cocaine can be found in powder form or in rock form, known as crack cocaine.

The powder form of cocaine is typically snorted or dissolved in liquid and injected. The rock form of cocaine is typically smoked. Cocaine may cause paranoia, hoarseness, a chronically runny or bloody nose, aggressiveness, rapid heart rate, insomnia, panic attacks, heart and lung disease and ultimately death. The more frequently a person uses cocaine, the shorter and less intense their high will be. However, a high typically lasts 5 to 10 minutes from smoking and 15 to 30 minutes from snorting. Cocaine is a very highly addictive and dangerous drug. When cocaine use is combined with alcohol consumption, the result can become deadly even faster.

Once formed, cocaine can be a very difficult habit to break. However, there are a variety of treatment options available. These range from support groups to behavioral therapy to substitute medicines that help ease the letdown during detox. It is important that a person makes the decision to seek recovery from cocaine addiction, to live the healthiest and most productive life possible – but no one can make that choice for the addict.

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