More Than 100 Studies Show Pot Harms the Adolescent BrainTeen Drug AddictionBy The Right StepDecember 28, 2013With marijuana being legalized for medicinal and recreational use in more and more states, it will be that much easier for teens to obtain the drug, and scientists say states should consider the damage.
How to Stay Sober When Your Partner Parties This Holiday SeasonAddiction RecoveryBy The Right StepDecember 27, 2013Avoiding the temptation to drink too much when your partner insists on partying hard this holiday season isn’t an impossible goal. With a little preparation, self-awareness and taking proactive steps, you can manage to stay sober – despite what your partner may do.
Rehab – The Gift that Keeps on GivingAlcohol and Drug TreatmentBy The Right StepDecember 21, 2013When the sounds Jingle Bells and Auld Lang Syne trigger the urge to blot everything out with alcohol or drugs, instead of succumbing to the same-old destructive behavior, why not do something different this year? While you may not put inpatient rehab at the top of your holiday list, here are some very compelling reasons…
Teen Drinking and Driving and Homecoming a Deadly MixTeen DrinkingBy The Right StepDecember 19, 2013As homecoming season approaches, girls are worried about what dress to wear, guys worry about whether they’ll find a date and parents worry about kids drinking and driving. While parents are correct to be concerned about the temptation and dangers of drinking and driving, having a frank discussion with teens about the realities of underage…
Smoking in Movies May Encourage Teen Tobacco UseTeen Drug AddictionBy The Right StepDecember 16, 2013Parents concerned about the movies their kids watch tend to watch for sexually explicit scenes or the use of profane language. Even the disrespectful tone of a young character may lead parents to limit their child’s exposure to a movie. However, there are other things you may need to watch for when deciding what’s appropriate…
Five Mental Illnesses Genetically LinkedMental HealthBy The Right StepDecember 12, 2013Determining the genes that contribute to illnesses is an important step in understanding how disease begins, the causes, how to treat them and how to prevent them. That is no different, whether the disease under investigation is a physical or a mental illness. Mental health disorders are not always straightforward; they are caused by a…
Teens With Bipolar Disorder More Likely Than Peers to Have Substance Use DisorderTeen Mental HealthBy The Right StepDecember 9, 2013Research has shown that having one form of mental illness puts a person at risk for a second form of mental illness. A 2008 study took a narrow look at how teenage onset bipolar disorder (BPD) may predispose a young person for a substance use disorder (SUD). The research concluded that people who are diagnosed…
Alcohol Advertising to Children and Teens is on the RiseTeen DrinkingBy The Right StepDecember 6, 2013Despite efforts by educators and parents to shield children and teens, there are ample opportunities for underage consumers to be enticed by alcohol advertisements. Studies have shown that exposure to alcohol advertising increases the likelihood that a teen is engaged in underage drinking. In recent years, the alcoholic beverage industry has self-regulated to reduce the…
Alcohol Consumption Among TeensTeen DrinkingBy The Right StepDecember 4, 2013Middle schoolers are fresh out of the ‘little kid’ stage but have yet to enter into their full-fledged teen experience. Nonetheless, government reports say that these fresh-faced youngsters are already busy experimenting with alcohol. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) tracks drug and alcohol use in our country through its annual National…
Pioneering Study Finds Precursors for BPD in AdolescentsTeen Mental HealthBy The Right StepDecember 2, 2013Borderline personality disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by behaviors and emotions best described as impulsive and unstable. Those with BPD may have strong fears of abandonment and have difficulty controlling their anger. This leads to rocky relationships with others. Inner insecurities may cause them to take impulsive actions or do what is…