Parents across the U.S. are understandably concerned about the possibility that their children will get involved in some form of drug abuse. While worries may center on teenagers, you may also wonder if your pre-teen child has any significant risk for drug abuse. Nationwide figures indicate that drug use at this age is somewhat common,…
Benzodiazepines are a category of psychiatric medications that work on specific neurotransmitters in the brain to produce a calming effect. They are used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, seizures and sleep disorders. When taken as prescribed and to treat specific conditions, these medications aren’t typically dangerous, but there is the potential for benzodiazepines addiction…
Teen drug use and depression sometimes go hand-in-hand. Some individuals may turn to drugs in order to “self-medicate” feelings of depression. Drugs often provide a powerful feeling of euphoria, well-being or razor-sharp focus. Unfortunately, once these temporary effects wear off, the depression symptoms are often felt more strongly than ever. This leads to a vicious…
In a newly released full report, Virginia’s Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) found that 26 teen overdose deaths that occurred in the state between 2009 and 2013 were fully preventable. The state’s CFRT studied the issue in response to the increase in overdose deaths throughout the state and across age groups. The number of deaths…
Researchers from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital have recently discovered that the number of children younger than 6 years old exposed to marijuana is rising. Results from their study, published online in the journal Clinical Pediatrics in June 2015, showed a 147.5% increase in marijuana exposure among those under the age of 6 between 2006 and…
Compared to recent generations, teenagers today are increasingly less likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or abuse several kinds of drugs and medications. Still, teens all across the country continue to develop serious substance problems, up to and including addiction. For a number of reasons, substance treatment facilities must find ways to tailor their programs…
Talking with teens can be tricky at best. If they perceive judgment, they’ll shut down faster than you can say “Snapchat.” Using an interview technique called motivational interviewing, professionals and family members can find ways to talk with teens, even about difficult subjects — including addiction — without triggering the shut-down response.
A small but significant number of American teenagers use the illegal stimulant drug cocaine at least once a year. Unfortunately, exposure to cocaine (or any other drug) at this age can disrupt the natural course of brain growth and development. One of the potential consequences of this altered brain function is an increased chance of…
Peer pressure and “fitting in” are two of the top reasons many adolescents make the choice to experiment with drugs. Drug abuse among teens is a problem in communities and homes. In a recent study, 35% of high school seniors said that they had consumed alcohol in the previous month while 21% had smoked marijuana…
Recent studies have shown that the family and school environments can both protect Hispanic teens from and put them at risk for substance abuse. Many factors go into the initiation of substance abuse, including individual factors. However, the latest research is helping to pinpoint how external, social factors affect young Hispanics and may either lead…