British psychologists have found that teen binge drinking causes losses in short-term memory.

Researchers at the University of Northumbria found that heavy drinking - five or more drinks in one sitting - caused teens to perform poorly on tests of memory. Particularly affected was "prospective memory," which involves remembering to do everyday tasks such as calling a friend. The students in the study were 17 to 19 years old.

Dr. Thomas Heffernan said the harm might become long-lasting or permanent. "They could be storing up problems for their futures," he said.

The study was presented at the conference of the British Psychological Society.

Read more about the long term effects of binge drinking at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: binge_drinking, effects, memory

Recently, the National Institute on Drug Abuse hosted its first-ever "Drug Facts Chat Day." The institute invited middle- and high-school students from across the country to submit questions about alcohol, drugs, addiction, and related issues. The questions were then answered by some of the nation's top experts in substance abuse.

"[Q} Would a kid get drunk or high faster than an adult? [A] You bet. A drug can have a larger effect on a child for many reasons. One reason is that children's and adult's brains are different."

Other questions included, "What percentage of high school students drink?" and "How do you know if you're an alcoholic?" Source: U.S. News and World Report

Labels: anti-drug_programs, awareness, prevention

If your child has been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires medication, they can carry around their prescriptions. But it's a different situation altogether when a teenager is found in possession of medications not belonging to her, as several Boulder, Colorado students found out last week.

"Three female Nevin Platt Middle School students were arrested on felony charges this week after an investigation into prescription-drug trading that sent a fourth girl home sick... one of the girls brought two types of prescription drugs - Strattera and Concerta, both used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - to the school..."

Prescription drug abuse is becoming increasingly common among teenagers, but few realize the dire consequences associated with using and distributing the drugs. Source: Boulder Daily Camera

Copper Canyon Academy all girls schools have a program to help girls struggling with risky behaviors such as drinking, drugging, and having sex. Learn more about their boarding schools for troubled teen girls at www.coppercanyonacademy.com.

Labels: arrested, consequences, prescription_drugs

The American Heart Association has recommended that young patients who come in with heart attack-like symptoms - but don't have heart disease risk factors - should be screened for cocaine use.

"The drug can cause chest pains, shortness of breath, anxiety, palpitations, dizziness, nausea and heavy sweating - all symptoms of a heart attack. 'Not knowing what you are dealing with and giving the wrong therapies could mean death rather than benefit,' said Dr. James Reiffel, professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital."

Although the drug causes heart attack-like symptoms, it rarely causes actual heart attacks. The AHA statement goes on to say that young people with cocaine-associated chest pain should be monitored so they're not given potentially life-threatening medications. Source: San Mateo Daily Journal

Labels: cocaine, heart_attack, hospitals

A few years ago, a group of new drugs looked like they held promise for use in the treatment of alcoholism, substance abuse, smoking cessation, and even obesity. Now, doctors are finding that these drugs have serious side effects for some patients.

Drugs like Chantix, Rimonabant, and Taranabant work by blocking the pleasure centers in the brain. However, they also put some patients at risk for depression and suicide. Certain drug makers are now advising doctors not to prescribe them to anyone with a history of depression.

Prescription drugs alone will never be able to treat addiction; behavior modification and therapy must be part of the treatment for long term recovery. Learn more about the fully integrated adolescent drug treatment program at North Star Center.

Labels: brain_chemistry, prescription_drugs, treatment

Stephen Winkler has based his high school career around the principles of SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving): having fun without the influence of alcohol or drugs. He has shared the anti-drug and alcohol message with countless students, and now he'll be taking his message across state lines. Winkler has been named the SADD National Student of the Year.

"'I believe in the mission of SADD that students are the best people to influence other students about not making destructive decisions. It's something I'm passionate about... I've witnessed the effects of alcohol abuse firsthand. I've seen what it can do. And because I've seen it, I can stand against it and I can try to help others stay away from it, too."

Winkler admits that it's hard to know how much he has really influenced students and their decisions, but he continues to encourage them to be creative with how they spend their time. Hanging out doesn't have to include alcohol or drugs, and teens will probably enjoy themselves more if it doesn't. Source: Topeka Capital-Journal

If you suspect your child is experimenting with drugs and alcohol don't wait to get them into a treatment program. Read advice from other parents about the dangers of waiting too long before you get your teen help at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: awareness, prevention, SADD

Officials at the Rock Hill (South Carolina) Keystone Substance Abuse Center say that teenage drinking is getting worse. By "worse" they don't necessarily mean it's becoming more prevalent, but the teens that are drinking a lot more.

"...many underage drinkers no longer simply drink to get high but instead drink to induce oblivion. This binge-style often revolves around drinking games in which drinkers ingest large amounts of alcohol quickly, sometimes to the point where they suffer alcohol poisoning and have to be rushed to the hospital."

Many of the drinking games played by teens cause them to ingest five to seven shots in an hour. It takes the body about an hour to break down the alcohol contained in just one shot or can of beer. Source: The Rock Hill Herald

Labels: alcohol, alcohol_abuse, binge_drinking