The latest trend among college students is mixing energy drinks with alcohol. The caffeine in the energy drinks masks the effects of the alcohol, making a person think he's less drunk than he actually is.

"The research, by investigators at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, found students who mix energy drinks with alcohol were twice as likely to be injured during a bout of drinking, to need medical attention or to ride with a driver who was drunk. They were also twice as likely to take advantage of someone sexually and nearly twice as likely to be taken advantage of sexually by someone else."

The new cocktail has become so popular that some companies have begun selling pre-mixed versions.

Labels: alcohol, binge drinking, cocktails

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The dangers of smoking have been known for years. But a recent report filed by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse has found that smoking is especially dangerous for adolescents.

"CASA's original analysis of data from the NDSUH [National Survey on Drug Use and Health] finds that teens who smoke are nine times likelier to meet the medical criteria for past year alcohol abuse or dependence and 13 times likelier to meet the medical criteria for abuse and dependence on an illegal drug than teens who don't smoke."

The study also found that teens ages 12 to 17 are twice as likely to suffer from symptoms of depression if they smoke. Feelings of anxiety and worthlessness were also more likely.

Labels: smoking, health_problems, risky_behaviors

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The new show "Gossip Girl" on the CW, which tells the stories of Upper Manhattan's elite teens, glamorizes teen drinking - but the truth of underage drinking is much more sobering. The U.S. Surgeon General's office says that a quarter of the country's alcohol sales are attributed to underage drinkers.

"Although the overall percentage of drinkers has held fairly steady for the past five years, the most recent statistics from that survey show teens have begun drinking at younger ages, and binge drinking has surged - with nearly 7.2 million teens reporting they sometimes down five or more alcoholic beverages in a single setting."

Though the media often glamorizes underage drinking, parental influence far outweighs that of the media. Unfortunately, a high percentage of teens say that they drink at parties that are supervised by adults. Some admit that their parents buy alcohol for them. What small influence the media may have can be counter-acted by parents who model the motto "just say no".

Teens struggling with alcohol and drug addiction need a safe, secure, and structured environment to get back on track. SunHawk Academy is a residential treatment center in a boarding school setting. Learn more at www.sunhawkacademy.com.

Labels: alcohol_abuse, underage drinking, binge_drinking

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A new law enacted in Kentucky could cause people who manufacture methamphetamine to lose their homes or vehicles. The law requires a "full cleanup" and applies to any structure in which more than 2 ounces of meth have been manufactured.

"A full cleanup means everything inside the house has to be thrown away& The price is $10,000 for an average house. However, depending on the size, the price could reach $20,000."

The process of manufacturing meth leaves behind residue that poses health and environmental threats to any future occupants of the home, and only certified contractors can conduct the cleanup.

Labels: health_problems, laws, meth

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Thanksgiving eve is commonly considered one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. Across the country, police and sheriff's departments will be issuing warnings about the dangers of drinking and driving.

"Much of the drinking tonight will be by college students returning home for the holiday and spending time at bars with friends, officials said during a press conference at the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department in Battle Creek."

Members of the Substance Abuse Council are using today as a platform to warn against underage drinking. Most studies have found that the earlier someone begins to drink, the more likely he or she will struggle with addiction later in life.

Don't waste your teen's winter break - use the time off from school to help your child get back on track. Check out the winter break program at Aspen Achievement Academy.

Labels: addiction, underage_drinking, drunk_driving

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A recent study at the University of Pittsburgh found that drug and alcohol use are still popular subjects in the music industry. This latest study found that, of 279 popular songs researched, one-third of them portrayed drug and alcohol use - and most of the messages were positive.

"Previous research has shown that exposure to substance-use messages in the media is linked to actual substance use in adolescents,' [Brian] Primack says in a news release. 'This is why we need to be aware of exposures such as these, especially when they are associated with highly positive consequences and associations."

Of the substances referred to in music, alcohol was the most common, with rap and country being the genres most likely to convey positive substance use messages.

Looking for ways to protect your child from risky behaviors such as teen alcohol and drug use? Visit DrugRehabTreatment.com for more information.

Labels: music, influences, media

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Most would agree that the goal of substance abuse treatment is recovery. But the term "recovery" often means different things to different people. Now, in an article appearing in the October issue of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (JSAT), a team of experts from the Betty Ford Institute offer a definition of recovery that can be widely used to help people who are struggling with alcohol or drug use.

"According to an initial definition developed by a panel of experts from the Betty Ford Institute, recovery is 'a voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship.' The panel's report appears as part of a special section of JSAT devoted to Defining and Measuring Recovery."

The panel hopes that developing a more specific definition of recovery will assist treatment and rehabilitation centers in creating measurable goals for their patients. The panel also suggested classifications to define sobriety durations as "early" to "stable" stages of recovery.

NorthStar Center, in Bend, Oregon, offers teenagers and young adults an aftercare and recovery program that allows young people to get on with their lives and grow into healthy, happy adults.

Labels: rehab, treatment, recovery

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Marilyn Babiarz didn't know what she was getting into when she agreed to let her daughter's friend stay with them for a while. Years later, she found herself speaking at the young man's funeral after he lost his battle with heroin addiction.

"The same week [he] died, Babiarz saw a flyer for Parents 4 A Change, a local group of residents seeking to combat drug use in town. Babiarz decided to tell her story in the hopes of encouraging other families to join the group and come forward with stories of their own."

For years, she watched Mark Gilbert, Jr. struggle to overcome his addiction. He would do well for a few months, only to relapse again. Babiarz wants parents to know the dangers of drug use are real and aren't just limited to "troubled" or inner-city kids. "He was a Southington [Connecticut] kid and he used with other Southington kids," she said.

Private schools often offer smaller, more personal classroom settings and a variety of after school activities. Visit BoardingSchoolsInfo.com to find the best private school for your child.

Labels: addiction, support, heroin

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A residential school for Indian children in Salem, Oregon has seen a dramatic decrease in violence, drug use, and drinking since Marion County Sheriff's deputies started providing security. Since the beginning of 2006, deputies have patrolled the 400-acre Chemawa Indian School - home to 385 students from 62 tribes in 21 states.

"Fights dropped by half during the 2006-07 school year, compared with the year before, and assaults were reduced by 44 percent, according to the school's statistics. Drug and alcohol abuse also continued a years-long decline."

Though the students were initially apprehensive about the presence of the deputies, they've grown accustomed to having them around. Some of the deputies even help with student-related activities like football or wrestling.

Boarding schools for teens with substance abuse offer 12-step programs in addition to accredited academics. Visit BoardingSchoolsInfo to find a private school or residential treatment program today.

Labels: schools, violence, drug_use

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Recent studies have indicated that one in five teenagers has abused prescription medication that they get from a parent or grandparent's medicine cabinet. To try and curb this trend in South Florida, the Drug Free Collier is holding "Operation Medicine Cabinet" on Saturday, November 17th.

"Everyone is invited to bring unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to several locations for proper disposal during Operation Medicine Cabinet, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17th."

There will be several locations at which people can drop off medication.

Prescription drug abuse is a dangerous and serious matter. Visit DrugRehabTreatment for important information.

Labels: community_programs, prescription_drugs

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The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has offered suggestions to schools, parents and students for reducing substance abuse among young people. The Center has also released statistics on drug and alcohol-related issues.

"[For parents], Talk with your children about substance use from an early age and continue these conversations through college. Have a comprehensive discussion about substance use - its risks, your expectations, and the consequences you will enforce should they violate the rules - during the summer before their departure to college."

Statistics released by the Center include the following: 49 percent of full-time college students binge drink and/or abuse prescription and illegal drugs, 22.9 percent of full-time college students meet the medical criteria for substance abuse and dependence. The study also reports that these numbers have not significantly changed in the last twelve years.

Learn more about binge drinking and other types of teen drug use at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: prevention, awareness, parents

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The common assumption with teens that are smoking or using alcohol or drugs is that the parents don't know what's going on. But a recent study has found that, in fact, nearly 3/4 of parents do know what their teens are doing.

"For a six-month reporting period, 82 percent of parents accurately evaluated the presence of teen cigarette smoking; the parents' reports corresponded with the teens' reports of their own smoking. Eighty-six percent of parents accurately evaluated the presence of teen alcohol use and 86 percent accurately reported the presence of teen marijuana use. However, only 72 percent of the parents in the RIA study accurately reported the presence of illicit drug use (other than marijuana) by teens."

The report sharply contrasts the prevailing belief that teen activity is not monitored or noticed by parents. The study did find, however, that parents were less likely to be aware of the activities of younger teens (14 or 15 years of age), and were also less aware if they were caught up with issues of their own like depression or substance abuse.

Visit ByParents-forParents.com for free parenting tips, advice, and help for parents of troubled teens.

Labels: parents, influences, communication

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A study of 177 adolescents who underwent substance abuse treatment indicates that "aftercare" treatment is important to its success.

Researchers from the University of Connecticut assigned some of the teens to three months of aftercare that involved sessions with therapists. The control group had no aftercare.

At the end of the three-month study, those who had aftercare therapy had fewer suicidal ideations and were more likely to use none or lower amounts of alcohol or marijuana compared to those in the control group.

Psychiatry professor Yifrah Kaminer, who conducted the research, said, "Aftercare can help prevent relapse and chronic disease."

This study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

For older teens and young adults, NorthStar Center offers a great aftercare program that combines addiction therapy and an academic program. Visit www.northstarcenter.com for more details.

Labels: therapy, psychiatry, aftercare

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Teens who suffer from depression and also abuse drugs can benefit from a combination of antidepressants and therapy or therapy alone, according to a new study from the University of Colorado.

When the teens in the study felt less depressed, they were more likely to drop their substance abuse.

Clinicians in the field are calling the study "landmark" because it is the first time that someone has shown that depressed, addicted teens can safely take antidepressants.

Dr. Paula Riggs and her colleagues studied 126 teenagers who had a history of abusing at least one drug but who also suffered from major depression. Three-fourths of the teens who took fluoxetines combined with talk therapy showed major decreases in their levels of depression and became more successful at addiction treatment. Some 67% of those who received only talk therapy without medications also improved.

Therapy helped the teens learn new ways of dealing with their problems and improved their ability to cope with cravings.

"These kids come into drug treatment with only one tool in their tool bags," Dr. Riggs said. "If their dog dies? I think I'll get high. If their girlfriend breaks up with them? I think I'll get high."

This study appears in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.

An effective adolescent residential treatment program can accurately assess the needs of your troubled teen and then create an effective treatment plan. Learn more at SunHawkAcademy.com.

Labels: addiction, treatment, depression

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Teens do better in anti-drug counseling programs led by other teenagers than those led by adults, according to a new study from the University Of Southern California Keck School Of Medicine.

Researchers asked 550 high school students to take part in surveys before and after they completed drug counseling for tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or cocaine use. Those who took part in peer-led programs reduced their abuse by 15% compared to those in traditional programs.

Professor Thomas Valente said, "We found that social-network-tailored prevention curricula can be very successful in achieving long-term behavioral changes in teenagers."

Labels: influences, peers, counseling

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Some 25% of American teenagers report that it is easy or "somewhat" easy to obtain methamphetamine. However, the vast majority (77%) expressed disapproval of those who experiment with this popular street drug.

The survey by the Center for Disease Control also found that three-quarters of those who try the drug experiment before age 15 years.

About one in five teens said that the drug produces euphoria, helps deal with boredom, and helps people to lose weight. One third of the teens in the survey believe the drug does not pose any significant risk to those who use it.

"Meth is death," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, head for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She and White House drug czar said that the survey shows that there is more work to do when it comes to teenagers and methamphetamine use.

Dr. Gerberding praised "The Meth Project" in Montana that reduced meth use among teens in that state by 45% within two years.

Labels: meth, availability, street_drugs

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