A 19-year-old writes in to an advice column asking what to do about her boyfriend. He treats her well and is a good guy. He has just one "small flaw": He's a recreational cocaine user.

"...ask - demand - that Derek stop using cocaine. I hope he will, but I fear, despite his assurances to the contrary, that he's already hooked and unable to quit on his own... Insist that he do what's necessary to get off this substance and don't stay with him if he gives you excuses instead of immediate action."

Dr. Wallace also reminds her that cocaine is highly addictive and most who try to quit are unable. Read more at HollandSentinel.com.

Labels: addiction, cocaine, treatment

Lindsey was a 4.0 high school student who was into swimming and was also the MVP of her softball team; until an older boyfriend introduced her to cocaine. Her addiction was immediate and the next year of her life was consumed by the drug.

"According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, by the time a teen reaches age 17, 7 out of 10 will have been offered an illegal drug. Many, like Lindsey, underestimate how quickly they can develop an addiction."

The key to recovery, according to therapist Paul Hokemeyer, is to put the addicted person in a new community; a residential treatment program that can help him or her break the cycle. Read more at WUSA.9.com.

Labels: addiction, athletics, high_school

A major new government survey of 50,000 teens indicates that overall drug use has continued to decline over the past ten years. However, more teens are abusing prescription painkillers.

Social scientists at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research investigated the behaviors of 8th, 10th and 12th graders and found that the percentage of eighth graders using illicit drugs at least once a year dropped to 13% from 25% in 1997. For 10th graders, the rate dropped from 39% to 28%; and for 12th graders, those figures are 42% compared to 36% today.

Lloyd Johnston, principal investigator for the National Institute on Drug Use study, said, "The cumulative declines since recent peak levels of drug involvement in the mid-1990s are substantial, especially among the youngest students."

The bad news is that more teens are experimenting with prescription narcotics like Oxycotin and Vicodin, which doctors prescribe to cancer patients and others in severe pain. These drugs can produce states of euphoria often followed by stupor. Almost 10% of the 12th graders in the study had tried Vicodin, and 5% of all students in the survey had tried Oxycotin.

Researchers found an increase in the use of ecstasy, but a decline in amphetamine and methamphetamine. In addition, anabolic steroid use is on the increase among teenage boys. Marijuana remains the most popular of the illicit drugs.

If you believe your teen has experimented with drugs or alcohol and it's affecting their performance in school and in their relationships, then Excel Academy can help. Excel is a Texas boarding school that specializes in helping families who are suffering because of teen drug use.

Labels: abuse, addiction, teenagers

People who start drinking after young adulthood are less likely to become binge drinkers, according to a study from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Berkeley, CA.

Dr. Marcia Russell and her colleagues used data from a five-year study in New York. They found that risks are lower for people who start drinking after age 21 years and who drink only in moderation.

"Drinking patterns associated with early peak and stable drinking trajectories were distinctly different," she wrote. "Early drinkers drank fewer years, less frequently and consumed less volume of alcohol over their lifetimes but they averaged more drinks per drinking day and had higher rates of episodic heavy drinking and intoxication."

This study appears in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Binge drinking and general adolescent alcohol use can cause chaos in even the most stable families. Learn what you can do about adolescent substance abuse at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: addiction, binge_drinking, research

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, drunk_driving, underage_drinking

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, depression, treatment

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, heroin, support

Several new studies that employ high-tech tools like MRIs are proving that the human brain is not fully developed until age 25 or so. Some scientists, such as Jay Giedd, head of the brain imaging project at the National Institute of Health and Dr. Deborah Yurgelun-Todd of Harvard Medical School are using this new data to urge changes in public policies. They and others argue that teenagers should not be allowed to drive, enlist in the military or vote.

However, other scientists are looking at the evidence in a different way. They argue that people ages 35 to 54 years old are the ones who behave the most irresponsibly. Here are some statistics:

Since 1975, there has been a 550% increase in the number of deaths by drug overdose among the middle-aged. Over 370,000 middle-aged people were admitted to emergency rooms in 2004 for drug overdoses, and 18,250 died, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Middle-aged people are 30% more at risk for automobile accidents than teenagers.

There are 21 million middle-aged binge drinkers - twice the percent of college-aged binge drinkers. Binge drinking is defined as five drinks in a row taken once a week.

About four million middle-aged people were arrested in 2004 - one million committed violent crimes and 500,000 involved drug arrests. There has been a 600% increase in the number of middle-aged people in American prisons since 1975.

Learn about the value of boarding school for middle school aged children at Boarding Schools for Girls.

Labels: addiction, adults, binge_drinking

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson has announced the formation of a Parent Panel Advisory Council. The council's focus will be to improve the availability of substance abuse and addiction treatment services for Pennsylvania families.

"The council will examine the availability of information on substance abuse and addiction services, identify barriers to and gaps in services and treatment, and make recommendations to improve the substance abuse and addiction treatment system. Based on the assessments, the council will make recommendations to the Department of Health to share with the state House Health and Human Services Committee."

The panel is comprised of 18 parents who were selected via an application process. Each will serve from one to three year terms. Read more online.

Labels: addiction, support, treatment

His upcoming book, The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star, is a brutally honest account of Nikki Sixx's battle with drug addiction and his road to recovery. He will be the first rock star to speak at the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month luncheon September 6th on Capitol Hill.

"NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals invited Sixx to share his story at this national forum alongside Terry Cline, Ph.D, Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and H. Westley Clark, MD, JD, MPH, Director, SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment."

Twenty-five percent of Sixx's book's profits go to benefit a shelter in California that helps runaway teenagers. Read more at KCRG.com.

Learn about teenage drug addiction, rehab, and recovery at Teen-Help-Directory.com.

Labels: addiction, influences, recovery

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc announced today that it has begun a clinical trial for a drug called CPP-109, intended for use in the treatment of cocaine addiction. CPP-109 is an oral treatment that inhibits dopamine release that's typically caused by drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.

"The Phase II clinical trial is expected to enroll 180 cocaine dependent patients at 10 leading addiction treatment clinical centers in the United States. Patients will be treated for a period of 12 weeks, with an additional 12 week follow-up."

Catalyst will begin enrolling patients in the trial once it gets approval from the Institutional Review Board. It expects to release first results of the trial in the summer of 2008. Read more at News-Medical.net.

Labels: addiction, cocaine, treatment

For years, methadone clinics have been an accepted method of "weaning" someone off of an opiate addiction. But a new method - and new drug, Suboxone - is beginning to get noticed. Suboxone masks the symptoms of withdrawal while blocking the effects of opiate-based drugs like heroin.

"'When the Suboxone molecule enters the neuron, it attaches to the receptor and protects it from any other opiate,' said Dr. David Faulk, a Brunswick psychiatrist who writes prescriptions for Suboxone. 'The big benefit is that it's extremely difficult to abuse and become addicted to.'"

Opponents of Suboxone say that patients who use it to overcome addictions may have to take it for the rest of their lives. Read more at TheBrunswicknews.com.

Need more information about teen drug addiction? Visit 4TroubledTeens.com to learn about the Behavioral and Physical Signs of Teen Drug and Alcohol Use.

Labels: addiction, recovery, treatment

Selena Bartlett, Ph.D., recently led a study on the effects of medication in treating the cravings associated with alcohol addiction. The study produced positive results, but Dr. Barbara Krantz was quick to point out that medication is just one component of effective treatment.

"'We know that addiction to alcohol or drugs is a disease with medical and psychosocial components,' said Dr. Krantz. 'Addiction is a brain disorder for which counseling and other behavioral therapies are necessary components of addiction treatment.'"

Addiction treatment is different for everyone. Dual diagnosis may have to be addressed (i.e. – addiction and depression being treatment simultaneously), and type and the length of treatment needs to be customized. Read more at Home.Busineswire.com.

The Aspen Institute conducts all of the assessments necessary to create a comprehensive treatment plan for teens struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. Learn more about this special residential treatment center at www.aspenassessment.com.

Labels: addiction, therapy, treatment

Experts and substance abuse counselors say that people who grow and sell marijuana have begun making the drug stronger; thereby increasing the chance that users will become addicted.

"Pam Morrison sees firsthand what the increase in THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, does to users. Morrison, the Coastal Horizons program director said, ‘We have youth as well as adults that are seeking substance abuse treatment because their lives are completely unmanageable as a result of an addiction to marijuana alone."

Many people who find themselves addicted to marijuana believed that only "hard" drugs like heroin or cocaine could be addictive. Read more at WSOCTV.com.

Are you or your teen still in denial over their drug use or addiction? Learn the reasons behind your denial at DrugRehabTreatment.com. You'll also find other useful information about teen drug abuse while you're there.

Labels: addiction, marijuana, treatment

It's easy to find statistics about teenage drug use. It's also fairly easy to find tragic stories of teens that lost their lives, or ended up in prison, because of their addictions. The dangers of drug use are well-known, yet teens continue to get drunk, get high, and get addicted. Why?

"Life is often difficult for teenagers. When they're unhappy and uncomfortable with themselves and have neither a healthy outlet for their frustrations nor a trusted confidant, they may turn to chemicals for solace."

The media often makes drug use look much more prevalent than it actually is, making teens feel like it must not be "a big deal" if so many people are doing it. Teens who feel socially awkward, depressed, or ignored by their parents are also more likely to turn to alcohol and drugs. Read more at DrugFree.org.

Labels: addiction, causes_of_teen_substance_abuse, media_influences

Readers of a Nevada newspaper, in response to an article about methamphetamine addiction, wrote to share their own stories of addiction and recovery. Though the story covered by the newspaper ended badly, many readers wanted others to know that recovery is possible.

"You stated that relapse is part of recovery. That is not true. Relapse is NOT a part of recovery, and it is a dangerous message that many people get. Many alcoholics and addicts go back out and die because of this erroneous belief. Also Mary and her boyfriend stated that rehab and meetings are bogus. When people don't get it, it is bogus. When they are ready, meetings and rehab will work."

Others encouraged people to pay special attention when they think a family member might be struggling with addiction. They encouraged readers to ask questions, and keep asking questions if something doesn't seem right. Read more at NevadaAppeal.com.

Do you have a child with a teen drug addiction? Are you looking for an adolescent drug treatment center? Visit Drug Rehab Treatment >>

Labels: addiction, recovery, support

While use of illegal drugs has been declining across the nation, the illegal use of prescription drugs has been on the rise. The state of Michigan is among the states that rank highest for illegal prescription drug use among teens, with recent studies claiming that 12% of Michigan teens use prescription drugs to get high.

"Although millions of Americans benefit from the proper use of prescription drugs, they can be dangerous when taken without medical supervision or mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Teens who abuse prescription drugs to get high can suffer serious consequences including addiction, strokes, seizures, comas, and even death."

Many teens are migrating to prescription drugs because they're easier to get, and teens make the incorrect assumption that prescription drugs are safer than their illegal counterparts. Read more online.

Labels: addiction, prescription drugs, teenagers

David Nevins, son of HBO executive Sheila Nevins, has struggled with substance abuse for years. He's been sober for about a year now, but only after suffering through a decade of rehab, psychiatric treatment, and relapses. Nevins' experiences with her son made her realize how little she knew or understood about addiction and substance abuse, which inspired her to launch an HBO documentary serried called "Addiction".

"The short films that are a part of 'Addictions' include [Jon] Alpert's look at a busy Saturday night in a Dallas emergency room; [Rory] Kennedy and Liz Garbus' examination of brain imaging; and [D.A.] Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus' piece on opiate addiction."

The film airs on HBO on Thursday night, and all of the short films will be available for download from HBO's website. Read more online.

Labels: addiction, media, recovery

Dr. Jeff Dalley and his colleagues at the University of Cambridge Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute has discovered that certain brain chemistry changes pre-date drug use in addicts and actually cause some people to be pre-disposed to addiction.

"Understanding the neurological changes that help trigger and sustain addiction is key to developing effective prevention and treatment. Numerous studies have noted a myriad of differences in the brain of drug addicts verses healthy individuals, but "it's been basically impossible to know which ones were there before they started to take the drug and which were a consequence of the exposure to the drug," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse."

Understanding the conditions which lead to drug addiction will change the way drug use and addiction are treated. Read more online.

Labels: addiction, research, treatment

USA Today recently published a report on the long term affects of marijuana use. Because of its ease to get and a general belief that it is the mildest of all drugs, many teens and adults admit to smoking pot at least once. But new data shows that smoking pot affects neuropsychological functioning, such as hand-eye coordination, reaction time and memory. Heavy marijuana users also have lower IQ scores and are typically less satisfied with their quality of life.

Then there is the ongoing debate about whether or not pot is a "gateway drug".

"...Studies have shown that when regular pot smokers quit, they do experience withdrawal symptoms, a characteristic used to predict addictiveness. Most users of more addictive drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, started with marijuana, scientists say, and the earlier they started, the greater their risk of becoming addicted. Many studies have documented a link between smoking marijuana and the later use of "harder" drugs such as heroin and cocaine, but that doesn't necessarily mean marijuana causes addiction to harder drugs."

Read more from USA Today.

Labels: addiction, gateway drugs, marijuana, pot

On March 5th, researchers and clinicians will come together for a two-day meeting to discuss the complicated issues surrounding pain management and addiction.

"'The goal of this two-day meeting is to inform researchers and practitioners about the state of the science of the intersection of addiction and pain management.'"

The meeting will take place in Rockville, Maryland and includes speakers who specialize is substance abuse, psychiatry, pharmaceuticals, internal medicine and more. Read more online.

Labels: addiction, research, treatment

Once it becomes available, genetic testing will be a useful tool in helping people get the right treatment for drug and alcohol addictions. But until then, scientists are seeking other ways to help the medical community identify and treat addiction.

"Scientists know that people whose brains don't function properly - they have trouble reasoning and remembering - are more prone to addiction... Because brain functioning can be improved through rehabilitation, [Glen] Hanson advocates reforming the educational system from one that encourages 'memory and regurgitation' to one that 'trains people to think'."

Cognitive testing is another suggestion, as is testing for illiteracy, since both have a direct affect on a person's ability to reason and problem solve. Read more online.

SunHawk Academy has a teen residential treatment center for adolescents struggling with substance abuse addictions. SunHawk Academy is licensed and approved as an Adolescent Residential Treatment Center and provides 24 hour supervision and care in a Boarding High School setting. SunHawk combines a therapy, accredited academics, and family development workshops to help troubled teens and their families.

Labels: addiction, prevention, research

A recent study at Washington University School of Medicine has found a link between teenage smoking and alcoholism. The study included three groups ranging in age from 12 to 20, and found that smokers had more than a 50 percent increased risk for alcoholism.

"Younger smokers in the 12- to 14-year-old age group were 28.4 percent more susceptible to developing an alcohol problem later, compared with 4.2 percent for nonsmokers, although both reported having one to eight drinks in the past month."

The study polled over 74,000 households with adolescents and young adults, as part of the U.S. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health.

Read more online.

Labels: addiction, cigarettes, smoking