A study from from Weill Cornell Medical College suggests that friends' and parents' attitudes toward smoking may influence teens' use of alcohol and other drugs. The study also suggests gender differences in teens' substance abuse decisions:

• Professor Jennifer Epstein and her colleagues surveyed 2,406 sixth and seventh graders in New York City for this study.
• Girls were more influenced to use drugs and alcohol if their immediate peer group held benevolent or permissive attitudes toward smoking.
• If a boy thought that boys his age in general were smoking, he was more likely to use tobacco, drugs and alcohol himself.

"If a teenager feels that smoking is socially acceptable and widely practiced, they are much more likely not only to smoke but to also drink and use marijuana," Dr. Epstein said. "A parent's opinion matters. Moms and dads are critical role models and should let their attitudes against drug use be known."

This study appeared in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse.

Labels: smoking, alcohol_abuse, drug use, teens, influences

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Maternal predictions about teen drinking help determine if a teen will abuse alcohol, according to a new study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

If a mother believes that her child is going to drink alcohol in junior high and high school, the child is more likely to do so. The opposite is also true.

"When mothers overestimated their teens' future use of alcohol, the teens developed the self-view that they were likely to drink alcohol in the future, which ultimately led them to drink more," said Stephanie Madson, an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University.

Dr. Madson and her colleagues studied 800 Iowa mothers and their children over a period of five years. They found evidence that children formed views about alcohol use based upon their mothers' beliefs, especially whether their mothers believed it is acceptable for adolescents to drink alcohol.

"The moral here is to help children develop positive and pro-social self-concepts about themselves, because children are likely to make choices that match how they view themselves," Dr. Madson said. "The more acceptable teens believed adolescent alcohol use was, the more alcohol they tended to drink themselves."

Read more: Mom's Use of Substances Puts Child at Risk

Labels: mothers, influences, predictors

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Religious teens are less likely to drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, or use other drugs, according to a new study published in the Journal of Drug Issues.

The study found that individual religiosity is linked to being less likely to use alcohol or to smoke, and decreases a teen's chances of using marijuana by half. However, religiosity did not affect cocaine or heroin abuse.

Researchers from Brigham Young University looked at answers to these two questions given by over 14,000 teens: How often do you attend church? and How important is religion to you?

"Previously it was thought that if someone grew up in a religious community and went to church, then the community's religious strength would make a difference," said Professor Stephen Bahr, co-author of the study. "We basically found that was not the case. Individual religiosity is what makes the difference."

Labels: influences, religion, drug_use

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Maureen McCormick is best known for her childhood role at Marcia Brady on the classic sitcom The Brady Bunch. In her new memoir, titled Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, McCormick tells the story of the battle she fought between the picture perfect character she played on TV and the real-life turmoil she endured off-camera.

"When the series had its final bow, she took up a hard-partying lifestyle in Hollywood, using drugs including cocaine and Quaaludes. She struggled to regain her earlier success, landing some TV and movie roles, but developed a reputation for unreliability due to her addiction, even botching an interview with Steven Spielberg for a role in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' because she was high."

Now 52, McCormick is still surprised by how much Marcia Brady was and is part of people's lives. She admits it took her most of her life to separate Marcia from Maureen, but says she's finally reached a point of "equanimity and acceptance." Source: The Associated Press

Labels: awareness, influences, celebrities

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Pre-teens and teens often decorate their rooms with posters and pin-ups of the latest pop and rock stars. The clothing and life styles of these stars are cause to doubt whether they're the best role models for young people, and now there's one more reason - they are more likely to die young.

"A study of more than 1,000 mainly British and North American artists, spanning the era from Elvis Presley to rapper Eminem, found they were two or three times more likely to suffer a premature death than the general population."

Rock stars are at greatest risk of death in the first five years after they become famous, and their mortality rates don't decline to match that of the general population until about 25 years after their initial success.

Labels: death, influences, role_models

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Pregnant rats that ingest alcohol give birth to offspring that are attracted to that substance, according to a new study from the State University of New York.

Scientists have already shown that for humans, the best predictor of teen and adult alcoholism is having a mother who drank during pregnancy.

The theory of the new study is that mammals can 'learn' that alcohol is something good even in utero, according to Professor Steven Youngentob. He and his colleagues point out that the senses are among the first systems to develop. A fetus may "learn" by smell and sight what to eat and drink according to what its mother ingests.

"All that information gets transmitted to the fetus during gestation or lactation," Dr. Youngentob explained. He believes this adaptation probably works in humans as well as rats.

If a young rat was not exposed to alcohol by adulthood, it lost its attraction. This study appears in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience.

Boarding schools for teens with substance abuse and addiction problems can help by offering a powerful combination of therapy and accredited academics.

Labels: alcohol_abuse, mothers, influences

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Partnership for a Drug-Free America has teamed up with Major League Baseball to launch a new online resource about performance enhancing drugs. The program, which can be found at www.drugfree.org/playhealthy, focuses on educating teens about the dangers of steroids.

"Many teens use the Internet to search for information about steroids before deciding to use them. In an effort to communicate the dangers of steroids to teens searching online, the Partnership and MLB have launched the site with a keyword engine buy that works to actively interrupt the search and redirect teens..."

The site also provides information for parents, caregivers, and coaches, as well as tools to help guide conversations with teenagers. Source: PR Newswire

Labels: prevention, influences, role_models

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A recently released study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that 73 percent of teenagers reported school stress is the main reason for adolescent drug use. The study found deep disconnects between teenagers and their parents in understanding the factors that lead to drug use.

"Only 7 percent of parents believe that teens might use drugs to cope with stress. 'A wide disconnect exists between what teens are thinking and feeling and what parents believe about their teens when it comes to attitudes about drug use,' said Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Director Angela Cornelius Dawson."

The study marks a dramatic shift in the reasons teenagers use drugs. In previous studies, 65 percent of teens said they'd used drugs to "feel cool." Source: The Toledo Journal

Labels: drug_abuse, influences, stress

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The National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program in Trinidad is hosting several breakfasts in an attempt to forge alliances among the media, sports personalities, and others in the fight against drug abuse.

"...the objective of the breakfast meeting was to 'sensitize the media to the work of NADAPP and to obtain their assistance in promoting Substance Abuse Education and Prevention.'... This breakfast meeting is just one of several stakeholder engagement initiatives that form part of NADAPP's current drive to deepen and strengthen its partnership with the NGO and Private Sectors in the fight against drugs."

Members of the media were encouraged to use their 24/7 access to listeners to expose the harsh realities of drug use, rather than making it sound "cool" or fun. Source: Newsday (Trinidad & Tobago)

Labels: prevention, influences, peers

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When Cody Mills was a sophomore in high school, he started hanging out with what he calls the "wrong crowd" of athletes. He wanted to increase his muscle mass and overall performance, so he ordered steroids from an online pharmacy.

"...he is now sitting behind bars at the Orange County Jail. Mills recently pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of possession of a dangerous drug. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail and a $1,000 fine."

Though his strength and muscle mass did increase as a result of the drug, so did his temper. And now he's got 15 long days away from friends and family to ponder his decision and its consequences. Source: The Orange Leader (CA)

Labels: influences, juvenile_deliquents, peers

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Amy Winehouse is in the news again, this time for being rushed to the hospital where she was reported to be coughing up blood. She is the latest in a series of stars whose "fast and furious" lifestyle is seductively appealing to many people - primarily young fans.

"The idea that some spirits burn too fiercely, consuming themselves in their own flames, is incredibly seductive to the people least likely to know better, by which I mean the young. As you get older, you start to question all that romantic nonsense and see such deaths for what they really are: a tragic waste."

The danger inherent in Winehouse's lifestyle is that, without ever realizing it, she may take others down with her. The singer is admired by many young people who don't view her as someone who makes reckless and destructive choices, but rather as a person who is living with an all-out passion. Source: Belfast Telegraph

Labels: influences, celebrities, media

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Parents feel confident about advising and guiding their young children, but they "wimp out" as the children enter adolescence, according to a new study from the Partnership for A Drug-Free America.

The findings are significant because teens in middle and high school need guidance on drugs, sex and other significant issues - but the parents of these older teens told researchers that they feel unequipped with information and answers. Many parents reported that they want to maintain a non-authoritarian friendship with their teenagers, so they were reluctant to give orders, search their children's rooms, and undertake other activities that might put them at odds with their children.

"Parents are the most powerful influencers in their kids' lives, including on their choice to try drugs or alcohol, but this study clearly shows that many parents feel increasingly overwhelmed as kids become teenagers," said Steve Pasierb, the partnership's president.

The survey involved more than 1,000 parents with children ages 10 to 19. More than half the parents of middle schoolers said they felt uninformed about drugs and alcohol, compared to 35% of parents of fourth and fifth graders. Many parents of older teens agreed with statements such as "I think it's important that my child considers me a friend" and "I have a hard time saying no."

The Partnership for A Drug-Free America is a nonprofit alliance of parents, scientists, and communication experts dedicated to helping families raise healthy children. The organization has conducted its annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Survey every year since 1978.

Labels: prevention, influences, older_teens

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Wired magazine is in trouble for an article in the May issue, "Twelve Ways to Supercharge Your Brain." One part of the 15-page article, called "Do the Right Drugs," includes discussions of eight drugs, some of which are illegal. The list includes Adderall, nicotine, and even methamphetamine, which "increases concentration and creative output." The author advises the magazine's 650,000 subscribers to "tap the black market" to obtain these substances.

Worried your teen is experimenting with drugs and alcohol? Learn about teen addiction and teen alcoholism at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: influences, media

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In a study of nearly 5,000 teens and their parents, a group of researchers found strong connections between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors. The study collected data on alcohol use for teens at ages 14 and 17½, and similar data from parents.

"The study found that, among parental dimensions examined, monitoring and discipline played the strongest intermediary role in associations between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors. The researchers also found that the magnitude of this role was much stronger during early adolescence, while parental drinking had a stronger effect on teen drinking in later adolescence."

A rather surprising discovery was that increased discipline by parents actually led to increased alcohol consumption among older teens. Read more at Teen-Help-Directory.com.

Labels: parents, influences, role_models

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An entire generation of parents and educators has pushed to "open doors" for girls, working to ensure that girls have many of the same opportunities as boys. But the new-found equality extends beyond career and education into some unfortunate territory.

"Teenage girls now equal or outpace teenage boys in alcohol consumption, drug use and smoking, national surveys show. The number of girls entering the juvenile justice system has risen steadily over the past few years."

Girls simultaneously talk about feeling empowered to attend almost any college or pursue any career they wish and also feeling free to explore the "party" scene, which typically includes clubs, alcohol and drugs. Now more than ever, girls need parents who are active in their lives, helping them navigate previously uncharted water. Read more at Charlotte.com.

Copper Canyon Academy is an all girls boarding school for troubled teen girls. Their beautiful campus in Rimrock, Arizona, offers a safe, structured environment for troubled teenage girls.

Labels: girls, influences, binge_drinking

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Megan Overstreet is a student at Northridge High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, and she has some (potentially) surprising news for parents; it's often easier for kids to get drugs in school than anywhere else.

"While polling my 11th-grade English class, I found that 52 percent of the students had been offered drugs since starting high school. Yet the most shocking statistic is that 88 percent of the students knew exactly who to talk to if they wanted drugs...'I could text some people and literally have it in my hands by the end of the school day.'"

Overstreet goes on to suggest that parents have far more influence in their teens' decisions than they realize. By taking an active interest in a child's life, asking questions, and knowing who their friends are, parents can help their teenagers avoid substance abuse pitfalls.

Labels: schools, influences, drug_use

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A recent national study found that one in three of the most popular songs from 2005 contained references to drug or alcohol use. Rap music was the biggest culprit, followed by country. But do these references actually cause substance abuse in adolescents?

"'We don't know if it really makes a difference,' said study author and University of Pittsburgh Assistant Professor of Medicine Dr. Brian Primack. Maybe kids listen to song with alcohol, and it doesn't affect them one way or another. Maybe it affects them a great deal...'"

Primack goes on to say that the important thing is for us to talk to kids about what's right and what wrong in terms of drug and alcohol use.

Labels: music, influences

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As 2008 draws near, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America is asking parents to include "talk to my kids more" on their lists of resolutions. To help parents make and keep the resolutions, Partnership has launched the website TimeToTalk.org.

"TimeToTalk™ celebrates the positive influence parents have on the decisions their children make for themselves. With access to conversation starters and a supportive online parent forum, TimeToTalk.org empowers parents to take an active role in prevention."

The website also includes a list of suggested "resolutions" that parents could make in the new year, with regards to their kids: "be patient, not just tolerant", "ask teens what they need from you" and "keep the promises you make" are just some of the suggestions.

Labels: parents, influences, communication

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Adolescents are more likely to drink if their friends do, and their peers may influence their drinking habits even more than their parents do, according to a new study from Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Danielle Dick and her colleagues studied data from 4700 teenagers in Finland, looking for associations between teen friendships and alcohol use. The researchers found that girls' drinking in particular is linked to the influence of peers. Having friends of the opposite sex correlated with increased drinking for both sexes.

Parents should be aware of their children's friends, Dr. Dick advised. "This awareness is particularly important for girls, and when the friendship group consists of members of the opposite sex."

This study appears in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Labels: alcohol, influences, friends

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The Eighth Annual Western South Dakota Youth to Youth Conference was held last week in Rapid City. The conference aims to use positive peer pressure to steer young people away from alcohol and substance abuse.

"[Alonna] Fry said discussing drugs and alcohol with fellow students makes her take the issues more seriously. 'It's nice to know there are other people my age that choose not to be involved with drugs,' Fry said. 'That's what we need at our age.'"

The conference begins with some games that are designed to help the students get to know and feel comfortable with each other. Later in the conference, discussion groups tackle serious issues of drugs and alcohol that face today's teens. The students are also encouraged to make pledges to remain drug free and be role models in their schools.

As your teenager transitions into adulthood they may still need some guidance and structure, especially if they're in recovery. NorthStar Center is an aftercare program for young adults in recovery. Learn more at NorthStarCenter.com.

Labels: influences, friends, pressure

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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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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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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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In a speech given to parents and teens at the Red Ribbon kick-off, Juvenile Court Judge Kimberly Corsaro stated that most of the teens that appear in her courtroom for drug-related issues have significant family issues which are directly related to the teen's substance abuse.

"She told of a troubled youth who actually told her he preferred to stay in the county juvenile detention center than go home to his parents who seem to always be fighting. The impotence the child felt against the problems his mother and father have was enough to want him to opt for a cell with a concrete floor and no privacy even to go to the bathroom."

Parents should look for warning signs of drug use, and act as soon as they suspect something isn't right. The sooner the problem is discovered, the more quickly a teen can get help.

Worried that your child is headed down the wrong path? Find a private school and other programs for troubled teens at 4TroubledTeens.com.

Labels: influences, signs, involvement

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Peer pressure works both ways. It can not only push teens to try drugs and alcohol, it can keep them from it as well. A recent study conducted through the University of Southern California found that a drug prevention program was more effective when it was run by peers instead of teachers or health educators.

"The study compared substance use among students participating in the prevention program Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND), traditionally led by a health educator or teacher, to the modified peer-led TND Network. TND held interactive discussions at the classroom level while TND Network divided the students into smaller groups composed of their friends, increased the number of group activities and a student-chosen leader led the discussion."

Drug use among teens in the peer-led groups dropped by 15 percent more than the teens in the standard program. The study emphasizes just how important it is for parents to be aware of who their kids' friends are and what they do for fun.

A positive peer culture, like the one employed at Mount Bachelor Academy, can help struggling teens turn their lives around.

Labels: prevention, influences, peers

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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, recovery, influences

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Partnership for a Drug-free America just released the results of its 2006 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) which analyzes parental and teen attitudes towards drugs and alcohol. The study revealed a 12% decline in frequent conversations about drugs and alcohol between parents and teens.

"Only half of parents, 54 percent, reported thoroughly discussing the use of drugs like heroin, cocaine and crack with their kids. Even more concerning is that a mere 36 percent of parents reported having in-depth conversations about abuse of prescription medications and only 33 percent have thoroughly discussed abuse of OTC [over-the-counter] cough and cold medicines with their teens."

The study revealed that many parents don't fully understand the dangers of prescription and OTC medications. In addition, parents are uncertain about how to initiate conversations with their teens and what to say. In response to these findings, Partnership for a Drug-free America has launched the Time to Talk™ Campaign; a web site designed to equip, encourage, and empower parents to have productive, consistent conversations with their kids about drugs and alcohol. Read more at MedicalNewsToday.com.

Unsure of how talk to your teen? ByParents-ForParents.com offers help for parents of troubled teenagers.

Labels: prevention, influences, communication

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The Rockingham Coalition for Youth is working with the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission to warn parents and teens about the dangers of underage drinking. Presentations and drunk driving simulations have been used to show the dangers, but alternatives have been offered as well.

"[Lt. James] Wilson said with prom and graduation season now beginning it would be worthwhile to consider hosting chemical-free parties for youth to attend instead of leaving them to their own devices."

It's estimated that 65% or more of teens who drink get the alcohol from adults. And though some parents think that, since teens are going to drink anyway, it's better to offer them a controlled environment, experts warn that people who start drinking at a young age are much more likely to become addicted. Read more at SeacoastOnline.com.

Learn more about adolescent substance abuse and ways to help teens struggling with drug abuse at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: parents, influences, underage_drinking

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