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Teenage Drug Abuse

Teenage Drug Abuse

Parents who are informed are parents who can best cope with the pressures and influences their children face when it comes to alcohol and drug use. Many parents of today grew up during those decades of exploding youth drug experimentation, so they believe they know and understand the temptations and the risks their pre-teen and adolescent children face. There are many designer drugs available today that did not exist 20 or 30 years ago. Marijuana potency has increased exponentially in the last 20 years. And to this day myths persist about alcohol that leads many parents to tragically miss signs of serious trouble because they think it is "just alcohol."

Cough Syrup Abuse

Cough syrup preparations are also fast becoming one of the most common drugs of abuse among teens. The active ingredient of many cough syrups is dextromethorphan (DXM), which if taken in large doses can cause visual hallucinations and a heightened sense of awareness - in other words, a cheap high.

Learn more about Cough Syrup Abuse

Teen Meth Use and Abuse

Although the use of crystal methamphetamine - "Meth" - among youth may be decreasing on the national level, certain areas of the United States continue to face significant problems with this potent and highly addictive substance. In addition, not all current research agrees about the prevalence of Meth use among youth and young adults. Although Meth is used by a small percentage of the American population, its extreme potency and potential for severe physical, behavioral, and social consequences keeps it a pressing concern in many communities.

Learn more about Methamphetamine Use Among Youth

Pharm Parties

Drug Testing Trends at School and in the Workplace

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Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles

Study examines the reasons behind binge drinking

By Staff Writer

Binge drinking, which is the rapid consumption of five or more drinks in a row, is considered to be one of the main causes of alcohol poisoning, according to the Mayo Clinic. This behavior has the potential to lead to a coma or even death.

For many adolescents, binge drinking is a popular pastime. Scientists in the Netherlands set out to see if it was related to a deeper problem in a recent study. In addition, they wanted to discover why adolescents engage in binge drinking on a frequent basis.

To find their answers, researchers examined 282 Dutch adolescents that had consumed alcohol at least once in their lives. DNA samples were collected and participants were asked to fill out questionnaires regarding their reasons for drinking.

Results from the DNA test indicated that a variation of the dopamine D2 receptor gene was linked to a genetic vulnerability for binge drinking and alcohol-related problems. Researchers felt that this connection required further investigation to see if it was just an anomaly.

This study will be published in the April 2011 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

If binge drinking has become a regular activity for individuals, they may want to enter a rehabilitation facility for substance abuse help.

 

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Not Your Parents' Drug: Marijuana Potency Reaches All-Time High

Marijuana Potency

A recent report by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy indicates that the marijuana being smoked by today's teenagers is significantly more potent than that used by previous generations.

Read Marijuana Potency Reaches All-Time High.

The Risks of Hosting Teen Parties

The Risks of Hosting Teen Parties

Parents who host teen parties should be aware of their liability should teens sneak in alcohol. Saying that you did not allow the alcohol is not enough to protect you, especially if you let these teens drive home and they cause an accident.

Read about Parent's Liability When Hosting Teen Parties.

Create - Connect - Communicate

Create - Connect - Communicate

Learn strategies to keep in touch with your children before they become teenagers and you will be in a better position to understand the pressures they face and communicate your concerns and expectations.

Create a safe, supportive environment for teaching about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

Connect with teens to find out what they know, how they feel. what pressures they face.

Communicate clearly what you expect and what the consequences of use will be.

The word "expectations" may have negative connotations, but by letting your child know what behaviors you will and will not accept, you help set the tone for their adolescence.

Teens who know their parents will not tolerate illegal drug use tend to resist peer pressure better than those whose parents avoid the issue.

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Treatment Resources:

Teen Drug Rehabs

Adult Drug Rehabs