Womens Symposium

One size will not fit all. Starting November 1st, 2007 there is a women's symposium in Rancho Mirage California. The symposium is directed by the Betty Ford Center and Caron Treatment Centers. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers are sponsoring this exceptional event as well.

Adolescent drug treatment differs from adult alcohol and drug treatment. Women's alcohol and drug treatment differs from male addiction treatment. Leading treatment centers such as The Betty Ford Center and Caron Treatment Centers have taken the lead in addressing need specific addiction treatment.

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provides counseling, groups, and activities addressing gender specific issues, body image, eating disorders, relapse prevention, family issues, art therapy, equine therapy and will provide individualized services when clinically directed.

If you are interested in this symposium please follow the link at the bottom.


http://www.womenssymposium.org/

Action vs Reaction

Drug and alcohol use is like driving down a road at 100 miles an hour. Somehow we as a society have related using the following drugs: methamphetamine, cocaine, pot / marijuana, aderol, Oxycontin, xanax, vicoden, Ecstasy, acid, as recreational experimentation. However, no parent would say that driving 100 miles an hour is experimental driving. Parents call speeding dangerous, risky, stupid and not to mention expensive - potential costs involved if the minor is ticketed, for example. Using alcohol and drugs is always dangerous and is unfortunately many times combined with reckless driving.

Parents should take action in protecting adolescents form the dangerous decisions they make. Intervention, counseling, assessment, treatment, and drug testing are actions.

Khat a New Drug

Confusion surrounds a new drug called Khat. It is a dried leaf that many East Africans use as a Stimulant. The confusion stems (no pun intended) from differing state and Federal statutes, the fact that it is hard to identify and it's chemical properties change with time. Within the first 48 hours of harvest the plant contains an illegal drug called Catholine that causes a Strong euphoric high when chewed. After those first 48 hours the psychoactive chemical becomes Cathine, a much milder form of the drug that is often steeped in hot water to make a tea. It is unclear Whether this drug has left it's cultural circles and the teenage culture.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse: The Issue

We live a world full of instant fixes and immediate responses. The idea that drug and alcohol abuse may be a life long battle to over come does not sit well. Substance abuse treatment is about connection, family and self discovery. Adolescents who use, cocaine, meth amphetamine, pot / marijuana, alcohol, zannix, adoral and a myriad of mind and mood altering chemicals are at high risk for: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, cutting / self harm, anger, violence, sexual abuse, disease, and destroyed education. If the focus for adolescent treatment is only symptoms continued abstinence is rare.

Adolescent chemical dependency treatment is a complex and challenging undertaking. Aggressive evidenced based therapies combined with a comprehensive multi modal 12 Step based approach, including intensive family work is key to success.

Teen Meth Use

Crystal Meth is an Amphetamine that is classefied as a stimulant. Meth is known to create a sense of well being, increase energy, alertness, etc. It is also known to depress the appetite which is very attractive to teenage girls with body image issues or eating disorder as a form of weight control. Meth is extremely addictive for adolescents and adults alike. It is very damaging to an adolescents mind and body development. It's use among the teen culture has grown at an alarming rate over the last five years. Crystal Meth is often referred to as Speed, Meth, Crank, Ice, Chalk, Tweek, etc. Other Stimulants are cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Adderall, Ritalin and Amphetamine.

Teen Opiate Abuse

As professionals working in teen-drug-treatment-centers we see many adolescents coming into drug-treatment who have been abusing opiates. Opiates come from the Poppy plant. The Poppy plant produces a substance called opium. Many drugs that are being abused today by teens are made from Opium. Drugs like Oxycontin, Vicodine, Norco, Cheese and Heroin. Drugs like Oxy and Vicodine create a sense of well being, pleasure and a dream-like-state. There is a very high risk of addiction and overdose resulting in death for adolescent-drug-users.

CROSS ADDICTION

An issue that adolescents have with recovery is replacing the drugs, alcohol, or other self-harming behavior with positive behaviors. One fear is that the adolescent will change or switch addictions, this is known as cross addiction. For example, an unhealthy behavior that has to be addressed is sexual promiscuity. One of the biggest distractions that teens use to not focus on themselves is to focus on each other. Switching from one partner to the next can become just as much as a rush as using a substance. In this case sex and the partners they use become the addiction. Another example of cross addiction occurs when an adolescent gets clean and sober from mind-altering substances and develops a gambling habit. In gambling the person can experience the same adrenaline rush that the substance once gave them. Both of these behaviors can be very destructive for any adolescent in recovery and may eventually lead to relapse. Some other examples of cross addiction are: cutting, internet, video games, shopping, energy drinks and unhealthy eating habits.

The goal of every adolescent in recovery should be to live a happy, healthy, and productive life. Negative influences are always going to be a part of society, but through the self – esteem building process of treatment the adolescent will learn to make better choices. Education for adolescents is a key component. It is important to educate adolescents in the disease concept of addiction as well as relapse prevention. It is important to raise adolescents awareness of their self – harming escape behaviors. In addition, it is important to give adolescents healthy alternatives/hobbies to negative behaviors, such as: doing well in school, playing a sport, exercise, eating healthy, music or art. These alternatives will lower the adolescents likelihood of using negative coping mechanisms, and decreases the likelihood of cross addiction and eventually relapse. Getting adolescents involved in a 12-step component support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous is essential. Working with a sponsor to help relate to another person that has already made the changes necessary to live a positive life is equally as important. Dealing with current issues and educating adolescents on possible cross addictions gives them the best chance at success and reaching their fullest potential.
Brian Wildason

Malibu Canyon Fire

Will the Malibu Canyon Fire affect drug rehabs in Malibu. Drug treatment centers should have a fire department approved evacuation plan in place. Visions Adolescent Treatment Center meets with the local fire department once a year to discuss fire prevention, brush clearence and evacuation plans.

Malibu Canyon Fire

Will the Malibu Canyon Fire affect the local Malibu Drug rehabs? Drug rehabs should have a fire department approved plan for evacuation. Visions Adolescent Treatment Center meets with the local Fire Department once a year to discuss fire prevention, brush clearence and evacuation plans.

"our Teens are safe and we have a plan if the fire situation should change" says Director of Operations John Lieberman.

Celebrity Influence on Teen Drug Use

Celebrity influence on teen drug use and Teen Drug rehab is at an all time high. Adolescents acquire much of thier beliefs about drugs and alcohol from role models. With celebrities like Brittany Spears and her abuse of prescription drugs. Lindsay Lohan's cocaine abuse and eating disorder. Pete Doherty's cocaine use and heroin abuse. Model Kate Moss's addiction and stay in drug rehab. The list could go on as a virtual who's who of hollywood elite's stays in drug treatment centers. If you combine the facts that celebrities are looked up to by adolescents with social pressures and a genetic predisposition it's no wonder so many teens end up struggling with addiction and alcohol abuse today.

Lindsay and Britany get teen drug treatment

What if Lindsay Lohan and Britany Spears had gotten help in a teen drug Treatment Center when they were teens? Were there signs off addiction in thier Adolescent years? Lindsay Lohan partying in adult after hour clubs while underage. Some one should have initiated an Adolescent Intervention. Early intervention is proven to increase a persons chance for success when recovering from issues connected to drugs and alcohol.

Teenagers Recovering from Addiction

Adolescents entering early recovery (0-9 months) should attend regular young peoples alcoholics anonymous and young peoples narcotics anonymous 12 step support groups. Young people support groups meet the needs for adolescents struggling to find acceptance, direction and understanding during the early stages of recovery. Adolescents should always be monitored by responsible adults while attending 12 step related recovery groups.

Adolescent Drug Abuse

Adolescent drug abuse is treatable. There are substance abuse experts who treat adolescents with varying levels of drug and or alcohol use / abuse. It is important when evaluating an adolescent for substance use, addiction, and drug use that the professional is experienced, and credentialed to treat teenagers / adolescents.

Teen Drug Treatment

Teen Drug Treatment Centers should be staffed by Licensed and accredited Professionals for maximum results. Adolescent Rehabs should have a staff that consists of Physicians, Licensed Therapists, Chemical Dependency Counselors, Registered dietitians, Psychologists, etc. Teen rehabs need to be safe and secure for the teen,family and Staff.

Topamax may help reduce alcohol addiction

The AP is reporting that "A migraine [and epilepsy] pill seems to help alcoholics taper off their drinking without detox treatment,...offering a potential option for a hard-to-treat problem," according to a study published in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The pill is called Topamax (topiramate), and may "appeal to heavy drinkers who would rather seek help from their own doctors, rather than enter a rehab clinic to dry out." Heavy drinkers consumed about "11 standard drinks daily," which translates into "two six-packs of beer each day, or two bottles of wine." While study participants noted some side effects, addiction specialist Dr. Mark Willenbring of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, said, "The size of the treatment effect is larger than in most of the other medications we've seen. ... And all the drinking variables changed in the right direction." On average, Topamax would cost about $350 per month, in addition to physicians' fees.