Month: November 2007

Teens and Club Drugs
A Rave is an all night party that originated in Europe in the 80’s, making it over to the U.S. in the 90’s and gaining popularity over the years. These underground parties will usually start at sundown and go until the sun comes up the next morning. They are attended mostly by teenagers. “Club drugs” are quite popular among teens who attend raves. Drugs such as Ecstasy (MDMA), LSD, methamphetamine, GHB, ketamine(Special K) and rohypnol are some of these club drugs.
These drugs are discreet, which makes teenagers especially vulnerable. The do not have to be smoked. They can simply be popped in pill form or concealed in any drink. Raves can be appealing to young people who have a hard time fitting in or low self-esteem because the rave culture promotes acceptance.
Ecstasy is just one of the popular club drugs of today. It can also be known as X, E, XTC, or Adam. It is taken in a pill form that causes an enhanced sense of self confidence and energy. However, its long term affects can be quite damaging. Repeated use may damage brain cells that produce serotonin.
Raves are not the only place these club drugs can be found. They have also become popular on middle school, high school, and college campuses. Many teenagers will refer to club drugs as “fun drugs.” Most are under the false impression that they are not dangerous. They are wrong. Club drugs can produce irreversible long term affects and can even be fatal.

Diabulimia
Society, nowadays, puts endless pressure on girls young and old to be thin. Approximately 10% of adolescents and young girls in America suffer from eating disorders. But, when we think of eating disorders, usually two come to our minds; Anorexia and Bulimia.
Anorexia is when teen restricts food intake in order to control their weight. Teen anorexics have an intense fear of gaining weight and are often times severely underweight once deep into their disorder. They have a distorted body image and tend to be in denial of their low weight. Adolescents who develop this condition can also become underweight by simply refusing to gain weight as they age.
Bulimia occurs when one purges their food by induced vomiting or taking laxatives and/or diuretics. Physical symptoms are mostly easier for a bulimic to hide due to the body absorbing nutrients before purging.
These two disorders are almost impossible to achieve if Type 1 Diabetes is present. Diabetics need food in order to survive. However, if you are under the impression that someone with Type 1 Diabetes can’t have an eating disorder, think again.
A Diabetic needs to take insulin everyday in order for the body to process glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells for energy. When insulin is not taken glucose stays in the bloodstream causing blood sugar levels to rise. This eventually causes rapid weight loss and excessive urination. It is referred to as Diabulimia and can be considered an eating disorder. In fact, eating disorders are more likely to occur in girls with Type 1 Diabetes than in girls without. Sometimes it is hard to know whether one is just manipulating and controlling their insulin intake, or if it is Diabulimia.
This disorder can cause serious complications to the diabetic body. One side affect can be the early onset of diabetes complications including, but not limited to, retina damage. Having high blood sugar levels as a result of not taking insulin can eventually become fatal.
Eating disorders among teens and young adults can be quite secretive and hard to detect sometimes. The longer one has an eating disorder the harder it is to treat. All eating disorders are dangerous.

Drug dealers have begun to put a new spin on Crystal Methamphetamine in hopes to appeal to a younger crowd. They are targeting teenagers with a new form of meth called “Strawberry Quick.” Strawberry Quick is crystal meth mixed with a powdered strawberry drink to give it a more appealing color and a sweet taste which makes the drug easier and less harsh to ingest. By changing the color and taste of meth and giving it a less intimidating name, drug dealers are hoping to continue to attract a younger population. Police have also noticed meth being mixed with a variety of candy, flavored soda and chocolate flavors.
Crystal meth is a powerful drug and can become very addicting whether it’s flavored or colored, or not. This is especially true among younger users.
Dealers have also come up with a new heroine to target younger users. “Cheese” heroin is a combination of black tar heroine and Tylenol pm. This drug is most popular among adolescents in Dallas. It has been linked to a number of overdose deaths among teens. It is said that “Strawberry Quick” and “Cheese” are perfect examples of how drug dealers are attempting to attract a younger client base. By changing the name, the color, or the flavor of crystal meth and heroine, they hope to make drugs seem less harmful.

Studies may indicate that the overall percentage of elicit teen drug use has declined over recent years. However, the use and subsequent abuse of prescription medication has steadily increased in this age group at an alarming rate. Many teens find the pills in their parent’s medicine cabinet. Others share or buy them from peers. Shockingly, some even rummage through their neighbors trash to find leftover prescriptions. Furthermore, teens may not risk buying illegal drugs when they can get high on many household products, such as aerosols and other inhalants. Dust Off, super glue, oven cleaners, and other strong smelling chemicals will kill brain cells and possiably do irreparable damage to the brain.

Based on this information, it is important to remember that what we regard as “unsafe to children” extends to teens as well. Reconsider locking up anything that you might consider dangerous to a child. When you throw away an old prescription, seal it, and grind it up in cat litter or old coffee grounds. These simple precautions may save the life of someone, namely someone you love.

Teens Addicted to the Internet

The Internet was something that parents, at first welcomed into households. Parents would hope that by providing access to the Internet for their teens would allow a new and exciting world of educational opportunities to be be found. However, many parents were sorely mistaken. Some parents have found that instead of using the Internet for homework and research, a number of teenagers are spending hours in front of the computer in online chat rooms and participating in online-gaming. Professionals say that the Internet can be very engaging; making it difficult for someone to keep track of how much time is spent online. This can lead to a serious problem. Mental health practitioners are still under debate on whether this is considered an addiction or compulsive behavior. Activities such as chat rooms, instant messaging and multi-user gaming make it easy for teens to become addicted to the Internet. It is often times that shy kids who are unpopular that feel an attraction to creating a new identity with online gaming. Online gaming provides role-playing games where anyone can assume a new identity and interact with other online gamers. There are many psychological affects of Internet addiction ranging anywhere from feeling a sense of emptiness and depression while away from the computer to lying about the amount of time spent online. Physical symptoms may include dry eyes, Carpal Tunnel syndrome, migraines, backaches, skipping meals and even neglect of personal hygiene. Internet addicts may also suffer from sleep disturbances and changes in sleep patterns. It is advised that, to prevent Internet addiction, parents should keep their computers in common areas of the house and never in a child’s bedroom. It is also important to support and encourage your child’s participation in other activities.

Most teen drug treatment professionals will agree that teens with eating disorders share risk factors with teens who abuse substances. They also say that there are shared characteristics in both addictions. Up to half the adolescents that have eating disorders abuse drugs and/or alcohol. It is said that 35% of teens who abuse drugs and alcohol have eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Teens at risk for both addictions share risk factors including low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, an approval seeking personality, the tendency to be impulsive and are usually experiencing stress or a transition of some sort. Those suffering from co-occurring disorders like eating disorders combined with drug addiction often use caffeine, alcohol, laxatives, amphetamines, emetics, cocaine and heroin. These substances relieve anxiety and stress, may suppress ones appetite and rid the body of excess or unwanted calories. Characteristics in both might include chronic disease with a high rate of relapse, preoccupation with behaviors such as; using drugs, drinking, eating or not eating, secretiveness, rituals and compulsive behavior. The combination of both addictions may be life threatening and usually requires intensive treatment.Mental health professionals say that often times teen eating disorders and teen drug abuse go hand in hand.

Crystal Meth has become one of the most popular street drugs among teens today. It is inexpensive and easy to make. Made with over the counter products, crystal Meth is manufactured in street laboratories. Because it is so easy to make and inexpensive, it has the potential for widespread teen abuse. Crystal Meth is extremely dangerous to make. Manufacturing the drug can result in fires and explosions. According to the DEA, in 2004 27 people died in Meth lab accidents. Three of which were children. Crystal Meth has also been referred to as Ice,Meth “glass” and just Crystal. It is an odorless crystalline powder that is bitter-tasting and dissolves in water and alcohol. Side effects for teenagers on Meth can include but are not limited to loss of appetite and increase in activity. The effects can last anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. After the initial “high” or “rush” coming down from Meth can bring a state of high agitation and in some cases violent behavior. Long term side effects of use cam also include insomnia, seizures, brain damage, uncontrollable anxiety or rage, stroke, twitching, impaired speech, malnutrition and eventually possible death. Research into teen Meth addiction and the process of recovery from Crystal Meth has proved to have many components. Not only does the teen addict need to recover physically, but emotionally, mentally and physically as well. Twelve step recovery programs prove to be key elements in recovering from addiction to teen Crystal Meth addiction.

Prescription drug abuse among teens in on the rise. Recently there are more
teenagers seeking teen treatment for addiction and more putting their lives on the line for prescription narcotics. The case on October 20th of the Junction City boy, just fourteen years old, who overdosed on vicoden and morphine at a party is one more case that illustrates how serious this problem has become. Teenagers are now attending parties in which they bring pharmaceuticals, throw them in a bowl, mix them together and each take a handful. These parties are called “pharming” parties. Use of stimulants used to treat ADD and ADHD, such as Ritalin and Aderol are also rising. These amphetamine stimulants are popular among teens because of their availability. In 2006 there were lower numbers of adolescents who abused illegal drugs. There were fairly big numbers of teens who abused prescription narcotics. Teens drug abusers seem to be shying away more from street drugs and beginning to use prescription drugs to produce the same kind of high. These adolescents drug users are under the false impression that prescription drugs are safer. In fact these drugs are just as addictive and dangerous, and mixed with alcohol can be fatal.

There is a new boot camp in South Korea for internet addiction. This is a new kind of rehab that resembles drug treatment for teens in the United States. But these kids are not struggling with addictions to cocaine, oxycontin or marijuanna. They are dealing with a very real addiction to the internet. Addiction to the internet is recognized as a mental health issue in the United states a “Pathological Computer Use”. Millions of Americans are at risk for this disorder.

The holidays are a difficult time for many individuals. Adolescents who have recently graduated form treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are at high risk for relapse. Individuals who have had a history of suicide attempts and or feelings and those dealing with feelings of self harm, anxiety or deal with distorted eating are also at high risk for relapse. The holidays may seem like lights, presents and family to most. Unfortunately for many, family celebrations create stress, fear and resentment.

It is important to make a concerted effort to take care of yourself during this time.
www.safeusa.org/blues.htm