Month: June 2015

New Study Shows ADHD Drug Abuse Starts Earlier than First Thought

Post author By VISIONS
Post date June 24, 2015

ADHD drug abuse, a problem commonly associated with the college years, may actually begin much earlier, according to the latest research. One study found that the peak range for individuals beginning to abuse these drugs was between 16 and 19. These findings suggest education must begin much earlier than high school in order to reduce abuse of drugs like Adderall, Ritalin and other prescription stimulants.

Study Results

Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School analyzed data on more than 240,000 teenagers and young adults from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. In addition to showing a younger peak range than previously thought, the data also revealed that the younger someone is when they begin using these substances, the more likely they are to become addicted.

In addition to drugs prescribed for ADHD, researchers also surveyed use of prescription diet drugs and medications containing methamphetamine. They found young females were more likely to abuse diet drugs, while males were more apt to try Adderall. Non-Hispanic white and Native American teens tended to have the highest use rates.

“We need to have a realistic understanding of when young people are beginning to experiment with stimulants, so we can prevent them from misusing for the first time,” Elizabeth Austic, author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at MU’s Injury Center, stated in a press release. “To prevent someone from using for the first time is often more cost-efficient and effective than trying to intervene once they have done it, whether a few times or for years.”

Prescription stimulants may be abused for a number of reasons, including weight loss and enhancement of physical performance. The drugs are also thought to improve academic performance, which is often why they are taken by students that feel the pressure to get good grades. However, no studies have shown these drugs improve thinking or learning capability and some have actually indicated use of the drugs without a diagnosed disorder like ADHD could impair brain function in some ways.

Prescription stimulants are also addictive, making them a dangerous choice for people at any age. Addiction means you will eventually have to take more of the drug to get the same high, and if you try to stop using, you could experience serious withdrawal symptoms.

At Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, we help teens overcome addiction to prescription stimulants and discover a healthy, productive life of sobriety. Our treatment programs address both the addiction and the underlying issues that might have led to drug use in the first place. To learn more about the treatment programs offered, contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665.

More College Students Struggle with Mental Illness

Post author By VISIONS
Post date June 23, 2015

The number of college students seeking help for mental illness is on the rise, according to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal. As campuses scramble to provide sufficient services for these students, some students are seeing increases in tuition rates to cover the cost. Despite the spending increases, many schools are still lacking the number of support staff needed based on the size of the campus to handle the students in need. More concerning is the fact that one-third of all schools do not have a psychiatrist on staff at all.

Reports of mental illness on college campuses has been increasing over the last two decades. “The American Freshman” 2014 survey by UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute found that in 1994, nine percent of college students were taking a prescription drug for a mental illness. By 2014, that number had increased to 26 percent. Nearly 10 percent of freshmen in 2014 said they felt depressed “frequently,” compared to 6.1 percent in 2009.

Type of Mental Illnesses

The two most common types of mental illnesses seen among college students are anxiety and depression. According to a 2013 report from the American Psychological Association, 41.6 percent of students seeking support for their mental disorder had symptoms of anxiety, while 36.4 percent reported symptoms of depression. Relationship issues, which are commonly associated with the college years, made up 35.8 percent of concerns.

A 2011 National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey found that nearly 30 percent of college students reported feeling “so depressed they were unable to function.” Of that number, 6.6 percent admitted to seriously contemplating suicide at least once during the past year. The American Psychiatric Association found that half of all college students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety during the same time frame.

Mental Illness and Addiction

Addressing mental illness on college campuses is a significant concern, considering many students dealing with mental disorders may also struggle with substance abuse or addiction. According to the Center for College Health and Safety, 20 percent of students that use drugs or alcohol are also likely to experience depression at the same time. Students that use substances are also four times more likely to have a diagnosis of a disruptive behavior disorder. The statistics suggest that addressing mental illness could also have a positive impact on substance use on some campuses.

Substance abuse and addiction are serious problems that are often accompanied by mental illness. At Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, we specialize in treating the combination of addiction and mental illness, known as a co-occurring disorder. We can help individuals address both of these issues simultaneously to improve their odds of sobriety and a higher quality of life overall. To learn more about our programs, contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665.

Mental Health

Study Encourages Pediatricians to Screen Teens for Mental Health Issues

Post author By VISIONS
Post date June 10, 2015

Approximately 11 percent of adolescents will develop a depressive disorder by the time they turn 18, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Because mental disorders and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand, early detection and treatment of mental health issues could reduce the number of teens abusing drugs and alcohol. A recent study found that when pediatricians are properly trained to screen for and diagnose depression in teens, level of care increases as well.

About the Study

The study, which is slated to be published in an upcoming issue of Academic Pediatrics, involved 31 pediatric primary care providers and around 1,200 patients. Researchers arranged for training for the providers that included screening, assessment and treatment for teenage depression. Physicians were also given practice sessions with actors portraying teen patients. Patient surveys were used to evaluate both short and long-term follow-up after the training.

Researchers discovered that the additional training gave physicians the confidence and knowledge to screen for depression more consistently, even 4-6 months after the initial training took place. At long-term follow-up appointments at 18 and 24 months, nearly three-fourths of the patients said they were screened by their provider. As many as 95 percent reported that had completed a self-assessment prior to their appointment.

“Adolescent depression is woefully under-recognized and undertreated,” study author Elise Fallucco, M.D., stated. “Our simple intervention empowered providers to promote early identification and treatment of adolescent depression by equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to deliver this care.”

About Teen Depression

The Mayo Clinic describes teen depression as a “serious medical problem” that requires long-term treatment. Signs of teen depression may look slightly different that adult depression symptoms. Some of those signs might include:

Frustration, irritability and anger
Withdrawal from family and friends
Loss of interest in school and activities
Sensitivity to criticism and rejection
Difficulty focusing or concentrating
Thoughts or ideation of suicide
Feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt
Changes to sleep and eating patterns
Use of drugs or alcohol in an attempt to “self-medicate” symptoms

Seeking Help

When substance abuse occurs in a teen that has depression, treatment becomes much more complex. In addition to treating the abuse or addiction, treatment must be given for the mental disorder at the same time. If the depression is not addressed in the early stages, the chance for long-lasting sobriety is much slimmer.

At Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, we have the professional team needed to treat dual diagnosis, or a coinciding diagnosis of both addiction and mental illness. We will work with you and your teen to deal not just with the addiction, but the underlying issues that led to the addiction. To learn more about our treatment programs, contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665.