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Recovery Trauma

Awareness—Rape Culture and Addiction

Rape isn’t a new problem. Everyone in the world knows about someone in their family, a friend, or neighbor that has been affected by an incident of sexual assault. Acts like rape ruin lives, and it has to stop. When we think about rape victims, many people don’t quite understand that everything stops and nothing is ever the same for them. Victims of rape are at the highest rate for alcohol and substance abuse, where addiction and self-isolation—that delicately toes the line for suicide—takes hold of their world and makes them a prisoner to the unsafe place that is now their home.

The Brock Turner Case Issue

The case of the State vs. Brock Turner isn’t a case we can think of where justice has been served, but where the justice system has fallen short once again. For those victims of rape, thoughts about what it felt like are refreshed with this injustice. For men and women, young teens and children all over the world that have experienced something like this, we know there is nothing that can be done to reverse what’s happened in the past.

No life sentence can change the way you feel when someone invades your personal space, the difficulty you have when trying to engage in romantic activity with your partner, or how you feel about yourself throughout your lifetime. What justice does, is bring awareness to the issue.

Building awareness about rape and the problems that come flooding into the lives of the victims is what needs to happen now. The issues that come up about people of color and white privilege come to the surface. To stop rape from occurring as well as the snowball of social, mental and physical health problems that ensue from it, we must teach our children to care for one another and to know what’s right from wrong. We can’t allow people to think it’s okay or that it’s something minor and that a person should be more careful because this isn’t the issue. We cannot ask victims if they egged someone on or if they are sure they didn’t allow it to happen. Think before you put someone down and discount their struggle with rape. It’s never okay.

We at Visions Adolescent Treatment Center understand that every voice must be heard, and therapy is essential to rebuild, in some capacity, a safe and comforting space. Therapy helps victims understand why they react the way they do from physical touch and anything sensory.

We encourage our clients to speak out and inspire others to do so as well. When we come together and bring awareness to the world, the chances for rape to occur and for victims to isolate is reduced. When we say it’s not okay, that’s when we can lift the veil and help people deal with their broken worlds.

If you or a loved one suffers from addiction and struggles with sexual assault, call Visions Adolescent Treatment Center today at (818) 889-3665.

Originally posted on September 8, 2016 @ 3:28 pm

Categories
Recovery

We Mourn Orlando

The LGBTQ Community and Suicide

Thinking back on the incredible tragedy that occurred just a week ago in Florida, we remember that hate crimes like this have affected the LGBTQ community for decades and will continue unless we open our hearts. The story of the man that committed this crime has brought to light some things about suicide rates of the queer community that don’t have the support they need to feel part of and accepted.

Teens are at high risk for suicide, up to 30% of LGBTQ youth commit suicide as reported by the US Department of Health and Human Services. It comes down to a combination of responsibilities we have to our LGBTQ friends, family and fellow humans: awareness, community support, and vital mental health services.

Awareness

A few things happen when tragedy strikes, the first is that eyes are opened. The second is that once we are aware, we can’t help but see the problems we contribute to every single day. Privilege is a real thing, and it’s important that we understand privileges that straight couples hold, being able to show affection to your loved one without comment. How many of us can say that we’ve never thought about that? Not only are those in the LGBTQ community afraid to show their love freely, but may not feel able to express themselves as queer because of these obstacles.

When we are forced to live in fear and can’t express who we are, feeling isolated and disposable is what’s left. Depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide are a terrible side effect of these feelings. Our society unfortunately breeds fear and makes people feel unsafe to express themselves as they are. It’s up to us to create a safe and comforting environment to help those in the LGBTQ community feel supported and loved.

Community Support

Queer people need the support of the community now, more than ever before. We must say no to hate, and that enough is enough. At Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, Alumni Coordinator Roxie says, “We treat so many kids from the community with love and respect AND even have kids come out in treatment because of how safe they feel.” Suicide rates are high, but we continually need to reach out and pull someone back from the edge. Over 25% of those in the LGBTQ community are victimized daily, and this continues without counseling or support; this problem is often ignored.

We see adolescents every day that lack the sincere support of their families and their community to accomplish their goals. When you feel alone, your confidence is low, and things seem that much harder. Coming to terms with and accepting who we are is hard enough without people behaving negatively. We can change this by replacing fear with confidence and love.

Mental Health Needs

This man took the lives of over 50 people because he could not come to terms with who he was and was undoubtedly in need of mental health services; this story is an extreme case that we hope will never happen again in our lifetime, or ever from this point on. About this individual, externalization of guilt and hatred toward the LGBTQ community was bottled and tragically expressed.

If mental health services were offered, this might have been handled within a safe and therapeutic environment to avoid this unhealthy and heinous crime. In the world of mental health and addiction services, you can’t treat one without treating the other; it’s our turn to reach out and step up to the plate to be more and be human.

We mourn Orlando and all of the families that have felt loss at this time and will continually throughout their lives. At Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, we offer our alumni, youth, and their families all the support they need and reach out into the community to promote awareness. Call Visions today to talk more about our adolescent addiction and mental health services at (818) 889-3665. Our eyes and hands are open.

Originally posted on July 12, 2016 @ 5:55 pm

Categories
Recovery

What You Need to Know about Liquid Marijuana

Marijuana legalization continues to spread nationwide, despite concerns by adolescent drug rehabilitation centers and others that this process is posing a serious danger to younger drug users. Now, a new danger has surfaced in the form of liquid marijuana, a synthetic substance that has sent many users to the hospital due to its potentially lethal side effects. This latest form of synthetic marijuana is concerning on a number of levels, which is why parents and teens need to be aware of what liquid marijuana is and just how harmful it can be.

Related: Teen Marijuana Abuse Treatment

What is Liquid Marijuana?
Synthetic marijuana has come onto the market in recent years as manufacturers have been able to skirt around the law to get this product to convenience stores and online retailers. The products are sold as “incense” or other household products, “not for human consumption.” However, those looking for a fast, intense high know exactly what to do with products dubbed K2 and Spice, with a variety of ways to consume the product.

Liquid marijuana is a colorless, odorless form of synthetic marijuana. The liquid is usually sold in cartridges or small bottles, labeled with names like “Cloud Nine” and marketed as incense. The substance was specifically designed to be used in “vape pens,” a type of e-cigarette that teens are using more and more to inhale flavored vapors and some drugs.

Higher Concentrations mean Greater Risks
Like other forms of synthetic marijuana, the greatest danger in liquid pot may be in the increased concentration of the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. While marijuana leaves contain around 20 percent THC, synthetic forms may contain anywhere from 50-90 percent THC. Because the products are unregulated it is impossible to know the precise concentration in any dose. It is also unknown whether there are other potentially dangerous chemicals or substances in the mix.

The higher THC concentration largely counters the arguments from marijuana advocates that the drug is “safe.” While marijuana leaves are dangerous enough, synthetic substances greatly increase the risk of severe side effects, overdose and death. In addition, the higher concentrations of THC can make synthetic marijuana much more addictive.

Hiding the Drug in Vape Pens
Another major concern with the increasing popularity of liquid marijuana is the ability to smoke this substance undetected. Vape pens are commonly used for liquid marijuana. Because the liquid is both colorless and odorless, it is impossible to distinguish this substance from other liquids used in the devices. Liquid marijuana can even be combined with other substances like flavored liquids that further mask the possible signs substance while smoking.

Social media is filled with posts from teens across the country that have bragged about using drugs in vape pens in their bedrooms and even in classrooms. Parents and teachers are unaware of what the substances are inside and even if they were suspicious, it is likely laboratory tests would be required to accurately identify the substances used in these devices.

Liquid marijuana is one more way pot is becoming a more lethal substance in our world today. If you or someone you know is struggling with marijuana abuse or dependency, it is time to seek help from an adolescent drug rehabilitation center. Contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665 today to get the help you need.

Originally posted on March 2, 2016 @ 11:28 am

Categories
Recovery

The Truth about Vaping

The e-cigarette has been touted by manufacturers as the safer electronic alternative to the cancer-causing cigarettes people have been smoking for many years. Now, the vaping trend has grown exponentially to include many young adults and teenagers. As the popularity has grown, so has concerns over the actual safety of this practice, including those in adolescent alcohol rehab centers that are worried vaping could evolve into more serious and dangerous drug use.

What is Vaping?
Vaping uses battery-powered devices known as vape pens to inhale a water vapor. The vape pen has a coil inside to heat the water and create the vapor, which is inhaled into the lungs and then blown out like a regular cigarette. The water is often flavored with “kid-friendly” selections like root beer and bubble gum. Many may contain nicotine and other substances as well. There is no regulation on the water vapors sold for the vape pens, which means consumers may not know everything in the solution that is going into their lungs.

Popularity of Vaping
Despite the many unknowns of vaping to date, use of these devices is soaring nationwide. According to data from the National Youth Tobacco Surveys sponsored by the FDA and CDC, e-cigarette use among high school students rose from 1.1 to 3.9 percent in 2014 alone. A survey found that more than 16 percent of 10th graders had vaped in the past 30 days versus seven percent that admitted to smoking cigarettes.

The perception that vaping is safe has also risen, with a University of Michigan study finding that just over 12 percent of 12th graders thought the practice was harmful. However, recent studies are finding that this perception may be very incorrect.

Risks Associated with Vaping
Researchers are discovering a number of risks associated with the vaping trend:

Nicotine Dangers – Many vaping liquids contain nicotine, the same addictive substance found in cigarettes. Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis determined that nicotine in e-cigarette liquids caused lung inflammation in mice and even e-cigarette fluid without nicotine could cause a degree of inflammation.

Free Radical Damage – A scientist at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York found that e-cigarette vapors emit free radicals, environmental substances that damage cells in the body and affect immune function. Some free radicals accelerate the aging process while others increase the body’s risk for some types of diseases.

Immune System Compromised – Another researcher from the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System discovered that vaping can suppress immune system function, making it harder for the body to ward off some types of germs. Scientists from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health made similar conclusions from their studies on the connection between vaping and immune dysfunction.

Fear of the Unknown One of the biggest concerns surrounding the vaping trend is the fact that it is impossible to know precisely what an e-cigarette user is vaping. While the smells associated with traditional cigarettes and marijuana joints belied the substances inside, the water vapors for e-cigarettes can take on nearly any type of odor or no odor at all. This means users can place any type of substances, including illicit drugs, into their device without anyone knowing.

Barbara Carreno, a spokesperson for the DEA, told CNN last fall that social media is filled with posts from young users claiming to be vaping drugs right in their classrooms or bedrooms. In addition to vaping pot, users are finding that synthetic drugs like Spice and K2 can be vaped as well.

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers is an adolescent alcohol rehab center that is concerned about the vaping trend among our youth on many different levels. If you would like more information on this trend, contact us today at 866-889-3665.

Originally posted on March 2, 2016 @ 11:21 am

Categories
Recovery

Tobacco Addictions among Teens

While drug and alcohol addictions among teens seem to garner the most attention, some scientists believe focusing on tobacco addiction could be even more beneficial to teen health. Last November, University of Georgia researchers determined the same programs used to get teens off of drugs and alcohol could be effective for tobacco addiction. By weaning teens off of tobacco, researchers also suggested treatment for drug and alcohol dependencies could be more effective as well.

The Dangers of Tobacco
Nicotine is the ingredient in tobacco that is addictive and it is particularly dangerous for younger smokers. Because the teen brain is still “under construction” it is more vulnerable to the effects of nicotine. This also makes the young brain more vulnerable to nicotine addiction, even after a just a few cigarettes. In addition to nicotine, cigarettes contain carbon monoxide, tar and other substances that can lead to damage of vital organs like the heart and lungs.

Prevalence of Teen Smoking
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that more than 2,500 kids under the age of 18 try smoking every day. Peak years for trying cigarettes appears to be between the ages of 11 and 13, with 14.8 percent of students admitting to trying out the habit by the end of eighth grade. Of those who experiment with cigarettes, approximately 580 become regular smokers each day.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that tobacco prematurely takes the lives of around 480,000 U.S. residents every year. That makes up around 20 percent of all deaths in the U.S. and equates to 1,300 deaths every day.

Access to Treatment Options
Researchers in this recent study analyzed 22 substance abuse treatment centers across the U.S. to determine whether any of the facilities focused on helping patients overcome tobacco addiction. The scientists discovered that a very few number of counselors in these centers implemented tobacco cessation programs, despite the fact that they have the knowledge to oversee these programs and the ability to prescribe medications to help those with a tobacco addiction.

While the researchers found that counselors at treatment centers were focused on other types of substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol, those that encouraged tobacco cessation at the same time saw fewer patients relapse during their recovery. This realization led the researchers of the study to recommend smoking cessation programs at treatment centers, since these programs may offer far-reaching benefits to patients struggling with more than one type of addiction.

Many Risks of Tobacco
Today, cigarettes are not the only way people can become addicted to tobacco. Chewing tobacco is also addictive and leads to serious health problems like mouth and throat cancer, gum disease and tooth loss. Smokers that use water pipes (hookahs) or electronic cigarettes can also suffer the consequences of the dangerous chemicals they inhale through these devices. In fact, lack of sufficient studies in this area leave users at a loss as to just how much damage they are doing. Some experts estimate the exposure to the harmful chemicals could be higher, making these forms of smoking even more dangerous than traditional cigarettes.

Tobacco is just one type of addiction plaguing young people in the U.S. today. If you or someone you know is battling an addiction, help is available. Contact the team at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665 to find out how we can help you overcome your substance addiction today.

Originally posted on March 2, 2016 @ 11:01 am

Categories
Recovery

Popular Teen Apps Parents Need to Know About

Visions, an adolescent residential treatment center located in Southern California, has a warning to parents about what their kids are looking at on their mobile devices. Today, there are many apps that pose dangers to young users, giving them access to sexual material, making cyberbullying easier and allowing kids to hide the information on their phones from their parents. By learning about the most popular teen apps today, you will be equipped to check the devices of your own children to make sure no potential risks are lurking.

Hiding the Evidence
Kids are using apps that look innocent enough, but are really fronts for much more offensive material inside. For example, “calculator” apps like Best Secret Folder, KYMS (Keep Your Media Safe) and Private Photo are all disguised as calculator apps but secretly store photos and other material away from parents’ prying eyes.

Audio Manager is another app used for this purpose. While the name implies the app is to be used for managing music files or controlling sound quality, the real purpose is to keep photos, videos and even other apps safely hidden from view. All you need to do to unlock the screen is hold down the Audio Manager app and press in your code.

Erasing the Evidence
While some apps hide photos and messages, others promise to destroy messages after a determined period of time. Snapchat is the most common app for this purpose, but Burn Note has also been gaining steam recently.

The problem with these apps is that they can give teens a false sense of security that whatever they post on the app will not be permanent. This can lead to teens posting photos and messages they would not necessarily post otherwise. Unfortunately, there are numerous ways to recover the information that has “self-destructed” on these apps, allowing the inappropriate material to get into the hands of total strangers and even sexual predators.

Conversing with Strangers
Another serious danger with many of the apps today is that they allow teens to interact with random strangers with few if any limits on the content of the conversations. The result can be messages filled with sexual content, bullying and references to drugs and alcohol. Some of the most popular apps in this category include Omegle, Whisper and Yik Yak.

Dating apps like Tinder and Blendr also appeal to some teens, particularly the ability to post videos, photos and messages and have them “rated” by other members of the community. Both of these apps feature GPS tracking, which makes it far too easy to connect adults and unsuspecting kids. The rating feature can also be used as a bullying tool, as kids can gang up on one person’s profile.

The Link to Substance Abuse
In addition to the blatant risks listed above, there are other potential dangers hiding behind many of these apps. Even when the messages found within are not sexual in nature, many of them can be very dark – referring to depression, suicide and substance abuse. Kids that have not been exposed to these subjects at school or within their friend groups may find themselves immersed on their mobile devices, without the assistance of adults to navigate the confusing and sometimes scary issues.

Visions is an adolescent residential treatment center concerned with all aspects of teen health as a means to prevent substance abuse and addiction. To learn more about our treatment programs, contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers today at 866-889-3665.

Originally posted on February 29, 2016 @ 1:49 pm

Categories
Recovery

Study Finds Excessive Pot Smoking Leads to Verbal Memory Loss

Another study has raised concerns amid the ongoing debate over marijuana legalization, particularly among those at adolescent residential rehab centers that see the effects of this drug firsthand. The new study indicates daily, long-term marijuana use may contribute to impairment of short-term memory. When combined with the results of other studies, opponents of marijuana legalization point out that these findings support the idea that marijuana use can lead to some type of cognitive decline over time.

Marijuana Use and Verbal Memory Loss
The recent study, which was published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at the marijuana use of nearly 3,400 Americans over a period of 25 years. All of the subjects were between the ages of 18 and 30 years at the beginning of the study, and answered questions about their pot use eight times throughout the duration of the research. At the end of the study, subjects were asked to complete a bevy of cognitive tests that measured focus, short-term memory and decision-making skills, among other cognitive abilities.

One of those tests was a list of 15 words adults were given to read and study. Twenty-five minutes later, the adults were asked to write down all of the words on that list from memory. Adults that used marijuana heavily over an extended period of time were able to recall fewer words overall than those that did not use the drug.

Researchers found that those that smoked pot daily for five years or longer showed “statistically significant” declines in verbal memory. Verbal memory encompasses the ability to recall words. The more pot the test subjects used and the longer they used it, the greater the declines.

At this time, the researchers that conducted the study determined that the cognitive decline might be attributed to the fact that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, may impact how information is processed in the part of the brain known as the hippocampus.

While researchers admitted there were some limitations in the recent study, they also noted that the results gained followed others that have indicted marijuana use could lead to declines in cognitive abilities. For example, a study by New Zealand researchers has found that longtime marijuana users tended to see a dip in IQ scores as opposed to those that never smoked pot. Those reduced scores seemed to persist even if marijuana use was stopped, indicating the decline could be permanent.

Marijuana Risks Documented
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there is substantial evidence that exposure to marijuana has long-term and even permanent effects on the brain. While many of the initial marijuana studies were performed on animals, a growing body of research on humans is showing similar results. Scientists have found additional support that the THC in marijuana alters way the hippocampus functions. Since the hippocampus is the area of the brain responsible for memory formation, it makes sense that altering this area also may alter the way memories are stored, processed and recalled.

In addition to the cognitive impairment marijuana might cause, it has also been shown to damage the lungs and heart, particularly when smoked. Women that use marijuana while pregnant also increase the risk of birth defects in their unborn children. Many are concerned that legalizing the drug could increase its use, which could also increase the potential dangers.

Finding an Adolescent Residential Rehab Center
Contrary to the claims of those in favor of legalizing marijuana, the drug can be both addictive and dangerous. If you are struggling with marijuana abuse, contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665.

Originally posted on February 9, 2016 @ 4:56 pm

Categories
Recovery

Does Medical Marijuana Lead to Teen Marijuana Use?

As the debate about legalizing marijuana continues across the country, questions have arisen about how legalization for medical reasons has impacted marijuana use among the younger population. While some organizations are asserting the rise in medical marijuana has had no effect on marijuana use among teens, there is evidence to the contrary. Since studies have also shown marijuana use at an earlier age can lead to impaired brain function and even a drop in intelligence, it is important to weigh all the facts when determining whether medical marijuana is a viable option in the U.S.

Teen Use in Marijuana States

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found a direct correlation between teens using pot and states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. According to this data, the number of teens using the substance increased by one-third in medical marijuana states. In contrast, the rest of the country saw an increase of six percent in teen pot use.

The survey also found that in 2005, approximately 20 percent of the entire U.S. population lived in states legalizing marijuana for medical reasons. However, those states saw more increases in adolescent marijuana use – up to two-thirds more than the rest of the country. Teen marijuana use in states that have not legalized marijuana has barely increased from 2005-2011.

Is Marijuana Really Medicine?

While the medicinal benefits of marijuana have been touted by some groups in this country, the FDA has yet to recognize the substance as a legitimate medication. Few controlled clinical studies have been performed on marijuana to determine the safety or efficacy of the substance for patients with certain medical conditions. This means the FDA is not able at this time to determine whether the benefits of marijuana outweigh the risks for these patients.

However, the FDA has approved medications that contain the chemicals from marijuana, known as cannabinoids. These medications are currently available in pill form, guaranteeing consistency in every dose taken. Known as dronabinol and nabilone, these medications can be safely prescribed to treat nausea in chemotherapy patients or stimulate appetite in patients suffering from AIDs.

The American College of Pediatricians has stated there is little scientific evidence to support marijuana as medicine and has also warned that legalization of the substance for medicinal purposes has also increased use of marijuana among adolescents. Marijuana legalization is not supported by key medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Medical Association.

Despite its legal status in some states, marijuana is a federally illicit substance that can be both addictive and dangerous. If you are struggling with marijuana abuse, contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers today at 866-889-3665.

Originally posted on January 29, 2016 @ 3:30 pm

Categories
Recovery

Opioid Prescriptions Can Lead to Abuse, Dependency in Teens

The narcotic OxyContin was recently approved by the FDA for use in children between the ages of 11 and 16. The approval comes at the same time a University of Michigan study found teens that use prescription drugs legally during adolescence have a higher risk for substance abuse when they become adults. In fact, kids that use prescription opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin during high school increase their risk for drug abuse by one-third by the time they reach the age of 23.

The problem appears to be centered on the fact that teens that use prescription drugs as recommended by their doctors find a positive sensation of pain relief from using the drugs. Because this feeling stems from what is perceived as a safe environment for taking the drug, teens may be more likely to turn to that drug later on for non-medical purposes. Unfortunately, the highly addictive nature of opioids can land users in an adolescent residential treatment center rather quickly, since some get hooked after just a few pills.

U-M Study
Researchers in this study looked at data from U-M’s Monitoring the Future study, an ongoing survey that tracks behaviors, values and attitudes of secondary school students and young adults across the U.S. The survey asked more than 6,000 12th graders about their opioid use and followed up with the subjects through ages 19-23 to determine whether opioid misuse occurred during that time.

The study discovered that the teens most likely to abuse opioids often had little or no history of drug use. In fact, many of those students “strongly disapprove” of drug use overall. Richard Miech, lead author of the study and a research professor at U-M Institute for Social Research summed up the findings by saying, “A pleasurable and safe initial experience with a drug is a central factor in theories of who goes on to misuse drugs.”

This particular study did not include specifics of prescriptions like dosage, length of use or effectiveness. The study also did not include students that dropped out of high school prior to 12th grade. Past history suggests drug abuse is more prevalent within this particular population.

The Problem of Opioid Abuse
Opioids are drugs that are prescribed by physicians to treat and manage pain. They are frequently prescribed after surgery or for patients dealing with severe chronic pain issues. These drugs are extremely addictive, even for those taking them for medical reasons. Once the medical problem is resolved, people may continue to crave the drug for the “high” or pleasurable sensation they experience after taking it.

Opioid addiction is extremely dangerous and the risk of an overdose is high. In 2014 alone, there were18,893 overdose deaths linked to prescription painkillers, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Some users that run into difficulty getting the prescription drugs illegally will turn to heroin, an illicit drug that produces similar effects but tends to be cheaper and more readily available on the street. In 2014, 10,754 people died of heroin overdoses in the U.S.

Teens that develop a dependency on opioids often require an adolescent residential treatment center to deal with the acute withdrawal symptoms that often follow opioid abuse. If you or someone you love is struggling with an opioid addiction, help is available today. Contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665.

Originally posted on January 29, 2016 @ 3:25 pm

Categories
Recovery

Substance Abuse and Adolescent Brain Development

The teen years are a common time for experimentation with drugs and alcohol. This trend can be attributed in part to the way the adolescent brain develops. Unfortunately, that development can also be affected by substance abuse, which can lead to long-term and even permanent impairment in brain function. It is important for parents to understand the link between brain development and substance use to get an accurate picture of how one might affect the other in their children.

Brain Development in Teens
Brain development during the adolescent years generally takes place from the back of the brain to the front. The cerebellum, which is located at the back of the brain and controls physical coordination, is typically the first to develop. This is followed by the maturation of the amygdala, which controls emotion, and the nucleus acumbens, which is responsible for motivation. The last portion of the brain to fully develop is the prefrontal cortex.

The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain responsible for judgment and decision-making. It also controls impulse control, which is why teens often have a “why not?” attitude when trying new things. Unfortunately, this “why not?” attitude can also lead them to experiment with drugs and alcohol during this time of life.

Effects of Substance Abuse
Because the brain is continuing to develop during the adolescent years, drug and alcohol use during this time can be especially harmful. Some of the effects of substance use on the developing teen brain might include:

  • Problems with memory, due to the impact of substances on the hippocampus
  • Damaged connections in the brain, which affect how teens cope with stress
  • Inability to keep emotions in check or behave properly in social situations
  • Disruption of normal perceptual abilities
  • Learning of unhealthy habits can increase the risk for substance dependency
  • Missed learning opportunities during the crucial brain development period

The specifics and the extent of the damage to the teen brain will vary from individual to individual. In some cases, the teen may be able to overcome at least some of the damage. However, there is no guarantee that the individual will ever have the full function of all the areas of the brain that were impacted by substance abuse during the early years.

Getting Help for Your Teen
The teen brain is vulnerable to many influences during the critical developmental years. Substance abuse during this time can be particularly damaging, which is why teens need help to overcome abuse and dependency as soon as possible. To find out more or get the help you need today, contact Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers at 866-889-3665.

Originally posted on January 29, 2016 @ 3:14 pm

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