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Teen Rehab by the Beach

Teen rehab has come a long way in the last decade. Teens struggling with drugs and alcohol and their families now have many more options for treatment. As more and more teens are struggling with prescription drugs, like oxycontin, xanax, ambien, valium, ritalin, adderal, lortab, and percocet, treatment centers have stepped up to offer more comprehensive services specifically geared towards teens.
Adolescent drug abuse requires special treatment and should focus not only on teens and drug use, but on education (by offering a sober high school), group and individual therapy, art and equine therapy, family counseling sessions, and a solid aftercare program that includes outpatient. Understands that choosing a rehab for your teen is a difficult process within an even more difficult challenge for the family. Help your teen get their life back on track and to
get away from the pain of teen drug and alcohol abuse .

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Teen Tanning Related To Drug Use

Jersey Shore, look out! Reuters has reported that researchers have found a link between indoor tanning addiction and drug and alcohol abuse in young women and teens. Of a group that demonstrated signs of indoor tanning addiction, 42% reported to have frequently abused drugs other than marijuana and alcohol, while only 16% of non-tanners reported drug abuse.
This study may illustrate the correlation between obsession with appearances and other signs of low self esteem to teen drug abuse. Teens who look to things on the outside to fix how they feel on the inside are at a greater risk for drug and alcohol abuse. Teen drug and alcohol treatment treats the whole teen. Drug use is a symptom of deeper issues, and it often takes a comprehensive drug program to aid teens on their journey to recovery.

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high risk behaviors and facebook

Wondering if your teen is engaging in risky behavior? Research indicates you should check their Facebook or myspace profile. In the study, researchers found that 54% of teen profiles surveyed indicated high risk behavior, with 24% referencing sexual behavior. A strong association was found between behavior mentioned on social networking sites and behavior teens actually engaged in. The bottom line? If your teen’s profile suggests risky behaviors, there is a strong chance they are already engaged in those behaviors.
Signs of teen drug and alcohol abuse, depression, and other risky behaviors can be difficult for parents to honestly identify. Another recent study suggested parents identified their teen’s friends as engaging in risky behaviors, but not their own teen. Keeping the lines of communication open with your teen is important. Although no one wants their child to struggle with depression and substance abuse, solutions exist for those that are.

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The Choking Game

The Choking Game: Unveiling the Adolescent ‘Game’ of Self-Asphyxiation

Generations of adolescents have been participating in the “game” of self-asphyxiation. Often referred to as the “Good Kids Game” due to its drug-free nature, detection tends to be unlikely until it is too late. A 12-year-old recently died in Santa Monica after being on life support and spending two days in a coma.1 The growing concern is bolstered by the “new sexy name and its implication of a casual, flirtatious relationship with death.”2 The intrigue of doing something dangerous is seductive, particularly to teens, who are, by nature, risk-takers.

The choking game refers to the act of “Intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain with the goal of inducing euphoria,”3 which results in cerebral hypoxia (oxygen deprivation to the brain). According to G.A.S.P., a non-profit support site for victims of this activity and their parents, this game is played mostly by “boys and girls between 9-16 years old” who are generally “high achieving in academics, activities and sports, and don’t want to get risk getting caught with drugs or alcohol.”4 Additionally, the growing practice of using accoutrements such as ropes and belts has dramatically increased the the deadliness of the act.

Some kids may even start by holding their breath for long periods of time, just to see if they can make themselves “pass out.” What may first appear as a breath-holding contest, however, could be the beginning stages of participating in this deadly game. Rather than getting angry, use this discovery as an opportunity to talk to your child. Our fear can drive us to panic and propel us to come from a place of anger, but if we let our kids know that we are actually concerned for their well-being, maybe they will be more willing accept our efforts to to guide them toward safer means of social experimentation.

Some of the warning signs to look for include:

  • Any suspicious mark on the side of the neck, sometimes hidden by a turtleneck, scarf or permanently turned-up collar.
  • Changes in personality, such as overtly aggressive or agitated.
  • Any kind of strap, rope or belt lying around near the child for no clear reason—and attempts to elude questions about such objects.
  • Headaches (sometimes excruciatingly bad ones), loss of concentration, flushed face.
  • Bloodshot eyes or any other noticeable signs of eye stress.
  • A thud in the bedroom or against a wall—meaning a fall in cases of solitary practice.
  • Any questions about the effects, sensations or dangers of strangulation.

Common slang terms for this “game” include:
“The Choking Game,” “Funky Chicken,” “Space Monkey,” “”Blackout,” “ Fainting Game,” “Dream Game,” “Suffocation,” “Roulette,” “Passout,” “Flatliner,” “California High,” “Airplaning,” “American Dream,” “Tingling,” and “Gasp.”

 

References for this article:

  1. What the Hell is the Choking Game 
  2. What the Hell is the Choking Game 
  3. Fainting Game
  4. Choking
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Teens Who Watch “R” Rated Movies More Likely To Drink Alcohol

USA Today reports that teens in junior high who are allowed to watch R-rated movies are more likely to drink alcohol. Approximately 25% of those allowed to watch R-rated movies had consumed alcohol, while of those who could watch R-rated movies only sometimes, 18.8% had consumed alcohol. Of those who were never allowed to watch R-rated movies, only 2.9% had consumed alcohol. While this study excluded any consideration of other parenting methods, and the result does not necessarily illustrate a causal relationship, it is interesting.

Many recent studies have shown that family involvement and family oriented activities, such as eating dinner together frequently, can reduce a teen’s risk of drug and alcohol abuse. The influence of the media is frequently cited as contributing to the premature death of childhood, and perhaps R-rated movies, “tween” make-up marketing, and the bombardment of teens by other media sources really is contributing to increased alcohol consumption by teenagers. When I was a teen, I felt grown up, and what can grown ups do that teens can’t? Drink! Every week there are studies suggesting some thing or another is contributing to teen alcohol abuse. Perhaps rather than focusing on the causes, we should be focusing on treating the kids that have already crossed the line- kids who are severely at risk for injury and death. Teen drug and alcohol treatment doesn’t judge. It is there to help teens get their lives back in order. Whatever the causes, THERE IS A SOLUTION.

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Teen Prescription Drug Abuse

Hospitals across the country have reported a 65% increase in admissions for prescription drug overdoses in the last decade. It is now the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Teens are not left out of this unfortunate rise in numbers. Teen prescription drug abuse is surpassing marijuana abuse and the highly addictive, easily abused types of opiates and sedatives are exceedingly dangerous to teens.
This abuse may not be as easily detected by parents, as the telltale signs of marijuana abuse (red eyes, recognizable smell), cocaine (sniffling, racing speech, dilated pupils, straws, rolled up dollars) or heroin (track marks, foil, straws, burnt spoons or soda cans). Prescription drug abuse may be spotted through behavior, such as irritability, sleepiness, lack of appetite, or an increased demand for spending money. Tiny pupils often indicate opiate abuse, as does frequent nausea and other stomach problems.
Teen drug and alcohol treatment centers take prescription drug abuse very seriously. It is the largest growing threat to teens today, but fortunately, a solution is available. By addressing a teen’s whole self, the recovery process can begin. Through group and individual counseling, an isolated setting away from toxic environments and peer groups, and the love and support of clinicians and recovering peers, teens begin the process of changing. Recovery is possible, and it begins with asking for help. No family has to face teen drug and alcohol addiction alone.

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How To Identify a Good Adolescent Drug Treatment Program?

How to identify a good adolescent treatment program In California? These are a few key components to look for:

There should be a focus on the family treatment portion of the program. Research has shown that the most successful adolescent drug treatment programs involve the family in the therapy process by providing individual and group family programming on an ongoing basis. Residential treatment centers should allow for daily family updates and regular communication opportunities as well. Look for weekly like family therapy groups and parent education, which will keep the lines of communication open between you and the facility – and more importantly, you and your child.

Licensed medical professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists. If you believe your child has a co-occuring mental health disorder or has already been dually diagnosed, look for a program that provides these employees on a full time basis to address mental health diagnosis. Many programs use consultants who come in on a part time basis and do not get to know your child as they would if they were there full time. If an underlying condition does exist, it’s important that your child receives treatment for it.

12 step programing: The clients should be attending young people’s AA or NA meetings on a regular basis. The 12 steps are time-tested. In addition, the 12 step principles should be complemented by individual and group therapy and counseling.

The Program should have a continuum of care. Multiple program levels, the potential choose between short or long-term treatment, outpatient and residential. It should also be addressing each resident’s specific needs. Not only is this a good idea for practical reasons, it’s also a way to ensure that your teen will be treated as an individual – which is what every person in adolescent drug treatment deserves.

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Healing Children of Addicted Parents


Saturday, May 8th, 2010
Pam Newton and Elizabeth Devine from the Betty Ford 5 Star Kids Program Present:
Breaking the Silence: Breaking the Cycle
Hope and Healing for Children of Addicted Parents
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Business Auditorium
Pueblo at Bath Street
Santa Barbara, California 93105

Click Here to Register Now

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AA Meetings In Isreal

Hello Visions,

It’s been about two and a half weeks in Isreal and I have been thinking about you and wondering when I will find the time to write… today is Israel Independence Day and we have a day of rest…
So far things are going well for our daughter’s adolescent recovery and our family; we are still settling down, it will take some time to get organized and to feel at home.
Sarah is amazing, yesterday was her 60 days of sobriety, she is going to AA meeting everyday and this gives her a lot of support she also met a lovely young woman, her name is Hindi and she’s 30 Years Old. Hindi is in recovery and Sarah calls her everyday and together they are checking the possibility that she will be her sponsor.
We also saw the therapist you recommended once and Sarah liked her a lot, so we will continue seeing her.
Other than that, I hope that all is well with you, we really appreciate all the work that you have done with Sarah, and she often speaks about Visions and misses everyone there.
This is just a beginning of a journey for us, we have the usual ups and downs but in general we feel good that we are not in Ojai right now…
Please send our warm regards to the stuff and the residents of Visions Teen Treatment Center.

Wishing you all the best and a big hug,

Mom

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Integrating Modern Psychotherapy and 12 Step Recovery Programs

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, Betty Ford, Safe Harbor and Jaywalker Lodge Present:

Friday, May 14th, 2010
Dr. Allen Berger Presenting:
How to Successfully Utilize Individual, Group and Family Treatment
Mile High Church just outside of Denver
Community Center
9079 W. Alameda Avenue
Lakewood, Colorado 80226

Click Here to Register Now

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