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Living the Dream

As a teenager I never in my wildest dreams would I think I would able to have fun in sobriety and enjoy life. My definition of enjoying life was a two bottomless glasses of beer, just in case one ran out. Alcohol let me escape to being comfortable with who I was. My dream of growing up and being successful was exactly that, just a dream. There came a point were I could not enjoy my drinking if had set a limit on it. Also I could only enjoy my alcohol when I there was no control. The funny thing is when I have no control I often found myself in situations that, through my actions, set me up for complete disaster. So when I got sober, my perception of what felt good was contorted. I really had no clue about enjoying anything except through my selfish motives.

The beginning of enjoying life sober was my experience bowling. I was newly sober and my new friends invited me to go bowling. As a teen in recovery I had already made up my mind it was not going to be fun do to the fact that I would not be drunk. My head told me “Obviously everyone drinks when they bowl, why do you think they invented beer frames?” Yet little do I know that hanging out with 10 sober people bowling, talking trash, and hearty laughs was the beginning of the change of my perception of enjoying life. Soon I was able to find fun to going to movies, amusement parks, weddings, and even playing video games sober. I began to realize that I had more opportunities to express myself sober than being a slave to my addiction to alcohol. There is something stress free about not having to keep up with my lies, who was out there to get me, and who I had hurt. All because I was sober. Alcohol with no control gave me only as much fun until there was no more left. Sobriety has shown me that there is no glass ceiling to the opportunities that life offers. The freedom today, because I am sober, has given me the opportunity to be “living the dream”

Alberto P.

Nancy Reagan. My involvement with Visions and my work with teens in their efforts in recovery can all be traced, I believe, to Nancy Reagan.

I was only two years old when the first lady of our nation began championing the “Just Say No” generation into action. There were endless public service announcements and nationwide elementary school campaigns in effort to stop the next wave of drug users from making the same mistakes our parents did. sThere we were, smack dab in the middle of the decade of self-indulgence, signing sobriety pacts years before we would start wearing deodorant.

The first lady’s anti-drug movement was about as effective as all the other trickle-down syndrome policies of the Reagan administration. Fast-forward ten years and those same children were doing the same drugs we were warned about. The ‘Just Say No’ moniker, as much a part of Saturday morning as cartoons and
fruit loops, gave the impression that the disease of alcoholism and addiction was a question of will. We were made to believe that fighting this progressive and fatal affliction was so simple. “Would you like onions on your burger?” No thanks. “Would you like to trade self worth and the innocence of childhood for jails, institutions, or death?” No thanks. As we now know, there is a lot
more to it than that.

For most people, these questions are that simple, but for people like me and the brilliant young people I have the gift to work with; it takes a complete psychic change as brought forth from working the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is why I do what I do. It is my wish to dispel the myth of willpower as a solution to our disease, and usher a new era of tolerance and understanding in
the fight that Nancy lost.

The teen sports world is not known for its teen drug abuse as it’s high prevalence of Anabolic Steroid abuse. A report given by The National Institute of Drug Abuse says that about 1 in 20 high school athletes used steroids in 2001. Steroids are substances used to increase the amount of testosterone in the body, in turn enhancing
performance. Steroids increase protein synthesis and enhance anabolism, in the body. Steroids also stimulate bone growth, increase bone marrow and red blood cells. Anabolism results in the buildup of the body’s cellular tissues.

Steroid use is associated with numerous negative side-effects. These side effects are liver disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stunted bone growth, kidney disease, aggression, impulsively, sterility, death, enlargement of female genitalia, deepening of voice, testicular shrinking, high blood pressure, increased libido and male breast growth. Also, steroids can cause the muscles to grow at a faster rate than the tendons can strengthen. The athlete can then lift more weight than their tendons or cartilage can support, causing damage to one or both. Depression is a common side effect of steroid abuse. In a study done in 2005, 20 percent of steroid abusers questioned suicide and 3 percent actually attempted it.

Most teen steroid abusers today, are known to be educated of all these negative
side effects. In another study, teen steroids abusers were asked why they still
use steroids even though they come with heavy consequences. The most common
responses were, “I have never personally encountered any negative side-effects
and believe the education is a scare tactic.” Scare tactic or not, the
consequences are real and denial will not prevent there occurrence. Despite
there illegality and dangers, steroids are a dark reality of today’s teen
athletes. Teen drug treatment centers have been seeing more anabolic steroid use in teens today.

Why is fun an important part of sobriety? Because it reminds us of an important truth, that Alcoholics/Addicts do not have to depend and rely on substances to feel good about themselves, their fellows and life. To enforce this truth, Visions puts aside days of sober fun. The fun begins in just gathering together in anticipation of the night out built up to be greatly relieved. Through out the time everyone has his/her own highlights and favorite moments but what consistently brightenes everyone’s spirits is the feeling of happiness and the comfort of a fellowship of friends sharing an experience together.

Alcoholic Energy Drinks
Your average beer contains three to five percent alcohol. Selling alcohol to a teen is illegal. Stores and their clerks are well aware of this. However, the fact that some energy drinks such as Rockstar 21, Tilt, Joose and Liquid Core can contain levels of alcohol is not well-known. Alcoholic energy drinks can contain up to six to seven percent alcohol. Many establishments that carry both alcoholic and non-alcoholic energy drinks are not aware of this. The companies who make alcoholic energy drinks have made the packaging so similar to regular energy drinks that even the person buying them might not even know. Often times these drinks are mistakenly sold to teens. The bright colors on the cans can be appealing to a younger crowd and the manufacturers do that on purpose.
Energy drinks generally contain an amount of caffeine that is equivalent to four cups of coffee. When alcohol is added to the picture, the combination can be lethal. Combining a stimulant and a depressant is not a good idea. It is said that teens like it because the “up” effect of the caffeine counteracts the sluggish effect produced by alcohol. Also, both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics and the mixture of the two together can cause a bad hangover, and in severe cases, deadly dehydration.
If you take a look at the websites for some energy drinks it is very apparent that they are targeting teens and young adults. In fact, even the teenagers who purchase these energy drinks might not know the difference between the alcoholic and the non-alcoholic ones.

Expulsion Over Myspace Photos
Anthony Allen, 17 years old, is one of five kids banned from Belleville High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 3rd 2007. The five students posted pictures on Myspace, a popular internet networking site, of guns, drugs, piles of cash and possible gang signs. Anthony is challenging his expulsion and four of the five teenagers sued the school district asking for reinstatement. The students claim that there were no written records of the hearings.
The second hearing was open to the public and over one hundred people showed up. The crowd also included high school teachers. The room was filled and overflowed into the lobby and surrounding offices. Anthony Allen was expelled for possessing illegal drugs, or look-alikes, in connection with a school activity and engaging in gang activity. The weapon charges were dropped due the fact that the picture of Anthony holding the gun was taken in a private residence.
School authorities are concerned that these teenagers could be connected with a gang called M.M.B. On October 13th a limousine driver who picked them up from their high school Homecoming claimed that three cars followed them to a restaurant. Older boys who appeared to be members of this gang surrounded the limo in a threatening manner. The driver told the boys to get back into the car and proceeded to take them to a different restaurant. But the same cars continued to follow them.
The school voted to uphold Anthony’s expulsion after an approximately six hour hearing. One teacher said that there is a zero tolerance policy for gang related behavior. Although Anthony’s mother does not agree with this decision to expel him, she stated that he will be attending college in the fall.

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.