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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

There is a new wave of designer drugs available to teens today and Guess what? They are completely legal and only a click away. Powerful synthetic psychedelics derived from the same drug families as LSD,Mushrooms and Mescaline. These new drugs do not have common street names. They have Laboratory names like 2C-1, 5-Meo-DMT, etc. Unlike illicit street drugs like Ecstasy, Speed, LSD, GHB thee drugs are not made in bath tubs or street labs. These “research Chemicals” are made in legal labs right here in the United States and are legally available to Teenagers on the Internet, they are easily ordered with a credit card and usually delivered by Fed Ex. These drugs typically appear in a white powder form and can be ingested by eating, smoking, snorting and injecting. While the purity of these drugs is probably hire then their illicit counterparts the same potential for abuse will remain.

In the Classroom of a Drug Treatment Center

How do you motivate an adolescent in a teen drug treatment center who has been removed from their familiar environment, and now faces 45-90 days in an unfamiliar in the treatment setting?
The answer isn’t simple, as every adolescent struggling with substance abuse issues comes in with a different personality, needs, and academic strengths/weaknesses. There is one common denominator, however, which is: Once they see the purpose of school in the treatment setting and experience success, it all seems to make sense. Getting to this point takes hard work on the student’s part. They have to make a conscious decision to change their self-defeating habits. In order to make this transformation, they work with their therapist and counselor on their substance abuse, family and personal issues. Their teacher observes their behavior in the classroom, communicating any concerns with the clinical treatment team. Students are encouraged to make the most of their time in school and are rewarded with privileges and intrinsic rewards. Teens in residential treatment have responsibilities, goals are set, and they learn how to get organized. Layers of self-doubt begin to peel away. The cloudy haze of drug use dissolves into clarity. They realize that they can do things that they never thought possible. Where there was once only hopelessness despair and addiction, there is a future, with a high school diploma, college, a job, and finally, a career of their choice.

Did anybody Notice that yesterday’s Los Angeles Times Sports section had two out five articles on it’s front page with substance abuse and addiction as their subjects.
Andy Ried coach of the Philadelphia Eagles is struggling with two drug addicted sons. Famed tennis player Martina Hingis winner of five Grand Slam singles titles tested positive for cocaine at Wimbledon and is retiring as a result.
Ried’s sons have been arrested for possession of Oxycontin, Heroin, Cocaine and weapons charges. There is an extensive history of addiction for these two young men one of whom has been to drug treatment. Leaving the Eagles would probably do his sons no good as they are now adults, the best thing he could do is take a tough approach and cut his sons off financially and let them experience their own consequences.
Hingis has retired from Tennis in protest and claims to be “100% innocent” and plans to fight the allegations. She is a very accompished player and it is sad that she is retiring under such a dark cloud.

One size will not fit all. Starting November 1st, 2007 there is a women’s symposium in Rancho Mirage California. The symposium is directed by the Betty Ford Center and Caron Treatment Centers. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers are sponsoring this exceptional event as well.

Adolescent drug treatment differs from adult alcohol and drug treatment. Women’s alcohol and drug treatment differs from male addiction treatment. Leading treatment centers such as The Betty Ford Center and Caron Treatment Centers have taken the lead in addressing need specific addiction treatment.

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provides counseling, groups, and activities addressing gender specific issues, body image, eating disorders, relapse prevention, family issues, art therapy, equine therapy and will provide individualized services when clinically directed.

If you are interested in this symposium please follow the link at the bottom.

https://www.womenssymposium.org/