Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 15, 2015 under Addiction Trends | 
As parents become more educated on drugs and the potential for their children to start abusing different substances, teenagers have gotten craftier when it comes to hiding drugs and paraphernalia. In a recent interview, drug counselors show different methods teenagers have for hiding their stash. This information can be useful when it comes to monitoring potential drug use at home. Parents, educators and healthcare providers who continue to share information with each other will allow for better monitoring when it comes to drug use.
Hiding drugs is not an uncommon thing for anyone to do, especially teenagers. However, what is uncommon, up until now, is that children are able to share their hiding innovations through social media. This quick way to access information is precisely what parents need to watch out for when it comes to making sure their children are not abusing drugs. In addition to keeping tabs on where drugs might be hidden, social media accounts can also be checked.
In an effort to get the word out there, a news report was done to expose the potential hiding places teenagers may use to conceal their drugs. “It looks like lipstick, but it’s actually a one-hit pipe. It looks like a highlighter, but if you open this part of it, it’s a pipe. Look at some of these cans that are false bottom or can open up, same with these dog food cans,” explained a drug counselor during an interview.
The report also went on to say that many parents are unaware of what some drugs even look like. Experts are warning parents that ecstasy often gets mistaken for candy. While this information can seem overwhelming, an effective way to determine if children are under the influence is usually by noticing any changes in behavior or appearance. Teenagers that are abusing or even experimenting with drugs may withdraw from family and friends. They may start hanging out with a different group of people. Drug use often changes a person’s appetite. Sudden weight loss or weight gain can also be a sign that drugs are in the picture.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on July 6, 2015 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News, Prescription Drugs |
In the past, one tactic used in order to keep teenagers from experimenting with drugs was to pretend that the problem did not exist. This means that many parents and schools, in their fear about drug use, never discussed the inevitable curiosity that teenagers would experience and the definite dangers of substances like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription painkillers.
It soon became clear that this approach to drug education was not a good one. More and more teenagers find themselves in situations where they are presented with an opportunity to experiment with drugs or alcohol. Instead of hoping that one’s child will not succumb to peer pressure or curiosity, experts agree that it is best to arm children with facts about drugs and alcohol and help guide them into making the right decision. Children presented with facts have a better chance of not being tempted into drug use, and oftentimes those facts can counter the things their friends or other drug users may be saying to them.
Some helpful facts to discuss with children can include things like when an addiction is likely to start, what drugs do to the body and developing brain, how drug and alcohol abuse can affect one’s long term plans and what sort of danger the drugs pose.
According to a recent study, 90% of adults that are addicted to illegal drugs started using substances before they were 18. So, while not all teenagers who experiment with drugs are doomed to a life of addiction, the vast majority of addicts began their journey to drug addiction as a child experimenting with drugs. There is still debate surrounding marijuana if it should be considered a gateway drug (a gateway drug is a substance that opens the door to other substances can ultimately lead to an addiction). Some experts are saying that prescription painkillers are the new gateway drugs.
The popularity of pills like Roxycet, Percocet and Vicodin has led many people to dependency, and then on to a heroin addiction. Since heroin is cheaper and easier to obtain, prescription painkiller addicts often resort to this drug to keep their habit satisfied.
Teenagers are surrounded by pressures almost as soon as they get into high school. Drugs and alcohol may be one of the most common problems they have to deal with. In order to equip children with the best tools to stay away from drugs, parents and educators need to arm them with the facts. Overall, the more information that is shared about the devastation caused by substance abuse, the better the chances are that people of all ages will make healthier decisions regarding drugs and alcohol.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on March 24, 2015 under Synthetic Drugs |
Man-made drugs that mimic popular street drugs have become more popular among children and teenagers in Arizona and throughout the country. Manufacturers are producing drugs that create similar effects as many illicit drugs. One of the most popular types of synthetic drugs is synthetic marijuana, which is often called Spice or K2. Synthetic marijuana has been available gas stations and has been sold as other types of products. Manufacturers package and market the drug as potpourri, although it is understood that the intention is to smoke the dried leaves.
Once in the system, the synthetic marijuana quickly goes to work making the person feel high and lethargic, much like marijuana does. But this is where the similarities often stop. Synthetic marijuana has some dangerous side effects. Users of the drug, children and teenagers being the overwhelming majority, have reported feelings of intense paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations, cravings and depression.
Recently, researchers set out to investigate the risk factors associated with synthetic marijuana usage. Researchers determined that young, white males were the main demographic who abused synthetic marijuana. Further study showed that teenagers that abused synthetic marijuana were more likely to abuse other drugs down the road. Despite the perception that synthetic marijuana is a safer alternative, most children were using the “potpourri” as a stepping stone to other illicit drugs down the road. The study indicated that teenagers that were abusing synthetic marijuana were twice as likely to suffer from alcohol problems in the future as well.
The main concept here is that regardless of the substance, if a young person is willing to ingest something looking to create some type of altered state, then that same intention translates to other drugs. In that sense, any first type of substance abuse ultimately becomes the “gateway drug.” Helping to eliminate that desire through other meaningful interaction is a great step in the direction of drug prevention.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 28, 2014 under Addiction Trends |
Despite the belief of some people that marijuana is harmless and that more states should legalize the drug, studies are showing that marijuana really does have many negative effects. One major discovery of marijuana abuse among teenagers is the large number of teens who drop out of high school.
A recent study shows that teenagers who smoke marijuana on regular basis are 60% less likely to finish high school. Additionally, young people who abuse marijuana regularly are 60% less likely to finish college. The suicide rate for youths who abuse marijuana is higher as well, as teens who smoke weed are reportedly seven times more likely to attempt suicide than those who do not abuse marijuana. Also, despite some assertion that marijuana is not a gateway drug, this study shows that regular users of marijuana are eight times more likely to use other, harder drugs.
The research looks into three multi-year studies that were conducted on teenagers in New Zealand and Australia. Researchers used the data because it provided them a large pool of people and therefore made the results more accurate. They were confident with stating the negative correlation between marijuana use and all negative outcomes of a teenager’s life because of the overwhelming information gathered from the studies.
These studies, among others that have been conducted, are proving to many people in government that protecting children from marijuana is vital, especially now that many states are entertaining the legalization of the drug. Studies like this show that although some people may think that marijuana is safe, no one really knows how it affects growing, developing brains and the decisions that children make. Currently there are several studies in the works to investigate teen marijuana abuse, addiction and the effects of marijuana on teen’s bodies and lives.
