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What are the new drugs out there being used by teens in society? · Marijuana The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that marijuana is the illegal drug most often used in this country. Studies show nearly 50% of teens try marijuana before they graduate high school. Many parents of teens experimented with marijuana in their college days, and now feel like they're hypocritical if they talk to their kids about the use of marijuana. Today, marijuana use begins at a much younger age and some of the marijuana available can be much more potent. Kid's site their use of marijuana as a way for them to cope with life's problems, to deal with anxiety, anger or depression, a way to escape reality, or to simply ease boredom. Long term use studies of high school students substantiate the fact that use of the more dangerous drugs, is almost always preceded by the use of marijuana. Therefore, marijuana is often considered a gateway to more serious drugs.
Crystal meth, crank, speed, glass, ice... all methamphetamine related drugs more familiar to us as "speed" It goes by many names and has many forms from powder to crystallized and can be smoked, inhaled, eaten or injected intravenously. Users may be referred to as 'tweakers.' It's very available, cheap to buy, and produces an extended high making it extremely tempting to the young and foolish. Meth speeds up the Central Nervous System and metabolism initially being pleasurable, making one more alert and full of energy. This decreases the need for sleep and increases euphoria and sex drive. It is thus highly addictive, but ultimately drives the body and mind so fast it literally burns it up. Chronic users will experience weight loss, welts on the skin, shortness of breath, hyperactivity, severe depression, paranoid delusions and suicidal tendencies.
There are over 1000 common household and classroom products (including gel pens) that can be used as inhalant drugs. This form of abuse is termed 'Huffing.' This form of abuse is on the rise with our young people at alarming rates. These products are so common that you wouldn't likely be alarmed if your children were buying them. e.g. hairspray, whipped cream, or air freshener often contain butane or toluene propellants which harm the liver, kidneys, bone marrow and brain. 1 out of 5 kids have tried 'Huffing' prior to 7th grade. It is the 3rd most common form of drug abuse behind tobacco and alcohol. Huffing is one of the scariest habit because it so easily goes un-noticed and can lead to severe damage and even a condition called 'Sudden Sniffing Death.'
WARNING SIGNS:
What is the health risks associated with teen drug use?
Mental Health and Suicide Teen suicide is on the increase, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, and is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds. Mental health issues are a huge factor in this phenomenon, the CDC says, and suicide risk is even greater for teens with depression who abuse alcohol or drugs.
Addiction and Withdrawal Many teens find drug addiction so powerful and attempts to quit so intensely painful that they are never able to quit, according to the Nemours Foundation website Kids Health. This is the case for many popular drugs used by teens. Teens and adults, alike, who use amphetamines experience aggression, anxiety and intense cravings for the drugs. Cocaine and crack can create physical and psychological cravings so severe that stopping is extremely difficult. Even those who use what many consider less dangerous drugs such as Ecstasy or cough syrup can quickly become psychologically dependent upon them Decision Making Drugs greatly impair a person's ability to make wise decisions, according to Kids Health. Teens who drink and use drugs are more likely to drive drunk and recklessly, have unprotected sex, and put themselves in dangerous situations. Results from the 2009 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey report that many high school teens continue to engage in risky drug-related behaviors that lead to death. Just one month prior to the survey, nearly 30 percent of those interviewed rode in a car with someone under the influence, more than 40 percent had drunk alcohol and 20 percent had used marijuana. The four leading causes of death in persons ages 10 to 24 continue to be car crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide---all of which drug and alcohol commonly play a role. Teen drug abuse facts
There are many stages of drug abuse, ultimately leading to difficulty in managing one's life as a result of using drugs. Individuals who begin using drugs as juveniles are at greater risk of becoming addicted compared to those who begin drug use as an adult due to the immaturity of the teenage brain, particularly of that part of the brain that controls impulses. The symptoms of drug abuse include tolerance to a substance, withdrawal episodes, using more drugs for longer periods of time, and problems managing life issues due to the use of a drug. Substance abuse is caused by a number of individual, family, genetic, and social factors rather than by any one cause. Although a number of genes play a role in the development of substance abuse, this is a disease in which other factors more strongly influence its occurrence. Substance-abuse treatment is usually treated based on the stage of the addiction, ranging from management of risk factors and education to intensive residential treatment followed by long-term outpatient care and support. What drugs are abused by teenagers? Virtually every drug that is abused by adults is also abused by adolescents. In addition to alcohol, common categories of drugs of abuse include the following:
How do I approach my teen if I feel they might be using drugs or alcohol?
Make a plan Before you engage your teen in a conversation, you’ll need to prepare yourself. Go for a walk, sit where you can’t be disturbed, and think. Reflect on the facts of the situation. Try to avoid negative feelings of anger and betrayal—as they won’t be useful to you in this conversation and may result in your child tuning out. Organize your thoughts. Decide what you want to say to your teen. Think about what resources you might need: a counselor, your faith leader, a school counselor, etc. Keep a dated journal of your feelings, discussions, and progress so that you can begin to identify a pattern of behavior. Present the facts Set the tone wisely. Open the discussion with a statement of your love and concern for your teen. You could begin with a statement of the facts as you know them: you found drug paraphernalia in their room; your teen has violated curfews; their grades have slipped; your teen has changed from being a “good kid” to someone who is getting into trouble at home, or school, or in the community; or simply, you have noticed your teen has become quiet, secretive and has changed from the kid you used to know.
Listen After presenting the facts as you see them, ask your teen for his/her response to the information you’ve presented. Listen to your teen. Hear what he or she is saying. Try to determine if the problem is beyond your ability to help and therefore need to bring in a professional. Discuss The next step is to discuss the shared information. This may be the most difficult part, as the tendency for both you and your teen will be to respond angrily to each other. Don’t accept flimsy excuses. Be steady and consistent in your approach. Don’t get lulled into “looking the other way” because it’s easier. Know that you are doing the right thing. Set Rules Firmly and warmly make it very clear that you will not tolerate drug or alcohol use by your teen. Identify the consequences if they do use. Some parents find it hard to set down clear rules. For these parents, it might help if they commiserate with their teen. For example, “I know it’s difficult that I have to make these rules. But I wouldn’t be a good parent to you if I didn’t take care of your safety and make them.” Some parents find it hard to remember to be affectionate while making clear rules. This parent may want to begin by recalling with the teen a time in the past when the teen followed a rule with good results. For example, “Remember the rule we have about doing your homework before any other activity? And look how well that worked out because you did so well in school.” Set Clear Consequences Reward Good Behavior. Let your teen know that you will be holding him/her accountable for his/her actions—and that there will be consequences for not following the rules such as loss of privileges or restricting their curfew. Also consider offering incentives or rewards. “Catch them” doing something right. Road Blocks Don’t be surprised if your teen gets up and walks away in anger. Let everyone cool down and prepare to have the conversation again. Some ways your teen may try to deflect the conversation are by saying: “Why are you making this such a big deal. Everybody does it.” “That’s not my stash; I was just holding it for a friend.” ”I only used once; I don’t hang out with those kids anymore.” No matter what they say, calmly remind them, that nothing excuses your teen from using drugs or alcohol. Continue the Conversation Determine a time when you and your teen will have the next talk. Talking to your kids about drugs is a continuous process—not an event. Let your teen know that you will be having another “meeting” with him or her to check in. However, if you find that you’re having the same conversation over and over and your message isn’t being heard, you may want to seek assistance from a health professional or coach or even your church pastor or outside person that is unrelated to you.
Low income or sliding scale fee for addiction services for teens:
1824 N. Pearl St. Jacksonville FL 32206 (904)253-1050
(904) 387-4661
(904) 419-6102
(904)291-5561
If you suspect your child is using drugs don’t enable them by giving them money, trust or any outlet for them to use. Remember the need your support, this addiction is not your fault but if not caught and treated early enough it can become your problem.
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