Teen behaviors are clues to parents that they are engaging in alcohol abuse or drug abuse.  They just need to know what to look for.  Gambling, for example, is a possible sign that a youth has a future with alcohol and drug use.  We can use this example to explain a common factor among those with alcohol dependence and drug addiction.

Humans have a natural defense that keeps them from engaging in behaviors that will cause loss, pain, or destruction to themselves.  With gambling, individuals will typically quit when they win or lose a little.  But a small percentage will experience a thrill from gambling that will keep them playing whether they are winning or “losing the farm”.

The thrill associated with gambling is closely associated with the desire to escape feelings with drugs or alcohol.  It isn’t just a distraction from feelings.  Brain chemicals are released that mimic the effect of alcohol and drugs for an addict.  So adolescents who have the fever for gambling are basically no different from those abusing alcohol or drugs.  They just use behavior rather than a substance.

Gambling, internet use, video games, shopping, and sex are only a few of the behaviors that alcoholics and addicts in recovery use in a cross-addictive manner.  So if parents know that teens are gambling, it is a good idea to discuss adolescent alcohol abuse or drug abuse with them.  With teen prescription drug abuse on a fast rising trend, it is better to be safe than to dismiss the behavior as a “phase”.

The excerpt below from Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly offers a brief view of how teen gambling could be a sign of other problems.  A link to the journal’s website follows.  Parents need to be aware of all signs of teen alcohol or drug abuse if we want to reverse trends.

-- Begin external content --

Risky or problem gambling among young adolescent boys is associated with general deviance at this age, according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health. According to John Welte, Ph.D., and colleagues, youth without symptoms of conduct disorder have a five percent rate of risky or problem gambling, compared with a rate of 23 percent among youth with conduct disorders.

However, while this association is very strong among 14- to-15 year-olds, it does not exist among 20-to-21 year-olds. The authors conclude that risky gambling that emerges in young adulthood has different origins.

-- Source: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/110575473/home --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare in alcohol and drug treatment.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence or drug addiction, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

Parents need to be vigilant when it comes to adolescent alcohol abuse.  Teens can obtain alcohol in many ways, and most parents do their best to prevent this from happening.  But the disturbing fact is that youths get alcohol either at parties or from adults about half the time.

Parents should understand that teens abuse alcohol usually in response to peer pressure.  If alcohol is available at a party, even the most “straight-arrow” adolescent may drink a little.  While this may seem tame to many individuals these days, just a little drink could be the start of a downward spiral.  That little drink will most likely go undetected, promoting future use due to the lack of consequences.

So how does alcohol get to the parties? Studies indicate that the use of fake identification and less-than-honest liquor store employees are not the only problem.  Adult relatives and friends are actually buying alcohol for adolescent parties where they know abuse will take place.  Considering all we know about alcohol’s effect on the body and adolescent brain development, it begs the question, “Why?”

One answer is the same as why teens drink; Peer pressure.  These adults want to be friends with adolescents, and some even prey on them sexually.  Many of these adults are friends of the family or extended family who are trusted by parents.  And, worst of all, some of them are the parents.

Yes, it is scary and disturbing.  But parents may need this type of shock to understand the magnitude of the youth alcohol abuse problem.  Since 1996 the data on how teens obtain alcohol has not changed.  The problem will not just go away.  Hopefully, information like this and our other articles on adolescent alcohol abuse will have an effect.

Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly briefly reported on this subject, as shown below.  This publication can help parents and others to understand the problems of alcohol dependence and drug addiction.

-- Begin external content --

California teens obtain alcohol through house parties, adults

Although the state has made progress in curtailing the purchase of alcohol by minors, adolescents continue to obtain liquor at house parties or with the help of adults, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported October 11. Since 1996, the Target Responsibility For Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) unit of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has investigated 23 serious incidents involving intoxicated teens in the county of San Diego.

Roughly half have involved alcohol consumed at house parties. This month a Rancho Santa Fe teen was killed in a car accident after he and his friends drank at a local party.

-- Source: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/110575473/home --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides teen alcohol and drug treatment with education as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare.  If you or a loved one needs help with adolescent alcohol or drug abuse, please call us now at 800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.

By Jocelyn Shorts, MPH, CHES, Health Educator I/ Youth Services

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug used by teens today.  More than 83 million Americans (37%) age 12 and older have tried marijuana at least once.  The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) has shown that since 1992, the rate of past month marijuana use among youth has more than doubled, going from 3.4 percent in 1991 to 7.1 percent in 1996.  In 2001, reports showed that 20 percent of 8th-graders had tried marijuana at least once, and by 10th grade, 20 percent were “current users” or had used within the past month.  Among 12th-graders, nearly 50 percent had tried marijuana at least once, and about 22 percent were current users (National Clearninghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information [NCADI], 2003).

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.  Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same plant and all forms are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs.  They all contain THC (dela-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana.  The strength of the drug is determined by the amount of THC in the sample.

What Are The Health Effects Of Using Marijuana?

There are much stronger forms of marijuana available today than in the 1960s which lead to stronger effects.  Marijuana increases dopamine, and once that happens, a user may feel the urge to smoke again and again.  Repeated use could lead to drug addiction (a disease where people continue to do something, even when there are severe negative consequences involved).  In 2006, the majority of youth (age 17 or younger) entering alcohol and drug abuse treatment reported marijuana as their primary drug abused

Research has shown both immediate harmful effects and long-term damage to health over time.  Short-term effects include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, and touch), trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor coordination and increased heart rate. Long-term effects could include cancer, breathing problems, coughing and wheezing, immune deficiency and reduced mental functions.  (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 2008).

Why Do Youth Use Marijuana?

There are many reasons why some adolescents use marijuana.  Most adolescents use marijuana as a “recreational drug” and roll loose marijuana into a cigarette called a joint or a nail.  Another method is to slice open a cigar and replace the tobacco with marijuana, making it into a blunt.  Lately, marijuana cigarettes or blunts often include crack cocaine or PCP (Phencyclidine).    

Many youth start smoking marijuana because they see their family members and friends using it while others may start because of curiosity, peer pressure, lack of supervision, and/or trying to “fit in” to a certain social group.  Some teens may think smoking marijuana is “cool” because they see it on television and in movies.

Marijuana use can affect many aspects of the youth’s life including school, sports, work and other activities.  Marijuana use has also been linked to the use of other illicit drugs.  Long-term studies of high school students show that few young people use other illegal drugs without first trying marijuana.  

What Are Possible Signs of Marijuana Use?

Some possible signs to look for in a teen suspected of using marijuana are:

• Dilated (large) pupils
• Smell on clothing, in room, or in car
• Fatigue
• Bloodshot eyes
• Reduced motivation
• Dizziness and trouble walking
• Short-term memory problems
• Cigarette rolling papers, bongs, homemade smoking devices

Source: Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base (2007); http://www.adolescent-substance-abuse.com/signs-marijuana.html

What if My Teen Is Using Marijuana?

Marijuana is a powerful drug which can lead to an addiction that requires intervention and treatment.  Although not every teen that smokes marijuana will become addicted, many heavy users will show patterns of marijuana dependence such as withdrawal symptoms when they do not use the drug, increase tolerance, decrease in social life, performing poorly in school, and physical or psychological problems.  There are many adolescents who need help with their drug use even though they deny marijuana dependence.  

Currently, no medications exist for treating marijuana addiction.  Treatment programs focus on behavioral therapies and a number of programs are designed specifically to help teens who are abusers.



Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides comprehensive education on alcohol and drugs to adolescents, adults and families in adolescent drug treatment and in the community at large with emphasis on understanding the addictive process, utilizing new found strategies, improving functioning and facilitating sobriety.

If you or your teen need alcohol and drug treatment, please call us at800-996-1051 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.



The likelihood of marijuana use by teens is significantly lower when parents learn the facts and risks about drugs, have frequent conversations with their teen about them, and are actively involved in their teen’s life.  Remember to discuss with teens what is happening in their world and the importance of making the right choices.  The most successful conversations should focus on information that is most important to the teen.  


References

Blackburn, Claudia (2009). Marijuana in Today’s Youth. Retrieved August 18, 2009 from http://www.caron.org/marijuana-in-today-s-youth/

Greenblatt, J.C. (2002). Adolescent Self-Reported Behaviors and Their Assocation with Marijuana Use. Retrieved on August 14, 2009 from http://www.tgorski.com/Adolescents/adolescent_marijuana_problems_SAMHSA.htm

Marijuana Addiction (2008). National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], Retrieved on August 17, 2009 from http://www.drug-rehab.com/marijuana-addiction.htm

Marijuana: Facts Parents Need To Know (2003). National Clearninghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information [NCADI]. Retrieved August 17, 2009 from
http://www.athealth.com/consumer/disorders/marijuana.html

With summer here, parents need to be extra vigilant when it comes to their teens staying safe on the roads.  Adolescent alcohol abuse and drug abuse results in driving under the influence more often than parents may realize.  In the past 2 weeks, according to surveys, about 1 in 3 teens have either driven under the influence or been in a vehicle where the driver was impaired.

Parents can’t keep an eye on adolescents every minute of the day.  So the most effective thing they can do is get educated the best they can, and teach their children to be wise.  It seems too simple, but a seed may be planted that could grow to save a life.  Although teens typically seek independence, what they hear at home may have an impact and sway them away from being in a DUI situation.

Because there is more free time and less supervision, teen alcohol abuse rises in the summertime along with experimentation with drug abuse.  At the first sign of trouble, parents should begin looking into teen alcohol and drug treatment.  This is because, in most cases, when parents become aware that alcohol or drugs are being abused by their children it is not the first time it has occurred.

Tarzana Treatment Centers provides youth alcohol and drug treatment.  We have adolescent treatment tracks to fit each patient since teen alcohol and drug use varies from occasional binging to daily use.  We offer staff-administered drug testing, and medical detoxification is available for severe cases of alcohol, heroin, and prescription drug dependence.

The paragraph below is from an article on the National Institute on Drug Abuse website.  It focuses on teen DUI trends as they were reported by Monitoring the Future.  Parents who want more information may follow the Source link and read the full article.

-- Begin external content --

Researchers looked at data from six annual Monitoring the Future surveys—2001 to 2006—each of which asked approximately 2,500 high school seniors whether they had, in the 2 weeks prior to the survey, driven after drinking alcohol or using an illicit drug or ridden with a driver who had. Although the prevalence of alcohol- or drug-impaired driving and riding has declined over the 6 years, from 35 percent in 2001 to 30 percent in 2006, the problem remains serious and widespread, the study authors say.

-- Source: http://drugabuse.gov/NIDA_notes/NNvol22N3/tearoff.html --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles makes a daily effort to find treatment news articles that we can share with our readers in the alcohol and drug treatment community.  The external content was found among other articles of equal informational and educational quality.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County and Orange County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley, and in Santa Ana.

Recovering alcoholics and drug addicts who are parents may find it difficult to urge abstinence upon their teen children.  Does tough love and hard war stories work, or is the correct approach to deny, deny, deny?

The goals for these parents should be prevention and guidance.  Youths need to first know the damage, in real terms, which alcoholism and drug addiction causes.  Second, they need to be educated about the problems associated with teen alcohol and drug abuse, and that they can ask for help if they need it.

The answer to the above question is that the parents should be honest about their experiences, to a degree.  The beginning and end of any conversation regarding alcohol or drugs should be about consequences that were suffered.  Since all children of alcoholics and addicts are at risk of having the disease, they must be made well aware of the dangers that alcohol and drugs can bring to their lives.

Not talking about alcohol and drugs as part of the good times can actually be a mistake.  Adolescents have radars that can detect parental hypocrisy from miles away.  And it is very likely that they have heard from others that getting drunk or high is fun.  Draw a connection from the fun to the immediate and future consequences, and help them to understand reality.

The guidelines below are from a detailed brochure at Stopalcoholabuse.gov.  Any parent seeking further guidance is urged to read the brochure.  A few moments of reading now can reduce the chances that adolescent alcohol or drug treatment will be needed in the future.  It might even save a life.

-- Begin external content --

IF YOU DRANK UNDERAGE
Parents need to think carefully about how to answer their children’s questions about their own alcohol use as teens.

• If a parent was an underage drinker, be honest.
• Don’t let your past stop you from conversing with your child about underage alcohol use. The value of face-to-face discussions with your child cannot be overestimated.  
• Acknowledge that it was risky. Make a distinction between adolescent use and adult use and emphasize that we know even more now about the risks than ever before.
• Explain how and why your opinions of underage drinking have changed.

IF SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY DRINKS TOO MUCH OR IS IN RECOVERY
If your family has a history of alcoholism, your children need to know that they are at a greater risk for problem drinking.

• Discuss what drinking responsibly means, and that some people are unable to drink alcohol at all without drinking to excess.
• Explain that alcoholism is a progressive disease that is a combination of physical addiction and mental obsession with drinking.
• Communicate the importance of abstaining from alcohol. Tell your children that they need to delay drinking for as long as possible and recommend that they not drink at all. Explain that the older they are before they take a drink, the lower the chances that they will have problems with alcohol.
• Let your children know that drinking under the legal age of 21 is a major risk for people with a family history of alcohol.
• Inform them that there are successful treatment options for people who drink and develop problems with alcohol, and that you support family members who are in recovery.

-- Source: http://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/media/Underage_Brochure_508final.pdf --

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles makes a daily effort to find treatment news articles that we can share with our readers in the alcohol and drug treatment community.  The external content was found among other articles of equal informational and educational quality.