Teens and the Dangers of Social Media

A recent study published by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reported that teens who regularly accessed social profiling networks such as Facebook and Myspace were twice as likely to succumb to recreational drugs, twice as likely to consume alcohol and to smoke marijuana, and five times likelier to use tobacco after having being exposed to it via pictures, comments and blogs on popular social networking websites.

Furthermore, the study revealed that 40% of the teenagers had seen images or read blogs on other teens getting drunk or using tobacco, and roughly 70% of them reported logging on to a social networking websites on a daily basis.

Joseph Califano, former U.S Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, also founder of Columbia University’s National center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), strongly believes that "The relationship of social networking site images of kids drunk, passed out, or using drugs and of suggestive teen programming to increased teen risk of substance abuse offers grotesque confirmation of the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words."

Califano also believes that it is time for website administrators and all others whom benefit from these websites take responsibility and “deploy their technological expertise to curb such images and to deny use of their sites to children and teens who post pictures of themselves and their friends drunk, passed out or using drugs".


We at Inspirations Teen Rehab understand the unique challenges of being a parent. If you have any questions, please know that we are here to provide you with support and guidance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions free of charge about teen drug rehab, teen substance abuse, adolescent addiction, teen intervention, teen behavior, teen depression or other related matters.

For more information on teen drug abuse, teen addiction treatment, and teen drug rehab programs visit Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka Inspirations Teen Rehab.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Protecting our Teens from Drug Abuse

At first glance, the question may be fairly easy to answer, especially if you have children, but the underlying truth of the matter is that in this day and age, more and more kids are becoming victims of drug abuse and they are not receiving the help they should be receiving.

In a study aimed at high school students, 60% were reportedly aware of drug use at their schools and 10% of children between 12 and 17 years of age are current substance abusers.

Parents can be the number one help in their children's lives when it comes to drug abuse, simply because they have the means to prevent it. Prevention is believed by experts to be far more effective than any other way to protect kids from drug abuse.

Some parents make numerous mistakes that allow their children to get caught in the web of drugs. Mistakes such as believing that experimenting with drugs is a normal rite of passage, allowing easy access to medication in households and simply not spending enough time with their children are all factors that children may take advantage of in order to pursue drugs and other illegal substances.

The message here is that most children when they are busy with events such as positive after school programs, church events, hobbies, sports, etc., they are less likely to turn to drugs and alcohol for recreation, and parents play a huge part in this process that could save lives.

For information on teen substance abuse, recent trends on teen drug abuse, teen drug and alcohol addiction problems and teen addiction treatment programs please visit Inspirations for Youth and Families websites:

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237

http://www.inspirationsyouth.com

http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237

http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Changing the Dangerous Binge-drinking Patterns in Iowa

Binge drinking, or the excessive use of alcohol, has been linked to many deaths, accidents and severe health problems such as alcohol poisoning and liver disease. Furthermore, within the past decade it has become the main focus of Drug and Alcohol Dependency Services, which is funded by state grants in order to hire trained individuals to monitor alcohol abuse patterns within troubled counties across the nation.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 75 % of the alcohol consumed by adults in the United States is in the form of binge drinks.

Scott Gooding was hired in Lee County, Iowa to help reduce adult and teen binge drinking. His three year position at Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services is funded by a State Prevention Enhancement Grant from Iowa’s Department of Public Health.

Gooding says he’ll be looking at” local ordinances, advertising and social availability of alcohol in the area” in order to change the dangerous binge-drinking patterns amongst the residents of Lee County, which rank 10^th place on the list of Iowa’s top 23 counties with alcohol-related issues.

For more information on teen binge drinking, alcoholism problems and treatment visit Inspirations Teen Rehab.

Addiction and Behavior Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237

http://www.inspirationsyouth.com

http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237

http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER (ODD) & Conduct Disorder - Diagnostic Features

Teen Behavior Problems are obvious when a teen demonstrates a pattern of negative, defiant and disobedient behavior, also known as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Teens will also demonstrate repeated and persistent refusal to adhere to rules and respect the rights of others, without concern or empathy, also known as Conduct Disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

The DSMIV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) identifies Oppositional Defiant Disorder as “a recurrent pattern of negative, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that persists for at least 6 months and is characterized by frequent occurrence of at least four of the following behaviors: losing temper, arguing with adults, defying or refusing to comply with the requests or rules of adults, deliberately doing things that will annoy other people, blaming others for his or her own mistakes or misbehavior, being sensitive or easily annoyed by others, being angry and resentful, or being spiteful or vindictive.

Negativistic and defiant behaviors are expressed by persistent stubbornness, resistance to directions, and unwillingness to compromise, give in, or negotiate with adults or peers. Defiance may also include deliberate or persistent testing of limits usually by ignoring orders, arguing, and failing to accept blame for misdeeds. Hostility can be directed at adults or peers and is shown by deliberately annoying others or by verbal aggression. ”

Conduct Disorder

The DSMIV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) identifies Conduct Disorder as “a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated. There are four main groupings of these behaviors: aggressive conduct that causes or threatens physical harm to other people or animals, non aggressive conduct that causes property loss or damage, deceitfulness or theft; and serious violations of rules.”

Children who are diagnosed with Conduct Disorder are typically aggressive, initiating aggressive behaviors or reacting aggressively. Physical fighting, bullying, threatening, or intimidating is demonstrated. “Physical violence may also take the form of rape, assault, or homicide.”

For more information on teen behavior problems and teen behavior treatment visit Inspirations for Youth and Families.

Addiction and Behavior Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Teen Behavior Problems Diagnosed

For most parents and professionals, it is comforting to have a point at which teen problematic behavior can be identified or diagnosed. For most people, this denotes the beginning of the search to find a solution and an understanding of the behavior. For insurance companies and subsequently, mental health professionals and medical doctors, a diagnosis is necessary to establish a basis for which insurance payment for treatment or therapeutic services can be granted. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder, are commonly diagnosed disorders for teenage behavioral problems. There are other disorders associated with behavioral issues such as Adjustment Disorders, Mood Disorders, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

*A diagnosis is not the only source or beginning point for which teens, parents, and professionals begin to work toward a solution. Therapeutic approaches such as Solution Focused Therapy, Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (to name a few), are also the first steps towards solutions and healing for everyone involved.

For more information on teen behavior problems and teen behavior treatment visit Inspirations for Youth and Families.

Addiction and Behavior Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Drugs and Alcohol is Part of Every Parent's Concern, Specially Around Prom Season

Considered a "memorable" event for teens, the prom and the graduation season shortly proceeding have statistically proven to be a risky time of the year for its vulnerable admirers; so many of which succumb to binge drinking, excessive parting and life threatening drug overdoses.

Often teens, notably high school seniors, believe themselves to be above the law and while engaging in risky behaviors such as underage drinking, driving under the influence and using illegal narcotics, jeopardize their lives and the lives of their peers while clearly demonstrating a lack of self control.

In the recent years there has been a growing amount of government and non government prevention groups educating both parents and teens about the consequences and risks involving drugs and alcohol behaviors. As new drugs, "legal" and illegal keeps threatening our teens, more needs to be done to educate both parents and teens. Our children need to be enlightened about the real understanding of not only what goes on in their minds and bodies while they are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but also been taught about the long term consequences that such behaviors cause.

If you are a concerned parent who needs to learn more about new drugs and trends related to teen drug abuse and addiction, visit our website. Inspirations Teen Rehab provides detailed information on recent drugs been abuse by teens as well as a description of our adolescent addiction treatment and programs and behavior treatment programs.

Reach out to us. Recovery from addiction is just a click or a phone call away.

Addiction Treatment for Teens:
1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults:
1-888-387-6237http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

The Challanges Teens Face When Going Back to School

Is it safe for our teens to return to school? It's becoming harder to keep our teens away from drugs during the middle and high schools years. Some of the interesting challenges teens face when returning to school is making choices about who to be friends with and facing peer pressure in an environment where drug use is only increasing. If you are a concerned parent wondering what you can do to intervene, there are some ways you can help your child. There are pamphlets, books, dvds, and drug education booklets available online as well as websites with plenty of information. Talking with your teen and making sure that they are aware of the effects and consequences associated with drug use and abuse can help them make informed decisions when approached by their peers. When they are educated on what drugs are, what they look like, and what they can do to a person, they are less likely to be conned into taking drugs. Independent studies show that teens and children who have received education from parents, books and pamphlets report a significant decrease in drug use or in the potential to use drugs.

For those parents that are already struggling with a teen who has experimented with drugs or who is addicted, there is help available. Rehabilitation/drug addiction treatment is proven to be successful in helping teens with drug abuse problems. The most important part is acting before the problem gets worse and selecting the right addiction treatment facility for your teen. Parents need to make the right choice for their children, especially when they see that their teens are making the wrong choices and turning to drugs. It is tough and intimidating to confront your teen about their drug problem, but the dangerous effects of drugs are far worse than those personal fears. Keep in touch with your teen.

Drugs in general are highly addictive and addiction is a medical condition. A user is trying to achieve the same high that they felt on their first use. However, a user can never get the same high. It only takes one use of a drug to become addicted. It only takes one use to overdose or die. Like all medical conditions, treatment is necessary.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse or addiction and is in need of help, Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab offers a flexible and affordable teen addiction treatment program. Our aim is to treat the whole person, and not just an isolated symptom. During the treatment process we will work with the teen to identify the factors that may have contributed to you drug abuse – home, friends and medical history. We also believe that families have a vital role to play in the recovery process, and each addiction treatment program has a place for family participation, to educate them in the treatment process and to equip them for their role as supporters.

Reach out to us. Recovery from addiction is just a click or a phone call away. If the information you are looking for is not found here and you need immediate attention you may contact us:

Teen Addiction Treatment Helpline: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com

Addiction Treatment for Young Adults and Adults : 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com