New Trend: Vodka-Soaked Gummy Bears

Consuming “vodka gummy bears” is now considered a dangerous new trend among teens whose parents would never assume an innocent bag of gummy bears lying in the fridge contained alcohol.

Vodka-soaked gummy bears, a do-it-yourself alcoholic candy, are becoming a national trend and Inspirations Teen Rehab wants parents and teachers to be on the lookout because most of us wouldn’t suspect a child with gummy candy is trying to get drunk.

While fads come and go, this one might stick around a little longer, as several videos on YouTube have been found given step by step instructions on how to prepare the vodka gummy bears to disguise alcohol consumption. Incidents have already been reported in New York and Nebraska of children soaking the candy in vodka or gin and then bringing the bloated bears to school.

“Impact”, a local group coaching Milwaukee teens on drug and alcohol prevention, has been reaching out to teens by providing them with young peer counselors they can relate to, which in this case, is an individual from the same generation who faces the same social challenges and peer pressure the teen faces while attending school. Kaela Wojtycski, a peer counselor wants her fellow teens to know that alcohol is not the long term solution to their problems. Wojtycski has said “trying to keep your grades up, balancing between friends and school work just gets to you sometimes. But you know, doing things like drinking, smoking, are just going to add on to your problems."

The counselors have been able to successfully indentify dangerous fads among teens and work with other counselors in the program in order to discourage drug and alcohol use and promote public awareness on dangerous trends such as “vodka gummy bears”, which can go undetected unless exposed on a larger scale.

If you have any questions, please know that Inspirations Teen Rehab is 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 alcohol abuse, teen behavior, substance use, adolescent addiction, teen drug rehab, or other related matters.

Contact us at: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Lowering the drinking age - Is this a age a good idea?

The answer to whether the legal age for alcohol consumption should be lowered to 18 from the current legal age 21 remains unresolved while experts, families and educators struggle to put an end to alcohol-related incidents amongst the nation's teens.

Those in favor of lowering the legal drinking age argue that the current legal age for consuming alcohol, 21, has clearly not been able to sway underage teens towards abstaining from alcohol. Furthermore, in 2008 more than 130 college chancellors and presidents signed a petition which supported the age reduction. They believe that proper funding in the education sector will educate teens on the dangers of alcohol abuse while allowing them to experience alcohol and enjoy it responsibly, as oppose to consuming it illegally in discrete locations where so much can go wrong.

But while the idea of lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, and attempting to deglamorize alcohol in order to reduce alcohol abuse amongst teens seems appealing, many experts and families believe that it would be a step in the wrong direction considering the effectiveness of the law legislated in 1984 which raised the drinking age from 18 to 21 and lowered alcohol consumption amongst young teens. Furthermore, research has shown that delaying the onset of alcohol use reduces the chances of becoming addicted in the future.

For more information on teen alcohol abuse, teen alcoholism treatment, and teen alcohol 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

Facts About Alcohol Abuse in Nebraska

Alcohol is an addictive substance. Alcohol is a depressant, addictive drug. It is a controlled substance for a great number of Nebraska citizens (namely all of those citizens under the age of 21).

Alcohol causes illness and death.
Each year, alcohol kills over 120,000 Americans. At least 25% of all hospital visits are related to the use of alcohol.

Alcohol is the number one preventable cause of death among young people.
Alcohol use is related to over one-half of all car crashes, suicides, drownings, falls, homicides, traumas and other causes of death among America’s -- and Nebraska’s --adolescents. Over 90% of college hazing deaths are alcohol-related. One August 1996 studying Douglas and Sarpy County found that news accounts listed that 37 people had died in these two counties under circumstances directly related to underage alcohol consumption since January 1, 1990.

Alcohol use is related to one-half of all problems plaguing teenagers in America.
Alcohol use is related to at least one-half of all crime, violence, rapes, sexual activity, poor school performance, assaults, accidents and other problems among underage populations in America – and Nebraska.

Almost all first users of alcohol are under the age of 21.
Adults rarely initiate alcohol use. 90% of all high school seniors have tried alcohol, usually without the permission of their parents or guardians. 80% of these seniors are regular alcohol users, namely, they have used alcohol within the past month. Nebraska adolescents usually use alcohol at rates higher than the national average.

At least 8 million American teenagers drink alcohol every week.
Teens from across the United States, including Nebraska, report that it is easy to obtain alcohol. Seven million American teens report that they are able to walk into a store and purchase alcohol. Jr. and Sr. high school students in the U.S. drink 1.1 billion cans of beer each year.

Nebraska’s young people use alcohol at a higher rate than the national average.
Nebraska adolescents have consistently used alcohol and reported binge drinking (at least 5 drinks in a row at one sitting) at a much higher rate than the national average.

Alcohol is a gateway drug.
Like tobacco and marijuana, alcohol is a gateway drug. It’s use is a strong predictor of future drug use and problem alcohol use. The average age of first use of alcohol in Nebraska is 12 years of age.

If you know or suspect your teen is abusing or addicted to to alcohol or any other substance, get help before it is too late. We at Inspirations Teen Rehab understand the unique challenges of being a parent. If you have any questions regarding teen alcoholism, drug use and abuse, 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.

Reach out to us:

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

Schools Using Breathalyzers to Fight Teen Drinking

With instances of drunk driving on the rise amongst vulnerable teens, more and more schools are relying to Breathalyzers to facilitate the detection of alcohol consumption.

The deployment of Breathalyzers seems to be a last resort for many schools as to put an end to illegal alcohol consumption especially that of which is consumed on school premises during activities sponsored by the school itself.

Many schools reserve the right to administer Breathalyzer tests when there is sufficient evidence suggesting individual is under the influence of alcohol. The evidence generally consists of a list of symptoms an intoxicated individual would display once under the influence. Speech impairment and slurring, bloodshot and dilated eyes, unsteady walking, profane personal conduct, agitated demeanor and erratic behavior are all signs of intoxication. This test is performed by a trained school administer, and for confidentiality purposes, it is performed individually and away from the presence of other teens. Once the teen is suspected of being under the influence, he/she will be asked to perform a Breathalyzer test in which the individual has a right to refuse. Upon refusal, he/she will automatically be denied entry to school event, and parents are immediately notified.

Many schools have strict policies concerning the results of Breathalyzer tests, most of which conclude removal of student from extracurricular activities and suspension, all of which have undeniably detrimental consequences for the individual.

The use of Breathalyzer doesn’t seem to “sit well” with young, naïve teens who believe they are capable of handling alcohol like adults. Across the nation, teens are indoctrinated and often the target of mass media that for many years now has been very successful in encouraging alcohol consumption by promoting it via movies, video games and other forms of entertainment that generally appeals to young adults. In many cases, alcohol is portrayed as the only way to forget about ones everyday problems, a sign of “maturity”, an instant mood booster and a way take advantage of the opposite sex. Many teens succumb to the peer pressure surrounding alcohol, sabotaging their lives as well as the lives of their loved ones.

The adoption of Breathalyzers is in no way intended to humiliate, discriminate and demean the already sensitive adolescent, but to demonstrate needed authority that for years seemed to be “toned down” and often ineffective.

The message is clear. Illegal consumption of alcohol by minors is prevalent during many school function, dances, proms and other school sponsored social events and therefore each and every individual will be subjected to a Breathalyzer test in which they will either pass or fail. No exceptions will be made and harsh consequences await advantageous teens.

In summary, “underage drinking” or alcohol use is a common occurrence in the lives of most young adults under the age of 21. Breathalyzers will help school authorities keep alcohol use in school grounds in check, and help prevent accidents, as about 45 percent of fatalities in crashes involve young adults under the age of 21 who is driving under the influence.

Parents should be wary as early use of alcohol can turn into abuse and addiction. If your teen is struggling with alcohol abuse?

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 Help: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com/
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com/

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