Addiction Identified as a Chronic Brain Disease

A recent statement released by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) on August 15, 2011, has shocked millions of Americans throughout the country. After two decades of successful advancements in neurology the ASAM has concluded that after years of extensive research, they believe addiction is “not solely related to problematic substance abuse” but more so a chronic disease that compels individuals to form addictive, detrimental habits.

Former president of ASAM, Dr. Michael Miller believes that “addiction isn't just a social problem or a moral problem or a criminal problem, but a brain problem whose behaviors manifest in all these other areas".

Dr. Miller believes “we have to stop moralizing, blaming, controlling or smirking at the person with the disease of addiction, and start creating opportunities for individuals and families to get help and providing assistance in choosing proper treatment”.

It is estimated that with addiction now being treated as a “chronic disease”, advanced addiction rehabilitation methods will be able to better assist those battling addiction by identifying and understanding their addictions on both a physical and mental scale, and while doing so, offer them the help they need in order to overcome their addiction, regain their self-esteem and function normally in society.

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

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

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

Kentucky ranked Highest for Drug Related Deaths

We have all been told at one point or another that drugs are dangerous. That they have physical side effects, including death. Well Kentucky has been deemed the nation’s state with the highest amount of drug related deaths. The large amount of drug related deaths due to drug abuse comes from all age groups including a mother of four, a student and local teens. The drug deaths are not just from poor or uneducated communities it is state wide affecting all types of people.

Research shows that drug abuse and addiction in Kentucky is higher than any other state. One study reported that the residents of the state of Kentucky use more than double the nation’s average of Hydrocodone, which is usually a prescription drug. Teens report that family members are their source for supply of drugs. Kentucky was also ranked one of the top ten states with the highest nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers for ages twelve and older. According to the medical reports, the drugs most common in the drug related deaths were: methadone, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Valium, and Xanex. Local officials say that when the families try to deal with the problem in private, they end up becoming an enabler of the addiction. Providing funds, shelter, actually fuels the addiction cycle and does not make the user take accountability. Drug abuse and drug related deaths are such an issue because as the trend increases, the cost of patient treatment increases and is passed on to tax payers, courts, law enforcement, and jails.

If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug abuse or addiction and is in need of help, Inspirations Teen 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 addiction treatment process we will work with the teen to identify the factors that may have contributed to the prescription drug abuse and addiction – 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 Help: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com

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

Teens, Marijuana use and depression

Many people assume that when teens use illegal drugs it is because they are addicted to the feeling it brings about or that the users want to use the drugs to reach a high. However new studies show that this is not always the case. Many teens are turning to drugs as an alternative to legal medications or legal therapies. This could explain why your teen is using drugs.

Some parents do not have open line of communication with their teens, they might think they do, but in reality for some reason, their teen is not telling them all. One sure sign is if every time you ask your teen how they are and they always respond with “I am fine or everything is fine,” this might indicate that they are not telling you something. Nobody is fine all the time, especially during the teenage years with tribulations of friends and young relationships. Maybe your teen tried to ask for help but in a way you did not understand, or maybe they do not know how to ask for help. Either way for about one third of teens that smoke marijuana, they smoke instead of going to therapy or taking medication to cope with issues in their lives. Their goal is not to get high but instead to find means to deal with certain aspects of their life.

In a recent study conducted, teens complained about using marijuana because they did not have access to the appropriate health care, and when they did, what was prescribed to them did not make them feel any better. They report that marijuana helps them relax and prescribed drugs such as Prozac, cause sleeping, mood and emotional problems. If and when prescribing medication to teens, site effects should be monitored closely. As not all drugs work the same for everyone, in fact it may cause more harm than good.

Your teen does not need to resource to illegal drugs to fit in society. Your teen needs help, support and counseling. Research indicates that the family is the most important aspect in preventing adolescent substance abuse. It is even greater than peer influence. In fact the positive role of family influence and the structure of the family, help to prevent poor peer choices in addition to poor choices or risky behaviors of substance abuse. Be an active part of your teens life and if your teen is depressed and using drugs seek professional help. It is never too late to prevent and/or stop an addiction. You as a parent of a family member can prevent a tragic outcome. Don't let your child become a statistic.

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

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

Is Your Teen Depressed and "Self Medicating" ?

Many Teens are depressed and report suffering from weeks of loss of motivation in daily activities. Instead of turning to counseling or seek doctor’s help for possibly treatment with prescribed depression medication, they are choosing to self-medicate. They are choosing anything from marijuana to prescription drugs as their self medication. At first abusing prescription drugs and marijuana might feel like they are helping, but the truth and research, points to the contrary.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Report, shows that marijuana use worsens depression and leads to more serious mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and suicide. This report also shows that using drugs, specifically marijuana, to relieve the feelings of depression compound the problem, intensifying the issues. Teens that are depressed are twice as likely to use illegal drugs during their depression as teens that are not depressed. This trend leads to the teens becoming twice as likely as their peers to become dependent on marijuana and other illicit drugs. Using or smoking marijuana creates a problem for people suffering from depression because marijuana is associated with leading to suicidal thoughts, depression, and suicide. The concern with marijuana use has increased over the years due to the fact that the potency has also risen. Self medicating using illegal drugs such as marijuana or prescription drugs is not the answer for those suffering from depressions or feelings associated with depression. There are other options available. Do not let depression lead to other problems such as addiction or worse, death.

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 time of 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, call Inspirations Teen Rehab for help. Inspirations offers a one of a kind teen addiction treatment program that is very flexible to fit the needs of each teen including the opportunity to continue their high school academics without losing time or high school credits. The teen drug and alcohol rehab program has been featured on the Dr. Phill show, in a segment called Dangerous Fads in subject of “Huffing” one of teens’ new addiction.

It is never too late to prevent and/or stop an addiction. You as a parent of a family member can prevent a tragic outcome. Don't let your child become an statistic.

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 (1-888-75SOBER)
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com

Addiction Treatment for Young Adults and Adults : 1-888-387-6237 (1-888-38SOBER)

http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

TEENS AND POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the primary causes of self-medicating substance abuse behaviors that can lead to teen alcohol abuse and addiction and/or teen drug abuse and teen drug addiction. Recognizing and seeking treatment for PTSD and addiction, allows an individual to focus on the process of changing behaviors, improving coping skills, finding solutions to problems, and working through the process of addiction recovery.

The DSM-IV-TR, defines traumatic events as: “Traumatic events that are experienced directly include, but are not limited to, violent personal assault (sexual assault, physical attack, robbery, mugging), being kidnapped, terrorist attack, incarceration, natural or man made disasters, automobile accidents, military combat, or being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.” P.463. Perception of a traumatic event not mentioned above is also relevant, as we all perceive events in our lives differently. Witnessed events are considered traumatic. Divorce, either as the child of divorce or the marital partner of a divorce, can elicit PTSD, as well as contribute to abandonment issues. The DSM-IV-TR, aka Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is the manual by which mental health professionals diagnose and review criteria for treatment.

Inspirations Teen Rehab’s teen residential addiction treatment center, provides treatment for teenage PTSD through individual, group, and family therapy, as well as other therapeutic modalities and programs. Trauma therapy helps teens improve coping skills, decision making skills, communication skills, and develop positive self-esteem. Solution Focused Therapy assists teens in finding solutions and opportunities for change regarding traumatic events and perceptions of events. Teens and families struggling with Teenage PTSD, are encouraged to contact Inspirations Teen Addiction Treatment Program at inspirationsteenrehab.com or call 888-757-6237, and begin the healing process for teen PTSD, and teen substance abuse, as part of their journey in recovery.

Source: Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR; 2000
Written by: K. Corcoran