Adolescent Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Comorbidities

Substance use disorders have a serious impact on adolescents because these disorders have high prevalence rates and frequent associations with psychiatric disorders. Surveys of adolescent behaviors and substance use show that alcohol is the most common substance abused by adolescents. Despite the high rates of current alcohol use and binge drinking among adolescents, current diagnostic criteria are problematic. Adolescents may have a developing problem with substance dependence but not meet criteria for either substance abuse or dependence. At-risk adolescents, called "diagnostic orphans," may meet only 1 or 2 criteria for alcohol dependence and no abuse criteria and therefore do not receive an alcohol use disorder diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Adolescents with substance use disorders tend to have higher rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders and are more likely to report a history of trauma and physical and/or sexual abuse than adolescents without a substance use disorder. In addition, psychiatric disorders in adolescents often predate the substance use disorder. Once the substance use disorder develops, the psychiatric disorder may be further exacerbated.

Information above has been compiled from: US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

Saint Louis County’s Heroin Addiction

According to St. Louis County’s police department located in the state of Missouri, heroin overdose claimed the lives of 49 individuals in the past year.

St. Louis County police Chief Tim Fitch believes the problem has reached epidemic proportions with almost every race and social class succumbing to heroin, the popular and cheap alternative to other illegal substances with widespread availability.

The campaign “Curiosity + Heroin: Not Even Once”, a joint effort of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, St. Louis County’s Children's Service Fund and the St. Louis County Police Department have all been working closely together to educate the public on the detrimental side effects of using heroin. Furthermore, they have been identifying and arresting individuals who supply the drug in schools and neighborhoods across the county

The campaign has vowed to battle long and hard with heroin’s low costs, widespread availability and decreasing social stigma, in hopes of eliminating the heartbreaking causalities of heroin overdose within the next few years.

If you or someone you know need help with drug abuse and addiction contact our 24 hour toll free helpline at: 1-888-757-6237.

You may also visit our websites for more information on drug abuse, addiction and treatment programs:

http://www.inspirationsyouth.com

http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Is Your Teen More Likely to Use Drugs/ Drink Alcohol?

There are factors that increase the risk of teens using drugs and/or drinking alcohol. Being aware of these factors can help parents prevent or reduce the risk for their teens. Knowing the common factors that pair with using drugs or alcohol, can help parents decide when it is time to have conversations and take action. According to timetoact.drugfree.org, there are five main categories of these indicators.

1. The Individual: The teen begins to drink or use drugs at an early age, they don’t think drugs are harmful, suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, suffers from depression, anxiety or conduct disorders, impulsive, rebellious.

2. Peers: The teen hangs out with other teens that are rebellious, drink/ use drugs, have positive views of drugs/alcohol, involved in gangs, began drinking/ drug use at an early age.

3. Family: family history of addiction or alcoholism, traumatic events such as abuse or divorce, small amount of parental supervision, no parental expectations on teens, inconsistent punishment, lack of parental concern for drug use, ongoing family conflict/arguing, parents who suffer from mental illness or depression.

4. School: the teen has always struggled with school, learning disability, on the remedial track in school, grades dropping, not doing homework, lack of motivation and commitment.

5. Community: easily accessible drugs and alcohol in the neighborhood, lack of community resources, low income community, music/tv portraying drug use and alcohol positively.

Having these factors present in or around your teen does not guarantee that your teen will use drugs, however the presence of one or more of these factors does increase the ability of your teen to interact with drugs and alcohol.

Inspirations for Youth and Families aka, Inspirations Teen Rehab is here to help your teen and your family through this difficult process.

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

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