The New Highs - Drugs of Abuse

In 2009, colored ecstasy pills started popping up around the country in the shape of President Barack Obama’s head. Those came on the heels of yellow smiley-faced marijuana gum balls appearing at a Howard County school, THC candy bars called “Stoners” marketed underground in California, and turtle-shaped chocolate psychedelic mushrooms in Oregon. Every year, it seems, people think up new ways to get high. According to the feds, below are some unusual drugs the DEA says saw spikes in usage in the past year and others that are making a resurgence.

PURPLE DRANK What is Purple Drank?: Prescription-strength cough syrup combined with lemon-lime soda and pieces of hard candy. Variations include using juice or sports drinks.

Effects of Purple Drank: It’s a sedative and gives users a “woozy” feeling of “swooning euphoria.” The feds say Purple Drank is “highly addictive” and has contributed to overdose deaths, including that of the Texas man widely credited with popularizing the mixture.

Street names: Lean, syrup, Texas tea, purple jelly, purple tonic, sip-sip, player potion, purp and sizzurp.

Rise in Popularity: Used since the 1960s, the mixture has enjoyed a revival as Lil Wayne, Eminem, Kanye West, Fast East Movement and other acts have included references in their music.

Legal Status: With a cough syrup prescription from a doctor, this drink is a combination of legal substances.

KILL What is Kill?: A narcotic, such as heroin, laced with another substance, such as fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, approximately 50 times more potent than heroin.

Effects of Kill: Results in irrational behavior and is extremely dangerous to the user’s health.

Street names: Kill or keel.

Rise in popularity: Used among hard-core junkies drawn in because of its reputation for being more powerful than heroin.

Legal status: Illegal.

BZP What is BSP?: Originally a parasite treatment for cattle, tablets containing the synthetic stimulant drug BZP (N-benzylpiperazine) are often combined with caffeine. BZP is typically pressed onto logo-embossed tablets or shaped into cartoon-character tablets.

Effects of BZP: BZP produces euphoria and cardiovascular effects similar to those of amphetamine, but much less severe. Effects generally last six to eight hours.

Street names: A2, Benny Bear, Benny, Frenzy, Legal E, Legal X, Molly and Nemesis.

Rise in popularity: Law enforcement agencies have reported a spike in usage as the drug is sold as ecstasy to unsuspecting buyers.

Legal status: Illegal in the United States but legal in some parts of Europe.

OPIUM TEA What is Opium Tea?: A tea brewed with various parts of opium poppy plants.

Effects of Opium Tea: Users initially experience a warm feeling and a state of euphoria and sleepiness. At high doses, death can occur through respiratory depression. Effects of the tea begin within 30 minutes and may last up to eight hours. According to medical examiners in several states, five men ingested poppy tea shortly before their deaths.

Street names: Opium tea or poppy tea.

Rise in popularity: Users can find legal ingredients to make the tea at farmer’s markets or on the Internet.

Legal status: Poppy seeds are legal in the United States, but other parts of the plant are illegal. Is your teen abusing drugs? Reach out to us. For information on addiction treatment programs contact:

Teen Addiction Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237

http://www.inspirationsyouth.com

http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

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

The Shortage of Mental Health Specialist for Children

The HealthDay News, reported on Friday, January 21 that teens experiencing severe mental disorders are not receiving treatment for their mental problems.

According to research, from a sample of 6,483 teens, age 13 to 18, only 36.2 percent received treatment for their mental health disorder.

Study author Kathleen Ries Merikangas, of the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, and colleagues found that the disorders most likely to be treated are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and behavior disorder, such as oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.

Research also shows only one in five adolescents received mental health treatment for problems such as anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse.

As research also shows that there is a national shortage of mental health specialist for children, parents who are at loss with the behaviors of their teens can find help at Inspirations for Youth and Families. Inspirations is a highly specialized treatment center, providing treatment for adolescents who are demonstrating a pattern of negative, defiant and disobedient behavior (Oppositional Defiant Disorder -ODD), Conduct Disorder and other self destructive behaviors such as substance abuse.

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.

Reach out to us. For more information on complete treatment programs for Adolescents:
Inspirations for Youth and FamiliesAddiction Treatment for Teens:
1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com/
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com/

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

Kids Do Not Perceive Drugs as Dangerous or Addictive

Kids who begin to use drugs think they will not become addicted. But addiction is a disease characterized by a compulsive drug-seeking behavior regardless of the consequences. Research conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse clearly shows that virtually all drugs that are abused have a profound effect on the child’s brain. Prolonged use of many drugs including cocaine, heroin, marijuana and amphetamines can change the brain in fundamental and long-lasting ways, resulting in drug craving and addiction.

If and when a child drug abuser becomes addicted depends on the individual. Research shows that children who use alcohol and tobacco are more likely to use marijuana than children who do not use these substances. Children who use marijuana are more likely to use other addictive drugs. Certain genetic, social, and environmental risk factors make it more likely that certain individuals will become addicted to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. These include:

• children of alcoholics who, according to several studies, may have inherited genes that make them more prone to addiction, and who may have had more stressful upbringings;
• sensation-seekers who may like the novelty of feeling drunk or high;

• children with psychological problems, such as conduct disorders, who self-medicate to feel better;
• children with learning disabilities, and others who find it difficult to fit in or become frustrated learning;

• children of poverty who lack access to opportunities to succeed and to resources when they're in trouble.

The more risk factors children have, the greater their vulnerability.

Regardless of how "cool" drugs may look, there is nothing glamorous about the reality of addiction, a miserable experience for the addict and everyone around him. Addiction causes an all-consuming craving for drugs, leading a caring person to destroy relationships, work, and family life and many times getting caught up with the criminal system.

If you suspect your child is using illegal drugs, abusing alcohol or prescription drugs, seek professional help and remember these three C's: that 'you didn't Cause, can't Control and can't Cure' your child's problems. But you can and must take charge if you find your child involved with drugs and alcohol. The earlier you act upon your child’s addiction problems the better will be the outcome for your child.

Don’t let your child become a statistic. Reach out to us.

Inspirations for Youth and FamiliesAddiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

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

http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Diagnosing and Treating Teen Behavior Problems

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.

TEEN BEHAVIOR TREATMENT PROGRAM
Inspirations Teen Rehab has created a behavioral treatment program for teens and families. The behavior treatment program includes therapeutic methods and skill building activities that are effective in working with adolescents:

• Psychotherapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Trauma Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Recreational Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Anger Management Skills
• Stress Management Skills
• Coping Skills
• Decision Making Skills
• Motivational Skills
• Communication Skills
• Team Building Skills
• Life Skills

• Physical Exercise Program
• Therapeutic High School Academic Program

Reach out to us. If the information you are looking for is not found here contact us:

Teen Addiction and Behavior Problems Help: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com/
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com/

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