Teens and Marijuana: Why Parents Should not Ignore

Daily marijuana use among young adults is at its highest levels since 1991. A national survey released in October shows that 17 million Americans — mostly teens or young adults — used pot in 2010. About 40% of those used it on 20 or more days in the past month, up from 36.7% in 2009.

The director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Nora Volkow, recently stated that “roughly one out of 10 people who try marijuana get addicted" and "young users were more vulnerable than older ones”. She also stated that because research hasn’t been able to identify the underlying reasons why some individuals become addicted and some don’t, it is safer to avoid the substance and its potential dangers. Furthermore, Volkow blames medicinal marijuana for undermining the serious side effects of marijuana by portraying it as beneficial to one’s health. Additionally, Volkow believes that “hearing about the medicinal benefits of marijuana makes people think it must not be harmful”.

Peter Delany of the Substance Abuse and Mental health Administration believes that marijuana has become the biggest drug problem in the United States considering how the number of its users has more than doubled in the past decade.

The media also plays an important role in decreasing the social stigma attached to marijuana by portraying it “cool” and “commonly used by every top athlete and celebrity”.

The widespread ignorance by teens (and some of  their parents) and  the media's general failure is to distinguish between adolescents and adults when they report on marijuana use and its dangers. When you're young and the body is still growing, marijuana actually has the potential of inflicting a long-lasting, negative impact on the developing brain. In addition, using marijuana at a young age can result in structural and functional deficits of the brain. This could develop weakened verbal and communication skills, lowered learning capabilities and a shortened attention span.

Parents concerned about their impressionable teenagers can get involved by monitoring their teen’s circle of friends and openly communicating about the dangerous side effects of marijuana that is rarely discussed in the media.

For more information on teen marijuana abuse and teen marijuana addiction 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

How is Teen Marijuana Addiction Treated?

Marijuana Addiction Treatment programs focus on counseling and group support systems as there is no medications for treating marijuana addiction at this time.

There are many types of marijuana addiction treatment programs for teens. Inspirations Teen Rehab determines which treatment type is necessary by the adolescent's level of use and other mental health and medical issues.

Detoxification, short-term and long-term rehabilitation, intensive outpatient programs, 12-step programs and individual, family and group therapy are all forms of drug addiction treatment offered and provided by Inspirations Teen Rehab. Some types of treatment such as detoxification may last one week whereas other such as long-term, residential alcoholism treatment can last 30 days or longer.

Inspirations Teen Rehab includes parents in the teen's drug rehabilitation treatment which is critical to a successful recovery.

Specifically design for adolescents, Inspirations Teen Rehab offers mental health treatment in addiction to substance abuse treatment. Inspirations is well known for its additional premier services such as: educational program which helps your child in keeping their school credits while in treatment and a huge array of extra-curricular activities such as: sports (including teen building activities), art therapy, music therapy, special outings and our famous family workshop. At Inspirations monthly workshop, parents, family members, teens and therapists share their experiences, talk about the changes achieved so far, changes needed to be made, plans and hope for the future.

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

E-mail (one of our counselors will respond within 24 hours)

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

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

Teen Marijuana Abuse the Gateway to Other Drugs

The most used illegal drug in the United States among teens is marijuana. Marijuana has maintained its popularity for decades as the number one illicit drug in America. Marijuana is often considered "safe," and is also considered a "gateway drug" because of the teens’ perception that it is mostly harmless. However, marijuana is mind altering substance, and it does have very real and lasting effects on the body.

Rumors about marijuana been better for your health than smoking tobacco is actually just that, a myth. In reality, marijuana smoke can have between 50 and 70 percent more harmful carcinogens than is found in tobacco smoke.

The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics, Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set, estimated 321,648 admissions in 2008. So it is important to note that marijuana use can cause problems, despite being considered "safe" by many.

Long-term studies of high school students and their patterns of drug use show that very few young people use other drugs without first trying marijuana. Though few young people use cocaine, for example, the risk of doing so is much greater for youth who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it. Although research has not fully explained this association, growing evidence suggests a combination of biological, social, and psychological factors are involved.

If you suspect your child is marijuana, 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 and seek help for your child. The earlier you act upon your child’s addiction problems the better off your child will be.

Inspirations for Youth and Families
Addiction 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

Teen Marijuana Abuse the Gateway to Other Drugs

The most used illegal drug in the United States among teens is marijuana. Marijuana has maintained its popularity for decades as the number one illicit drug in America. Marijuana is often considered "safe," and is also considered a "gateway drug" because of the teens’ perception that it is mostly harmless. However, marijuana is mind altering substance, and it does have very real and lasting effects on the body.

Rumors about marijuana been better for your health than smoking tobacco is actually just that, a myth. In reality, marijuana smoke can have between 50 and 70 percent more harmful carcinogens than is found in tobacco smoke.

The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics, Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set, estimated 321,648 admissions in 2008. So it is important to note that marijuana use can cause problems, despite being considered "safe" by many.

Long-term studies of high school students and their patterns of drug use show that very few young people use other drugs without first trying marijuana. Though few young people use cocaine, for example, the risk of doing so is much greater for youth who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it. Although research has not fully explained this association, growing evidence suggests a combination of biological, social, and psychological factors are involved.

If you suspect your child is marijuana, 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 and seek help for your child. The earlier you act upon your child’s addiction problems the better off your child will be.

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

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

Teen Marijuana Addiction and Facilities That Provide Effective Treatment

Teens use drugs and get addicted to many different types of drugs in the process. One common teen drug addiction is marijuana addiction. There are no medications for treating marijuana addiction at this time. However, different types of marijuana addiction treatment programs are available that effectively deal with teen marijuana addiction. All marijuana addiction treatment programs focus on counseling and group support system. The treatment type chosen for a teen is determined by the adolescent's level of use and his or her mental health and medical issues. Treatments vary in length. Excluding detoxification, which as discussed above is not one of the options for marijuana, all treatments last more than a few weeks. some treatment, such as long-term residential treatment can last 30 days or longer.

Effective treatment of marijuana addiction, like all drug addictions, requires personalized treatment plan that not only addresses the specific drug involved but the addicted person's personality and circumstances of use.

Psychology plays a bigger role in the addicted teens than other groups of addicts. Inclusion of family, especially in the teen's drug rehabilitation treatment, is critical to the success of the treatment. This is the reason that rehab facilities include parents and family members in their addiction therapy programs.

Choosing a teen marijuana rehab treatment facility, involves the understanding of the facility’s personalized teen oriented rehabilitation program and how it takes into account the developmental needs of the teens. It is not uncommon for teens with drug or alcohol problems to be dealing with some type of mental issues too. The facility of choice should be able to treat those mental health issues as well.

Another important part of teen’s addiction treatment is addressing his or her educational needs. It is crucial to minimize the impact of treatment on the child’s education and his chance of graduating from high school, while away from home in the treatment center. For this reason, specialized adolescent teen rehab facilities, provide educational program alongside the addiction treatment.

Additionally, addiction treatment facilities specializing in teen's addictions, offer extra-curricular activities such as sports and educational outings. These types of activities help teens complete the treatment to start with and will positively influence teen’s social behaviors such as team play skills, trust in others, sense of responsibility and self-confidence. Before choosing a treatment facility for your teen, talk to the facility’s counselor or therapist, ask questions about the staff, the facility and the addiction treatment programs they offer.

As everyone agrees, choosing the right treatment facility is the most important step in choosing the right treatment.Most parents recognize when their child needs help. If you find out that your teen is struggling with marijuana use or substance abuse in general, seeking help early can prevent a tragic outcome and stop your loved one from becoming another statistics.

One such specialized treatment center that you should include in your choices, is Inspirations Teen Rehab. Inspirations Teen Rehab, an Adolescent Addiction Treatment Center will help you navigate the path of finding the right rehab center and point you, at least, in the right direction.

All treatment programs at Inspirations Teen Rehab are specifically put together to deal with teens addictions. They offer outpatient, inpatient and residential addiction treatment programs with extracurricular activities and continuing educational programs. Their programs are geared toward treatment and relapse prevention through sports, education, counseling and group and famiy therapies.

You can contact one of their licensed therapists by calling 1-888-757-6237, or get information about their facility by visiting their website at:
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

They also have a separate facility offering addiction treatment for young adults and adults. Contact their adult facility by calling 1-888-387-6237 or visit their website at http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Teen Marijuana Abuse, Addiction and Treatment

Teens use Marijuana in many ways. The most common method is smoking loose marijuana rolled into a cigarette called a “joint” or “nail.” Sometimes marijuana is smoked through a water pipe called a “bong.” Others smoke “blunts”—cigars hollowed out and filled with the drug. And some users brew it as tea or mix it with food.

Some people mistakenly believe that “everybody's doing it” and use that as an excuse to start using marijuana themselves. Well, they need to check the facts, because that’s just not true. According to a 2009 survey called Monitoring the Future, about 7 percent of 8th-graders, 16 percent of 10th-graders, and 21 percent of 12th-graders had used marijuana in the month before the survey. In fact, marijuana use declined from the late 1990s through 2007, with a decrease in past-year use of more than 20 percent in all three grades combined from 2000 to 2007. Unfortunately, this trend appears to be slowing, and marijuana use remains at unacceptably high levels, as the most commonly used illegal drug.

When people smoke marijuana for years they can suffer some pretty negative consequences. For example, because marijuana affects brain function, your ability to do complex tasks could be compromised, as well as your pursuit of academic, athletic, or other life goals that require you to be 100 percent focused and alert. In fact, long-term users self-report less life satisfaction, poorer education, and job achievement, and more interpersonal and mental health problems compared to non-users.

Many people don’t think of marijuana as addictive—they are wrong. In 2007, the majority of youth (age 17 or younger) entering drug abuse treatment reported marijuana as their primary drug abused. Marijuana increases dopamine, which creates the good feelings or “high” associated with its use. A user may feel the urge to smoke marijuana again, and again, and again to re-create that experience. Repeated use could lead to addiction—a disease where people continue to do something, even when they are aware of the severe negative consequences at the personal, social, academic, and professional levels.

If you are a friend or family member of a teen struggling with marijuana abuse and or addiction, call now for 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.

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