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

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