Top 5 Reasons Teens Resource to Drugs

Teens are a population of people, most at risk for drug use, abuse, and addiction. For troubled teens, the risk that teens will smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs increase sharply if they are highly stressed, frequently bored or have substantial amounts of spending money. According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), below are the top five reasons teens resource to drugs:

1. To combat loneliness, low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression

2. To mentally ‘check-out’ of family issues or school troubles

3. To ease discomfort in an unfamiliar situation

4. To look cool or change their image/reputation

5. To fit in with a desired group of friend

To learn more about teen drug use, abuse and addiction visit: Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka, Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab.

If you suspect your child is abusing drugs or alcohol, 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 Teen Drug Rehab empowers parents/guardians to make decisions that will protect and guide teens through the journey of teenage years.

Addiction 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

Teens are a population of people, most at risk for drug use, abuse, and addiction. For troubled teens, the risk that teens will smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs increase sharply if they are highly stressed, frequently bored or have substantial amounts of spending money.

According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), below are the top five reasons teens resource to drugs:

1. To combat loneliness, low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression

2. To mentally ‘check-out’ of family issues or school troubles

3. To ease discomfort in an unfamiliar situation

4. To look cool or change their image/reputation

5. To fit in with a desired group of friend

To learn more about teen drug use, abuse and addiction visit: Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka, Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab.

If you suspect your child is abusing drugs or alcohol, 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 Teen Drug Rehab empowers parents/guardians to make decisions that will protect and guide teens through the journey of teenage years.

Addiction 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

Prescription Drugs - Juveniles in Trouble with the Law

If your son or daughter were to give another child prescription drugs that they might find at home and the child overdose and die, it is highly likely that a civil suit against you for negligence will result in your having to pay damages.

There is also a chance that you could face criminal prosecution for your leaving dangerous drugs around that could lead to the death of another.

Possession of controlled substances with intent to sell is a crime. The painkillers are mostly Schedule II drugs. Ritalin and Adderall are Schedule II drugs. Most benzodiazepines are Schedule IV drugs.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s report “Crime in the United States”, there were 143,639 juveniles arrested by state and local law enforcement agencies for drug abuse violations during 2006, representing 10.4% of the drug arrests in which the offender’s age was reported.

If your child is caught in possession of any amount of painkillers or stimulants here are the federal guidelines:

First Offense: Not more than 20 years. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 years, or more than life. Fine $1 million.

Second Offense: Not more than 30 years. If death or serious injury, not less than life. Fine $2 million.

If your child is caught with benzodiazepines, here are the federal guidelines:

First Offense: Not more than 3 years. Fine not more than $250,000.
Second Offense: Not more than6 years. Fine not more than $500,000.

Obviously, if your child is treated as a minor the guidelines can be different, but it is still drug trafficking. By leaving prescription drugs around and by not educating our kids about the dangers of prescription drugs, they risk not only serious injury or death but also prison.

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

Addiction 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

Most Abused Prescription Drugs Abuse by Teens

Painkillers (OxyContin and its generic form oxycodone, Lortab, Vicodin, Percodan, Percocet and the Fentanyl Patch) are the most common pharmaceuticals abused by teens, especially by younger teens. Stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall) abuse is more common among older teens and college students than younger teens. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin) are abused by teens of all ages.

Oxies, OC, hillbilly heroin, oxycotton, 80s, percs, vikes, and vikings are commonly used terms to refer to painkillers. Ritz, rippers, dexies, and bennies are commonly used terms to refer to stimulants. Benzos, xanies, xani-bars, xani-bombs, and roofies are commonly used terms to refer to benzodiazepines.

Everyone understands that heroin is a dangerous drug and many people die from heroin overdoses. What parent would not be horrified if their children took heroin? However, if your children are taking these narcotic painkillers, they are taking drugs that mimic the effects of heroin in the body.

Everyone also understands that cocaine is a dangerous drug. What parent wants their children to use cocaine? However, many parents watch their children take Ritalin and Adderall, two heavy stimulants that are Schedule II drugs-just like cocaine. In 2006, it is estimated that three out of 10 high school seniors abuse prescription stimulants.

Stimulant side effects include dilated pupils, increased heart and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, feelings of restlessness, anxiety, and delusions, hostility and aggression, and panic, suicidal, or homicidal tendencies. Overdose or death is preceded by high fever, convulsions, and heart failure which may be hastened by physical activity.

Benzodiazepines can cause dilated pupils and slurred speech, feelings of intoxication, loss of motor coordination, respiratory depression, sensory alteration, depression and lowered blood pressure. In younger children these side effects are multiplied and can lead to seizures and, if not immediately addressed, death.

Since antidepressants (Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, Lexapro) are prescribed now for everything from weight loss to muscle pain, they are in many medicine cabinets and are left lying on bedside tables. As we discussed last week, there is now evidence that these drugs are no more effective than a placebo (sugar pill) and that they are linked to 52% of the suicides by women in Sweden in2006. The FDA has ordered suicide and violence warnings placed on the antidepressant boxes if these dangerous drugs are taken by teenagers because these violent side effects are even more prevalent in younger people.

The danger to teens from all of these prescription drugs is greatly increased when they are combined with each other or with alcohol.

No caring parent would leave heroin, cocaine or other dangerous street drugs on their nightstand or in the medicine cabinet or just dump it in the garbage. However, many parents do exactly this with legal heroin, legal cocaine: antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Addiction 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

What are Pharm Parties?

Many parents do not realize that their own medicine cabinet can be a source of a variety of drugs for abuse.

You may not know what pharming is, but your teenagers do. Your first step in helping protect your teens is to speak the same language. Knowing the vocabulary surrounding prescription drug abuse can help you take a proactive approach in communicating with your teen and safeguarding their health and safety.

Teenagers turn to prescription drugs because they perceive them as less dangerous than illegal drugs. Because of this, teenage prescription drug abuse is on the rise.

In conversations with your teen about drugs, be sure to include prescription drug abuse and why it's harmful. Tell them that taking prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs without a doctor's approval and supervision can be a dangerous—even deadly—decision. Dispel the myth that these drugs are less harmful than street drugs because they are available through a doctor or at the local drug store.

The Language of Prescription Drug Abuse

Big boys, cotton, kicker
Various slang for prescription pain relievers.

Chill pills, french fries, tranqs
Various slang for prescription sedatives and tranquilizers.

"Pharming" (pronounced "farming")
From the word pharmaceutical. It means kids getting high by raiding their parents' medicine cabinets for prescription drugs to get high.

"Pharm parties"
Parties where teens bring prescription drugs from home, mix them together into a big bowl (see 'trail mix'), and grab a handful. Not surprisingly, pharm parties are usually arranged while parents are out.

"Bowling parties"
Like "pharming" - mixing medications and taking them randomly.

"Happy Little Pill Time"
Sharing and taking these substances on the way to school.

OTC
Over the counter medications (cough and cold medicines, pills or liquids, for example)

DXM
Dextromethorphan is the active ingredient in over 100 drug products, including cough medicine.

"Robo-tripping ", "Robo-fizzing" , Skittling, Dex-ing
Abuse of cough medicine

Smurfing-buying
Medications from more than one retail store

SLANG:
Pain Relievers
Oxycodone (Hillbilly Heroin)
Percocet (Percs)
Vicodin (Happy Pills, Vikes)

Depressants
Benzodiasepines (Candy, Downers, Sleeping Pills, Tranks)
Xanax (Totem Poles)
Barbiturates (Barbs, Reds, Blue Birds, Phennies, Yellow Jackets, Tooties)

Stimulants
Ritalin (Kiddy Cocaine, Vitamin R, West Coast)
Amphetamines (Bennies, Crosses, Black Beauties, Hearts, Speed, LA Turnaround, Truck Drivers, Uppers)

Cough Medicine
Triple_C, CCC, Dex, Skittles, DXM, Syrup, Tussin

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

Addiction 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

Alarming Facts on Teen Drug Abuse

According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America:

–1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription pain medication
–1 in 5 teens report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers
–1 in 10 teens have abused cough medication

According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy:

Though overall teen drug use is down nationwide, more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other illicit drug except marijuana – more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined.

Every day, 2,500 kids aged 12-17 abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time and more people are getting addicted to prescription drugs.

Drug treatment admissions for prescription painkillers increased more than 300 percent from 1995 to 2005.

Teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a ”safe” high.

Especially troubling is that the majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs say they are easy to get and are often free.

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

Addiction 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

Teen Drug Abuse - The Talk You Can't Postpone

It's a topic not many parents want to discuss, but one that must be talked about: teen drug abuse.

With recent researches showing the average age of a first time user to be between 13 to 14 years of age, and with one in five eighth-graders reporting to be using or having tried illegal drugs, parents are been advised to make that much needed talk about drugs at earlier ages. Also, parents are been encouraged to educate themselves on the new trends of drug use.

Although K2, also known as Spice, and Bath Salts, also known as Synthetic Cocaine have alarmed the country in recent months, it is prescription drug who leads the cause of death among teen overdoses.

In the past, the more dangerous the perception of the drug the less likely a child was to try it, and that is why they would began experimenting with marijuana ; however, these days kids are experimenting with prescription pills because they perceive them as being safer and they are easy to get a hold of.

According to research seven out of ten abused drugs by teens are prescription. Some of the most abused prescription drugs are: OxyContin, Hydrocodone (Vicodin) and methadone, with Vicodin been the most commonly abused. Teens are abusing prescription drugs by crushing the pills and snorting them. By doing so they are experiencing the same rush as snorting heroin.

In recent years it has become clear that most teens addicted to drugs have started with the misuse of pills and soon transition to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to get.

Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab knows that all too well. Last year alone the majority of teens treated for heroin addiction at their residential facility, reported starting they drug abuse with prescription drugs, and about fifty percent of all admissions at Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab were related to prescription drug dependency.

To learn more about the recent trends on teen drug abuse visit: Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka, Inspirations Teen Rehab, where every teen is a child with a dream.

Addiction 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