Parents Talk to your Teens About the Dangers of Energy Drinks

With highly caffeinated energy drinks continuing to fly off stores shelves, physicians have raised serious concern over the consumption of such dangerous drinks, particularly those purchased and consumed by adolescents and children.

Best selling drinks contain about 80 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounce serving but many products can contain up to 500 milligrams of caffeine which can cause dangerous side effects such as heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea and other complications which can be life threatening.

 FDA regulations prohibit caffeine contents over 71 milligrams per 12 ounce in soft beverages, but  fail to apply the same limits for energy drinks labeled as “dietary supplements”. Furthermore, manufacturers are exempt from listing caffeine content or all ingredients on the label, often using marketing terms such as "energy blend" or "proprietary blend” to boost their sales and elude FDA regulations.

Despite the controversy surrounding energy drinks and its consumption by athletes, many athletes confess to consuming energy drinks in order to increase their alertness and energy which ultimately enhances their performance. Many even equate energy drinks with coffee and strongly believe the use of popular energy drinks should not been outlawed or banned before athletic activity, as the active ingredient of most energy drinks is caffeine, a legal stimulant.

So with more and more energy drink manufacturers producing a wide variety of energy drinks, shots and dietary supplements in order to target vulnerable populations such as athletes, teens and children, parents need to monitor their children while discussing the dangers of popular energy drinks and supplements repeatedly advertised on TV.

The American Psychiatric Association uses the term “substance dependence” in place of “addiction

The American Psychiatric Association uses the term “substance dependence” in place of “addiction” however the two terms are synonymous, or more precisely “substance dependence” = “substance addiction” (since gambling addiction is not substance dependence) and is defined as a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.

To meet the criteria of Substance Dependence (addiction) as defined in the DSM-IV, a patient must meet 3 or more of the following occurring any time in the same 12-month period:

1, Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
(a) A need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or the desired effect
or
(b) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.

2. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
(a) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance
or
(b) The same (or closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

3. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.

4. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.

5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects.

6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.

7. The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (for example, current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer
was made worse by alcohol consumption).

Due to the resulting confusion between the terms "physical dependence" and "substance dependence" there is some talk within the industry of reintroducing the term "addiction" because it is better understood and may pose less chance of confusion.

Adolescent Addiction Treatment

There are many types of adolescent addiction treatment programs. Adolescent addiction treatment types are determined by the adolescent's level of use and other mental health and medical issues.

Detoxification, short-term and long-term adolescent addiction treatment, intensive addiction treatment outpatient programs, 12-step programs and individual, family and group therapy are all forms of addiction treatment. Detoxification may be part of an adolescent addiction treatment and it may last one week whereas other such as long-term, residential addiction treatment can last 30 days or longer.

Each type of adolescent addiction treatment program has its own advantages. Including parents in the adolescent’s addiction treatment is critical to success, so a good adolescent addiction treatment facility includes parents and family in their adolescent addiction therapy programs.

Adolescent Addiction Treatment Recreational an Alternative Therapies
Some specialized adolescent addiction treatment facilities, offer recreational and alternative addiction treatment therapies such as sports, art, music therapy and other types of recreational therapies involving team building activities and relaxation. These types of activities will help adolescents complete the treatment and will positively influence their social behavior like team play skills, trust in others, sense of responsibility and self confidence.

Choosing an Adolescent Addiction Treatment Facility
Choosing the right adolescent addiction treatment facility is the most important step in choosing the right treatment. Due to their developmental needs, when you are choosing an adolescent addiction treatment program, it's important to ensure that the program is specifically for adolescents. Also, if the adolescent has mental health issues, the facility should be able to treat them at the same time. Some adolescent addiction treatment facilities provide alongside addiction treatment an educational program which will help your adolescent in keeping their school credits while away from home in a treatment center.

Getting your Child Addiction Treatment as Soon as the Problem is Identified
If you have an adolescent struggling with substance abuse please seek help. Most parents recognize when their child needs help, others will need the advice of a doctor, therapist or family member. Whatever your case may be, time is of essence. You need to act fast.

Inspirations for Youth and Families, will guide you in the right direction identifying and helping you choose the most suitable addiction treatment program and therapies for your child. Prevent a tragic outcome. Don't let your child become a statistic. Give us a call today.

Adolescent Addiction Treatment
Free Initial Consultation: 1-888-757-6237 
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Young Adult and Adult Addiction Treatment
Free Initial Consultation: : 1-888-757-6237 
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Parents Can Help Prevent Underage Drinking During the Holidays

Too often parents look the other way when it comes to teen drinking, assuming it is a ‘rite of passage.’ It is not unusual for well-meaning parents to provide alcohol to their teen’s friends at home parties.

Inspirations Teen Rehab encourages parents to be extra cautious in preventing underage alcohol use during the festive holiday season when traffic fatalities typically rise, as college students are returning home and holiday parties abound.

According to the Century Council, a group of distillers that works to reduce underage drinking, 17 percent of adults believe it is acceptable for parents to provide alcohol to teens in their own homes.

A new Teens Today study from Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) reports that 45 percent of high school teens are allowed to drink at home. Almost one in three say they are allowed to mark special occasions, like holidays, with alcohol at home. Over half of teens who say their parents allow them to drink admit to drinking while out with their friends, while only 14 percent of those who aren’t allowed to drink admit to doing so while with friends.

Parents remember that offering alcohol to person under 21 is a disorderly person’s offense and it is punishable by monetary fines and up to six months incarceration. Possession of alcohol by an underage person is also a disorderly person’s offense, punishable by the same guidelines. Most importantly by encouraging your teen to drink alcohol you are also encouraging a behavior that can turn into an addiction. There is no need to include alcohol on your teen’s celebrations.

Happy Holidays from all of Us at Inspirations for Youth and Families.

As the rates of teen prescription drug abuse continue to pose a public health threat at epidemic levels, many fear their teens will do almost anything in order to get their hands on prescription medication, which can be conveniently obtained in almost every household at practically no cost.

It is estimated that each day, approximately 2500 teens use some type of prescription medication for the first time, making it the most abused category of drugs in the U.S with the exception of marijuana. National surveys have shown that 1 out of every 4 teens has abused a prescription medication which leads to addiction, experts like Dr. Drew Pinsky believes that the problem is bigger than we think it is.

“Young people are putting themselves in danger, even dying, because they do not understand how dangerous these otherwise safe prescription medications can be when misused and abused”. Pinsky said.

Pinsky, who works with a national drug awareness problem known as “Smart Moves, Smart Choices”, believes the first step in preventing prescription drug abuse is to inform teens on the serious consequences they rarely hear about. He also believes that parents should monitor their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of any leftover medication that could potentially fall into the hands of a curious teen. Moreover, Pinsky believes that educators need to take initiative and incorporate projects, assignments and activities that get teens involved with drug related content, in order to enlighten them on the life threatening and potentially fatal consequences they can face if they give into peer pressure, even if the drug is a seemingly innocent cough syrup, nesting in an unattended medicine cabinet.

Do you know or suspect your child is abusing prescription drugs? He or she might still be in the pre-stages of addiction, either way you know you can't wait to get help.

If you have any questions, please know that Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab is here to provide you with support and guidance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions free of charge about teen behavior, substance use, adolescent addiction, teen drug rehab, or other related matters.

Addiction and Behavior Treatment for Teens: 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

New Trend: Vodka-Soaked Gummy Bears

Consuming “vodka gummy bears” is now considered a dangerous new trend among teens whose parents would never assume an innocent bag of gummy bears lying in the fridge contained alcohol.

Vodka-soaked gummy bears, a do-it-yourself alcoholic candy, are becoming a national trend and Inspirations Teen Rehab wants parents and teachers to be on the lookout because most of us wouldn’t suspect a child with gummy candy is trying to get drunk.

While fads come and go, this one might stick around a little longer, as several videos on YouTube have been found given step by step instructions on how to prepare the vodka gummy bears to disguise alcohol consumption. Incidents have already been reported in New York and Nebraska of children soaking the candy in vodka or gin and then bringing the bloated bears to school.

“Impact”, a local group coaching Milwaukee teens on drug and alcohol prevention, has been reaching out to teens by providing them with young peer counselors they can relate to, which in this case, is an individual from the same generation who faces the same social challenges and peer pressure the teen faces while attending school. Kaela Wojtycski, a peer counselor wants her fellow teens to know that alcohol is not the long term solution to their problems. Wojtycski has said “trying to keep your grades up, balancing between friends and school work just gets to you sometimes. But you know, doing things like drinking, smoking, are just going to add on to your problems."

The counselors have been able to successfully indentify dangerous fads among teens and work with other counselors in the program in order to discourage drug and alcohol use and promote public awareness on dangerous trends such as “vodka gummy bears”, which can go undetected unless exposed on a larger scale.

If you have any questions, please know that Inspirations Teen Rehab is here to provide you with support and guidance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions free of charge about teen alcohol abuse, teen behavior, substance use, adolescent addiction, teen drug rehab, or other related matters.

Contact us at: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

The Growing Problem of Synthetic Drugs

While many blame illegal drugs for causing accidental deaths and overdoses, many fail to realize that legal synthetic drugs are the underlying cause of a growing number of drug-related incidents.

Due to its legality and widespread availability, many have turned to synthetic drugs in order to achieve the same effects they were achieving while using illegal drugs. Substances such as “iAroma”, whose fumes are inhaled, were developed to substitute K2 and marijuana, which lead to serious health complications and numerous ER visits by unassuming individuals who believed that if a substance was legal, it could not have major risks. 

Furthermore, research has shown that in addition to legal substances becoming dangerously popular in the U.S, legally prescribed painkillers are just as culpable, with at least 15,000 deaths occurring from their abuse each year, a number that is higher than heroin and cocaine overdoses combined.

With a growing number of synthetic drug casualties, schools and community centers should invest in programs that focus on illegal and legal drugs circulating throughout communities in order to raise public awareness and contact authorities and even government legislators to help prevent the distribution and potentially ban any legal substance which poses a public health threat.

For more information on synthetic drugs and drug rehabilitation visit: 

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 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