Every parent wants what's best for their kids and when it comes to the topic of drug abuse you can never be too cautious. There's no way you can watch what your children are doing 24 hours a day but with a little bit of work and by making a few strategic moves there are ten proven ways you can prevent your teen from taking drugs.
Be there for your teen when they need help getting out of a tough situation. If your teenager faces a tough situation such as winding up at a party where drugs or alcohol are available, be the one who will pick them up without being too harsh or making repercussions.
Get to know your teen's friends and their parents (on a first name basis). When you know who your teen is hanging out with it will help you to know what they are doing.
Explain the dangers and consequences of drug abuse to your teen. Talk about how people who are using drugs often say or do things that they normally would not do. Set clear limits about what would happen if your teen uses drugs and follow through with those rules if they are broken.
Stay connected with your teen after they return from school. Establish a routine for your teen to keep them busy after school hours and try to remain connected with them. If you can't be home with your teen leave them notes, call them or have another adult supervise them. You can also sign your teen up for an after school program that can keep them out of harm's way.
Drop any baggage you may be carrying about the mistakes you made as a teenager. Try not to let your past influence your teen in a negative way. Tap into the mature adult you have become and let go of the past.
Talk to your teen often about drugs. By having frequent conversations (not lectures) with your teen about drugs, they are less likely to use. Use an ice breaker to make yourself more comfortable if you must, such as taking a message from a television or radio show.
Cleabrook Treatment Centers are there for you if your child or teen ever turns to drug use or abuse. To combat this issue, they have established the Cleabrook Lodge, designed specifically for adolescents. Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Gay Teens and Drug Abuse
Though overall usage rates have decreased in recent years, drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers remains a cause for concern in the United States. The problem is particularly acute among certain high-risk demographic groups – one of which is comprised of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) teens.
A study by Dr. Michael P. Marshal of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center revealed that LGBT teens are 190 percent more likely to use drugs and alcohol than are heterosexual teens, and that the usage rate is even higher among certain subgroups. For example, Marshal’s study, which was published in the April 2008 edition of the journal Addiction, documented that the prevalence of drug or alcohol use among bisexual youth is 340 percent greater than the rate among straight teens. Among lesbian youth, the number rises to 400 percent.
LAMBDA, an advocacy association dedicated to improving the quality of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, says the effects of pressure and discrimination are not limited to alcohol and drug use. In the Youth Outreach section of its website, LAMBDA reports the following:
•A 1999 study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than are heterosexual teens.
•According to this same DHHS study, 30 percent of successful teen suicides are by gay, lesbian, or bisexual youths.
•An estimated 40 percent of street kids – many of whom turn to prostitution or other abusive situations after running away or being thrown out of their homes – are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
•Researchers have reported that more than one in four LGBT youth have severe drug or alcohol problems.
Cleabrook Treatment Centers understand the increased social pressure gay teens may face, especially when it come to drug and alcohol abuse. Clearbrook Treatment Centers established the Clearbrook Lodge to help combat adolescent drug use and abuse. Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
A study by Dr. Michael P. Marshal of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center revealed that LGBT teens are 190 percent more likely to use drugs and alcohol than are heterosexual teens, and that the usage rate is even higher among certain subgroups. For example, Marshal’s study, which was published in the April 2008 edition of the journal Addiction, documented that the prevalence of drug or alcohol use among bisexual youth is 340 percent greater than the rate among straight teens. Among lesbian youth, the number rises to 400 percent.
LAMBDA, an advocacy association dedicated to improving the quality of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, says the effects of pressure and discrimination are not limited to alcohol and drug use. In the Youth Outreach section of its website, LAMBDA reports the following:
•A 1999 study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than are heterosexual teens.
•According to this same DHHS study, 30 percent of successful teen suicides are by gay, lesbian, or bisexual youths.
•An estimated 40 percent of street kids – many of whom turn to prostitution or other abusive situations after running away or being thrown out of their homes – are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
•Researchers have reported that more than one in four LGBT youth have severe drug or alcohol problems.
Cleabrook Treatment Centers understand the increased social pressure gay teens may face, especially when it come to drug and alcohol abuse. Clearbrook Treatment Centers established the Clearbrook Lodge to help combat adolescent drug use and abuse. Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
When to Seek Help if Your Child is Using
The earlier one seeks help for their teen's behavioral or drug problems, the better. How is a parent to know if their teen is experimenting with or moving more deeply into the drug culture? Above all, a parent must be a good and careful observer, particularly of the little details that make up a teen's life. Overall signs of dramatic change in appearance, friends, or physical health may be signs of trouble. If a parent believes his or her child may be drinking or using drugs, here are some things to watch for:
•Physical evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia
•Behavior problems and poor grades in school
•Emotional distancing, isolation, depression, or fatigue
•Change in friendships or extreme influence by peers
•Hostility, irritability, or change in level of cooperation around the house
•Lying or increased evasiveness about after school or weekend whereabouts
•Decrease in interest in personal appearance
•Physical changes such as bloodshot eyes, runny nose, frequent sore throats, rapid weight loss
•Changes in mood, eating, or sleeping patterns
•Dizziness and memory problems
Cleabrook Treatment Centers can help you determine if your child is in need of recovery. Because of the high-risk of adolescents using drugs, Cleabrook Treatment Centers have established the Clearbrook Lodge, designed to specifically deal with the issue of teen drug abuse. Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
•Physical evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia
•Behavior problems and poor grades in school
•Emotional distancing, isolation, depression, or fatigue
•Change in friendships or extreme influence by peers
•Hostility, irritability, or change in level of cooperation around the house
•Lying or increased evasiveness about after school or weekend whereabouts
•Decrease in interest in personal appearance
•Physical changes such as bloodshot eyes, runny nose, frequent sore throats, rapid weight loss
•Changes in mood, eating, or sleeping patterns
•Dizziness and memory problems
Cleabrook Treatment Centers can help you determine if your child is in need of recovery. Because of the high-risk of adolescents using drugs, Cleabrook Treatment Centers have established the Clearbrook Lodge, designed to specifically deal with the issue of teen drug abuse. Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
Why do Adolescents Use Drugs?
Being a teenager and raising a teenager are individually, and collectively, enormous challenges. For many teens, illicit substance use and abuse become part of the landscape of their teenage years. Although most adolescents who use drugs do not progress to become drug abusers, or drug addicts in adulthood, drug use in adolescence is a very risky proposition. Even small degrees of substance abuse (for example, alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants) can have negative consequences. Typically, school and relationships, notably family relationships, are among the life areas that are most influenced by drug use and abuse.
There is no single cause of adolescent drug problems. Drug abuse develops over time; it does not start as full-blown abuse or addiction. There are different pathways or routes to the development of a teen's drug problems. Some of the factors that may place teens at risk for developing drug problems include:
•insufficient parental supervision and monitoring
•lack of communication and interaction between parents and kids
•poorly defined and poorly communicated rules and expectations against drug use
•inconsistent and excessively severe discipline
•family conflict
•favorable parental attitudes toward adolescent alcohol and drug use, and parental alcoholism or drug use
It is important to also pay attention to individual risk factors. These include:
•high sensation seeking
•impulsiveness
•psychological distress
•difficulty maintaining emotional stability
•perceptions of extensive use by peers
•perceived low harmfulness to use
Clearbrook Treatment Centers understand the difficulty in dealing with chemical dependency with your teenager. For this reason they have established the Cleabrook Lodge, to address the issue of adolescent drug addicition: Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
There is no single cause of adolescent drug problems. Drug abuse develops over time; it does not start as full-blown abuse or addiction. There are different pathways or routes to the development of a teen's drug problems. Some of the factors that may place teens at risk for developing drug problems include:
•insufficient parental supervision and monitoring
•lack of communication and interaction between parents and kids
•poorly defined and poorly communicated rules and expectations against drug use
•inconsistent and excessively severe discipline
•family conflict
•favorable parental attitudes toward adolescent alcohol and drug use, and parental alcoholism or drug use
It is important to also pay attention to individual risk factors. These include:
•high sensation seeking
•impulsiveness
•psychological distress
•difficulty maintaining emotional stability
•perceptions of extensive use by peers
•perceived low harmfulness to use
Clearbrook Treatment Centers understand the difficulty in dealing with chemical dependency with your teenager. For this reason they have established the Cleabrook Lodge, to address the issue of adolescent drug addicition: Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
Parents of Addicted Children
If you've just discovered that your child is drinking or doing drugs, the first thing you need to do is sit down, relax, and take time to breathe
We know it's a scary time, but you're in the right place. We'll help you plan and determine what to do — how to gather information, have productive conversations, set tighter limits, and bring in outside help
We're all familiar with the kid's trick of going to the other parent when one says no. There are similar issues with drug and alcohol use-you will certainly hear about it if your spouse has different attitudes. It's best for you and your spouse to sit down to come to a common stance on drug and alcohol use before you talk about the issue with your teen.
One of the questions you'll be sure to be asked is whether or not you have done drugs yourself. There are many responses if you experimented in the past. Today's drugs are much stronger than they were when you were young. You can say that you're sorry, and wish you had never tried drugs. Just don't let your teen manipulate you into a position where your response becomes a justification for them to use.
You've probably have found evidence that your teenager is using. But what will happen if your teen says it belongs to someone else? It's good to anticipate all the different ways your teenager might try to deny usage. But in any case, you should bring the subject up.
If you think this conversation will be uncomfortable for you, imagine how uncomfortable it will make your teenager. Be prepared for your teen to say things that will shock you, to flat-out deny even the most convincing evidence, accuse you of distrust, and more. It's a good idea to think about how you're going to handle these responses
It's very important that teens feels supported at all times by their parent. Be sure to let your child know that he or she can always count on you and come to you for support. Remind him that you are always there to offer guidance.
Clearbrook Treatment Centers specialize in helping adolescents who are chemcially dependent. They even have entire program devoted to the successful recovery of teens, called Clearbrook Lodge! Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
We know it's a scary time, but you're in the right place. We'll help you plan and determine what to do — how to gather information, have productive conversations, set tighter limits, and bring in outside help
We're all familiar with the kid's trick of going to the other parent when one says no. There are similar issues with drug and alcohol use-you will certainly hear about it if your spouse has different attitudes. It's best for you and your spouse to sit down to come to a common stance on drug and alcohol use before you talk about the issue with your teen.
One of the questions you'll be sure to be asked is whether or not you have done drugs yourself. There are many responses if you experimented in the past. Today's drugs are much stronger than they were when you were young. You can say that you're sorry, and wish you had never tried drugs. Just don't let your teen manipulate you into a position where your response becomes a justification for them to use.
You've probably have found evidence that your teenager is using. But what will happen if your teen says it belongs to someone else? It's good to anticipate all the different ways your teenager might try to deny usage. But in any case, you should bring the subject up.
If you think this conversation will be uncomfortable for you, imagine how uncomfortable it will make your teenager. Be prepared for your teen to say things that will shock you, to flat-out deny even the most convincing evidence, accuse you of distrust, and more. It's a good idea to think about how you're going to handle these responses
It's very important that teens feels supported at all times by their parent. Be sure to let your child know that he or she can always count on you and come to you for support. Remind him that you are always there to offer guidance.
Clearbrook Treatment Centers specialize in helping adolescents who are chemcially dependent. They even have entire program devoted to the successful recovery of teens, called Clearbrook Lodge! Established specifically for adolescents, this 46-bed inpatient rehabilitation center is the beginning of what must be a continued effort to maintain a lifestyle and lifetime of sobriety. The 12 steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous are an integral part of the patient community’s daily activities and efforts.
Detoxification and Clearbrook Treatment Centers
The goal of drug detox is to rid the body of toxins accumulated by drug use. The first step of drug detox is drug withdrawal. The definition of withdrawal is "Discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance, and the physiological and mental readjustment that accompanies such discontinuation." Once an individual has discontinued using drugs, physical and behavioral withdrawal symptoms may follow.
The nature and severity of the withdrawal symptoms vary greatly depending on the particular drug or drugs that were being used as well as the frequency of use. These days there are few people who use one drug exclusively. It is very common to see individuals in drug detox that use alcohol and cocaine, or alcohol and prescription medications for example. Drug detox is a process that applies to any individual who is addicted to drugs. Detoxification helps diminish the uncomfortable symptoms of drug withdrawal.
Drug detox is performed in many different ways depending on where you decide to receive treatment. Most drug detox centers simply provide treatment to avoid physical withdrawal to alcohol & other drugs. Ideally, a trained detox facility will incorporate counseling and therapy during detox to help with the psychological distress that the individual may experience as well.
Detoxification should cover all aspects of the individual's withdrawal and purification from drugs. The removal of drug residuals is a key goal in drug detox. Without this process, drug residues can remain in ones body and cause cravings for years after drug use has ceased. A vital step in a successful drug detox as well as drug rehabilitation is flushing out these accumulated toxic residues so that the individual no longer experiences unwanted adverse effects from the drugs they have taken.
Cleabrook Treatment Centers use the following to address the problem of detoxification: each patient is monitored for withdrawal symptoms and is provided with medical assistance if needed. Clearbrook maintains a 15-bed detoxification unit. If a patient is experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms he or she will stay at this unit until a physician releases them. Upon completion of the detoxification phase, the patient will directly enter primary treatment.
The nature and severity of the withdrawal symptoms vary greatly depending on the particular drug or drugs that were being used as well as the frequency of use. These days there are few people who use one drug exclusively. It is very common to see individuals in drug detox that use alcohol and cocaine, or alcohol and prescription medications for example. Drug detox is a process that applies to any individual who is addicted to drugs. Detoxification helps diminish the uncomfortable symptoms of drug withdrawal.
Drug detox is performed in many different ways depending on where you decide to receive treatment. Most drug detox centers simply provide treatment to avoid physical withdrawal to alcohol & other drugs. Ideally, a trained detox facility will incorporate counseling and therapy during detox to help with the psychological distress that the individual may experience as well.
Detoxification should cover all aspects of the individual's withdrawal and purification from drugs. The removal of drug residuals is a key goal in drug detox. Without this process, drug residues can remain in ones body and cause cravings for years after drug use has ceased. A vital step in a successful drug detox as well as drug rehabilitation is flushing out these accumulated toxic residues so that the individual no longer experiences unwanted adverse effects from the drugs they have taken.
Cleabrook Treatment Centers use the following to address the problem of detoxification: each patient is monitored for withdrawal symptoms and is provided with medical assistance if needed. Clearbrook maintains a 15-bed detoxification unit. If a patient is experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms he or she will stay at this unit until a physician releases them. Upon completion of the detoxification phase, the patient will directly enter primary treatment.
What is Addiction Counseling?
Drug dependency has become a severe problem in most countries with millions addicted to substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol and others. In recent years, staggering information regarding the amount of drug use and abuse prevalent in society has raised much awareness about the problem; yet treating drug addiction has not received the same amount of press.
Many people who know someone with a drug or alcohol problem believe that some time in a rehabilitation centre will make all their problems go away and that the person will be cured following treatment. This is not the case, as drug addiction is not caused by the drugs; the problem lies within the addict.
Treating drug addiction has progressed from the way the problem was previously dealt with centuries ago. Exorcisms and imprisonment in state mental hospitals were the normal way of dealing with addicts before more was known about the disease. These days, drug addiction counselling is based on helping the addict deal with their underlying issues in a caring and supportive way and in a safe environment. Individual counselling as well as group therapy has proved to be the best method of treating drug addiction through the positive results yielded by the combination
An important part of recovery from any addiction is a daily programme of recovery for the addict to follow. Addiction is incurable and if left untreated will prove to be fatal, yet with a recovery programme which the addict applies themselves to daily, an addict can stay clean and sober for the rest of their life, one day at a time. No matter how much therapy and counselling an addict may receive, life will still present problems and uncomfortable feelings. If an addict is unable to process these feelings in an appropriate manner, they will not be able to maintain abstinence. Because addiction is a disease, it will not simply "go away" - it can be arrested and managed, but this takes effort and willingness on behalf of the addict in question.
Cleabrook offers programs for youths and adults that address the problem of chemical dependency. Their addiction counseling is as follows: individual and group with emphasis placed on current behavior. Counseling addresses the disease concept, its manifestations, and psychological and social complications. Reality-oriented, therapy is focused on the issues of denial, powerlessness, unmanageability, unrealistic thinking and other defense system tactics.
Many people who know someone with a drug or alcohol problem believe that some time in a rehabilitation centre will make all their problems go away and that the person will be cured following treatment. This is not the case, as drug addiction is not caused by the drugs; the problem lies within the addict.
Treating drug addiction has progressed from the way the problem was previously dealt with centuries ago. Exorcisms and imprisonment in state mental hospitals were the normal way of dealing with addicts before more was known about the disease. These days, drug addiction counselling is based on helping the addict deal with their underlying issues in a caring and supportive way and in a safe environment. Individual counselling as well as group therapy has proved to be the best method of treating drug addiction through the positive results yielded by the combination
An important part of recovery from any addiction is a daily programme of recovery for the addict to follow. Addiction is incurable and if left untreated will prove to be fatal, yet with a recovery programme which the addict applies themselves to daily, an addict can stay clean and sober for the rest of their life, one day at a time. No matter how much therapy and counselling an addict may receive, life will still present problems and uncomfortable feelings. If an addict is unable to process these feelings in an appropriate manner, they will not be able to maintain abstinence. Because addiction is a disease, it will not simply "go away" - it can be arrested and managed, but this takes effort and willingness on behalf of the addict in question.
Cleabrook offers programs for youths and adults that address the problem of chemical dependency. Their addiction counseling is as follows: individual and group with emphasis placed on current behavior. Counseling addresses the disease concept, its manifestations, and psychological and social complications. Reality-oriented, therapy is focused on the issues of denial, powerlessness, unmanageability, unrealistic thinking and other defense system tactics.
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