Category: Alternative Treatment

What is Ecstasy, and What are the Dangers for Teens?

Ecstasy: Dangers for Teens – Ecstasy, which was originally sold in a pill form, is actually MDMA and causes psychoactive effects. Today, ecstasy tends to be mixed with other drugs. Stimulants that may include amphetamine, ephedrine, and even caffeine. Ecstasy may also be mixed with hallucinogens, steroids, analgesics, or even common items like detergent or corn starch. While ecstasy alone is dangerous, when it is mixed with other unknown ingredients it can become even more deadly.

If you are not familiar with ecstasy then you should know it is not always easy to identify. Many of the pills look almost like candy that comes in many different colors. They often have small pictures or shapes stamped onto the side. The shapes are often identifiers as the source of the ecstasy. Though ecstasy is typically swallowed, people have been known to snort, smoke, or inject the drug into their veins.

Effects of Ecstasy

Ecstasy is considered a hallucinogenic drug, but it also has stimulant properties. It effects the central nervous system and the person may hallucinate and exhibit a great deal of energy. Users will also have feelings of mental and physical prowess while the feelings of hunger, pain, and fatigue are suppressed. This is followed by a sense of euphoria, extreme self-confidence, and lowered inhibitions. Their senses become very acute and it may seem easier to communicate and express emotions with others.

This is why people use ecstasy often, to feel comfortable around others and try new things without regard for safety or insecurities. Ecstasy often allows others to feel like they can be more open and empathetic for and with others. After the initial calm and euphoria that is felt, users move into a tired, irritable, depressed state that may include panic attacks and nightmares.

For those that use ecstasy often, they could experience weakness and weight loss. This drug can also cause dehydration and raise body temperature, as well as an irregular or rapid heart beat, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular problems. 

The problem with ecstasy is that tolerance is built up rapidly and it can become impossible for the euphoric effects to be felt. For some users a physical dependence can be created, but this is not as likely as with other drugs. It is rare for an ecstasy only dependence can be created, and this is why it’s certainly causes plenty of dangers for teens who often don’t consider consequences. 

Specific Dangers for Teens

Ecstasy, though once a very popular drug, is not quite as common today, but is still popular among teens. The problem is that teens enjoy the euphoric feelings and the lack of inhibition that is created. All self-consciousness is erased, even if just for a limited amount of time. Unfortunately, many teens do not understand that the pills can be laced with other ingredients or unknown drugs.

These are manufactured drugs that could be mixed with deadly chemicals with no way to tell. Long term use of the drug can lead to irreversible neuro toxicity of the brain, causing damage of memory loss that could be long term. Even short term use that involves a crash after the drug starts to wear off can lead to depression, hypothermia, and extreme paranoid behavior. This could lead the teen to take part in behaviors that are unsafe or lead to further use to regain euphoria.

Seek Help

If your teen is experimenting with ecstasy, or any drug, then seek help before the addiction gets out of control. DARA offers programs for teens or parents with a problem with ecstasy or any form of drug. If you or a loved one have a problem simply make the call and start receiving help as soon as possible.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment. 

Boot Camp For Kids With Marijuana Addiction: Can They Help?

Is Marijuana a Problem

Though marijuana use is becoming legal in some places, it is still mind altering and illegal for those who are underage. In today’s environment, teen substance abuse is at an all time high in terms of concern. It is well documented that those that start using any illegal drug at an young age are more likely to become full blown addicts during their lifetime. Marijuana use among teens falls just slightly behind alcohol use.

Though marijuana is not as dangerous as some harder drugs it can lead to the use of drugs that are more severe on the system. Once someone starts to use anything mind altering it can easily blossom into a habit. There is also the problem of marijuana being laced with other intoxicants that can create problems. Though some people feel that experimenting is perfectly normal. Any use can alter brain chemistry which is especially problematic for those with developing brains. Luckily, if you have a teen that has a problem with marijuana, there are programs that can help. One such program will be described below.

Consequences of Substance Abuse

For those that think experimenting is okay for a time knowing some of the consequences of experimentation may be helpful. Daily marijuana consumption can change the shape of the hipokampus in the brain, leading to lowered IQ and impaired memory. Habitual use even increases the risk of things such as schizophrenia and psychosis.

In a population that is already prone to anxiety and depression, marijuana makes the disorders both worse and three to four times more likely. Additionally, aggression and violence among those who use marijuana regularly are up to seven times as likely to take part in violent, criminal acts. These statistics are both scary and sobering. If you have a teenager that is already engaging in this type behavior, now is the time to seek help.

What to Do

If you are just learning of your teens marijuana use or addiction, then stay calm. Overreacting will actually cause more damage and can lead to increased use. This is a progressive disease and even if your teen promises to never use again or that they are stopping. Don’t take their word for it. Stay positive and alert, but seek professional help. Stay educated on the disorder and on addiction in general. This will help you understand what is happening throughout the process.

Boot Camp for Teens

There is a program designed mainly for teenagers that includes getting out into nature to and into a highly structured environment that will help your teen physically and mentally. In the military type camp, your teen will take part in activities that help improve physical condition, while offering the counseling that is needed to get back on track with life.

Views on Boot Camp

There are two very polarized views on boot camp for substance abuse and teens. Some feel the structure and focus on physical health is helpful for those who are spinning out of control. However, others find that boot camps are too harsh and simply make teens more likely to become violent and act out. If you are choosing boot camp for your teen, read the research and make a decision based on what you learn. Help is available in many forms. DARA offers an in-patient facility if boot camp is not the direction you wish to take.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

What are Alcopops

Alcopops are drinks that originated in Australia and quickly spread to the United States. These alcoholic drinks look and taste much like sweet drinks such as soda, lemonade, or even milkshakes. Though the drinks are targeted toward drinkers who are of age, but do not necessarily care for the taste of strong alcohol. Most who enjoy the drinks are younger or barely of legal age. Unfortunately, these type drinks also became widely popular with youth who are drinking underage.

It is not surprising that alcopops, a popular media term, became popular with younger drinkers because the labels are colorful and the alcohol content is around 3 to 8 percent. Additionally, the drinks do not taste strongly of alcohol. One study found that only about 65% of adolescents who tried alcopops could even tell alcohol was present. Even initial advertising for drinks termed as alcopops were targeted to a younger crowd, typically showing twenty somethings in trendy clothing having fun while enjoying being young with a drink in their hand. Alcopop advertising also tends to rely heavily on pop-culture references that are more relevant with a younger crowd. This means teenagers and kids are drawn to the advertising and then to the drink.

Why is This a Problem

Since alcopops are alcoholic drinks they are not meant for those who are underage. Sadly, these are the most common drinkers. One population largely affected are wealthy children who may want to appear cool, but are not overly familiar with the taste of alcohol. These alcopops allow the children and adolescents to drink without the strong flavor. Unfortunately, without the flavor, children do not realize how much they have drank in a single sitting and may easily become over intoxicated. It has been shown that those who become problem drinkers tended to start drinking before the age of 18, with those who began drinking before they were 15 being up to seven times as likely to develop a problem.

Additionally, due to a high alcohol content, the highly intoxicated children are much more likely to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, not realizing the level of intoxication. This is not only dangerous to the driver and passengers, but all those on the roadways. Those who are young and intoxicated are at a higher risk of irresponsible behaviors overall. They may engage in sexual activities without thought of protection, take other drugs, or just make overall bad decisions. It is also documented that the risk of suicide is higher for children who are under the influence.

It seems hopeless that drinks not meant for children are still marketed toward those of their age. Those kids with access to money to buy and share these drinks may be headed down a dangerous path that lands them in a rehabilitation facility later on, or the in the least, a need for one.

Help for Addicted Youth

If you or your child have an alcohol problem or one that is quickly developing, then seek help. It is better to get help early when possible. There are many rehabilitation facilities that can help, such as DARA. Your child deserves the best and it is just a phone call away.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Help For Alcohol Abuse Begins With A Phone Call – Let’s say you have found yourself in a situation where it’s an emergency that needs to be addressed with great urgency. What do you do? Perhaps, you call the emergency hotline. You’ve heard of cases where a phone call saved the life of a friend, family or loved one. Can you recall how a simple phone call got someone approved for a job? Informed someone of impending danger, or resolved daunting problems? Many amazing feats can be achieved with a phone call. Everyone can attest to the fact that phone calls go a long way in helping humans communicate faster, effectively and more efficiently. All these amazing things you know one simple phone call can do. Yet did you know that your freedom from alcohol abuse could also be just a simple phone call away?

Why make that Phone call?

If you are in the midst of an alcohol abuse crisis, or you’re acting on behalf of a friend or loved one struggling with alcohol abuse, the best step to initially take is making a phone call to a helpline in order to get in touch with someone experienced with alcohol abuse and dependency issues. There are a plethora of questions concerning drug and alcohol-related issues that can be addressed with a hotline call. The hotline staff serve as a link to help connect those in need with alcohol rehabilitation and recovery centers. Either locally, or anywhere across the country. If you plan to make this call, you can be rest assured that hotlines are staffed with compassionate and efficient individuals who are there to help. Hotline staff are usually friendly, helpful and will never judge you.

Are You Addicted to Alcohol?

Many people experiencing the ill effects of their drinking behavior don’t know for sure if they are addicted to alcohol or not. They are not sure if they need to see a professional and discuss their problems. This is among the many questions hotline staff can help you answer when you call. This alone is a good enough reason to give them a phone call. You don’t need to go and see a professional to ask these questions again. If you are asking yourself similar questions, chances are at the very least, you are experiencing some difficulties related to alcohol abuse. The first step to your freedom is to acknowledge your addiction.

A hotline call can provide some quick answers for those who have accepted that a problem exists, but are unsure of how to proceed in seeking treatment and those who are still questioning the seriousness of an alcohol problem. Information received from this call can help one make informed decisions about an existing alcohol abuse or dependency, and about seeking further help such as inpatient alcohol rehab.

Some of the signs of alcohol dependence include:

• Tolerance to the effects of alcohol
• Experiencing alcohol withdrawal syndrome
• A desire/inability to cut down on drinking behavior
• Continued use despite being aware of the problems it is causing.

Therefore, one or more of these occurrences could be a marker to knowing you are alcohol dependent. One may experience the devastating effects of alcohol abuse even without seeing all these signs. If you think you or a loved one might be in the cancerous tentacles of alcohol dependency and could use the help of a rehab or recovery center, call to discuss your available options.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Is Marijuana A Global Addiction? The term addiction is a terminological quagmire. However here we define it as an acquired chronic lapsing disorder that is characterized by a power motivation to continually engage in an activity, despite persistent negative consequences.

What is Marijuana and why is it responsible for global addiction?

Marijuana; also referred to as weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, mary jane and a vast number of other slang terms from around the world – is a greenish gray mixture of flowers and cannabis sativa. The main psychoactive (mind altering) chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC). It’s responsible for most of the intoxicating effects that people seek. This chemical masterminds the addictive nature of this plant – triggering a mass global addiction.

Despite some contentious discussions regarding the addictiveness of marijuana, the evidence clearly indicates that long term use of marijuana leads to addiction. Approximately 9 percent of those who experiment with marijuana will be addicted at a later stage. According to criteria for dependence in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4^th edition. This number goes up to about 1 to 6 percent among those who start using marijuana as teenagers, and 25 to 50 percent of those who smoke marijuana daily.

What can we say about the addictive effect of marijuana and it’s global addiction?

In the 1990’s the average THC in confiscated marijuana sample was roughly 3.5 percent. In 2014, it has risen to 12.2 percent, while the average marijuana extract contains more than 80 percent. These trends have raised concerns that the consequences of heavy marijuana use could be worse than in the past. Particularly among those who are new to marijuana, and also young children whose brains are still developing.

Marijuana is the second most frequently found substance in the body of drivers involved in fatal automobile accidents. The US drug enforcement administration also discovered that a large percentage of those arrested for crimes test positive for marijuana. 

According to the 2012 national survey on drug use and health, an estimated 27 million people aged 12 years and above met the criteria finding them highly dependent on marijuana. In 2014, more than 360,00 people were admitted to treatment for addiction, with marijuana being listed as the primary drug they were abusing. Case studies showed that they went to rehab due to the effect that Marijuana had on their bodies and minds. 28 percent of those admissions, totally to 103,000 people were between the ages of 12 and 17 years of age. 43 percent of those were under the age of 21. In 2016, it was estimated that 7.4 million of those addicted to illicit drugs found that the most common addiction was for marijuana. 4 million of those individuals were 12 years of age or older. Proving that marijuana addiction starts at a very young.

Are you suffering from Marijuana addiction or have a loved one who suffers from addiction? We are here to help.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Treatment Assessment.