Category: Articles

How Addiction Affects Children. What is Addiction?

How Addiction Affects Children – Addiction is a term that is thrown around commonly these days. Addiction is the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. In relation to drugs, addiction is the need or desire to use an illegal or legal substance to alter your mental state. This is related to prescription medications, illegal drugs, altering behaviors, and even legal substances used in the wrong way. Addiction alters every aspect of life. It takes control and your surroundings or behaviors are altered in order to feed the addiction.

Addiction also affects people, not just the addict, but their family, friends, and community as a whole. Addiction can alter both the good and bad parts of life, as well as everything in between. The good news is that addiction does not have to be a life long problem. If you or someone you know has an addiction then help is available. You deserve the best and DARA can offer to improve your life and help you beat addiction.

Parental Addiction

Drug addiction is problematic for anyone that is using. For those who are using and are also parents, the problem is even worse. When parents have substance abuse issues, it’s often the main cause how addiction affects children. Children of addicts are also at a much higher risk of using themselves. Both due to the genetic component of addictive behaviors and because they have seen the parents use over time.

Even if children do not start using, they are at a higher risk for abuse and neglect. Their parents addiction can lead to time spent using instead of caring for the children. Even lack of money due to paying for their habits. In relation to a higher chance of abuse and neglect, children of addicts are more likely to spend time in foster care. Even having the parent’s lose custody due to addiction.

Children Affected by their Parents Addiction

Even if you are home physically with the children, they can experience psychological or emotional absence when you are using. This may lead to other types of abuse or neglect. You may have even left your children with someone else who could have caused abuse. Though the children may not show the emotions as adults would, they are often left feeling scared, confused, worried, and saddened by a parent’s addiction. Addiction affects children who are in this situation may not have been taught proper self care growing up and may struggle with basic skills. Including social, grooming, and health skills.

Many children also display a distrust of authority figures or feel a need to be in control of everything to bring some normalcy into their lives. These behaviors may continue many years into adulthood. The child of an addict must often do whatever is necessary to learn to survive and these behaviors will need to be addressed by a professional.

Seeking Help

If you are a parent or even have a parent that is an addict, seek help. Rehabs are available to help addicts of all types and ages to stop using, but there are also organizations that help the children of addicts to address feelings and behaviors that may have come about due to parental addiction. There is no shame in asking for help, both you and your children deserve a better life.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Teens and Adderall Abuse: What is Adderall?

Teens and Adderall Abuse – Adderall is a prescription drug that is often used to treat ADD and ADHD. It is a potential stimulant. But for those with existing hyperactivity or concentration disorders, this medication can calm the brain and body to allow for concentration. However, Adderall has also become popular among students to use as a stimulant. People who abuse Adderall do so to enhance productivity and alertness. This drug is one that is not used by what may be considered common users. It is most commonly abused by those who are students or young professionals who desire extreme focus and alertness to increase drive and ambition. Even if someone is not a ‘typical’ user, they are a potential addict if abusing Adderall.

Signs of Adderall Abuse

Those who are using Adderall have pretty identifying characteristics. The most common is being overly talkative when they are not normally so. You may also note an unusual excitability paired with social withdrawal and secretive behaviors. A loss of appetite and sleeping for long periods of time after the effects of the drug wear off may occur. Aggression and financial troubles are also common. The financial troubles are typically noticed when using as the person may spend indiscriminately as part of the ‘high’ that is being felt.

Dangers of Adderall

 Many people feel like Adderall is safer because it is prescribed, but this is incorrect. Though Adderall is often prescribed for people with ADHD, including children, it is still a strong stimulant that can have negative and potentially deadly side effects. One of the worst side effects of Adderall is overdose. It can lead to stroke, heart attack, and liver failure very quickly. Mixing Adderall with other substances, like alcohol, heighten the risk of a fatal overdose.

Adderall can also cause brain changes in the brain’s neuro circuitry. Changes that lead to further altered behavior and mental disorders over time. Some Adderall addicts end up committing suicide after long term use. A few Adderall users have tried injecting it in order to achieve a stronger high, this can lead to a faster overdose.

Side Effects of Adderall

Adderall can have nasty side effects for users. These may include convulsions, paranoia, hallucinations, depression, and even irregular heartbeat. Some of this is due to insomnia, as Adderall allows the user to stay up for long periods of time without needing a break or food. Sexual dysfunction is also a common side effect.

Concerns with Teens and Adderall Abuse

Teen and young adult use of Adderall is common in order to deal with the stress and time constraints of studying and busy schedules. Those who abuse Adderall are more likely to also use marijuana, prescription pain relievers, and even cocaine and tranquilizers. To help curb teen use you need to make sure your teen knows how to manage time to complete necessary and desired activities while still getting enough sleep. Teens should also be warned of the dangers of Adderall and the fact that studies show that the use of Adderall does not increase studying ability or intelligence.

If you suspect your teen is already abusing Adderall then seek help. The addiction potential is high, especially when a prescription is not needed for that particular person. While Adderall does have its place for those with ADHD, an addiction can be fatal. DARA rehabilitation centers can help with any type of addiction, including those to prescription medications. Call for information or help if you suspect a problem exists.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

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.