Alcoholic Parents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfUkYXHiB88

Here is a video about the effects having an alcoholc parent has on a child. While this blog is about teens and substance abuse, children obviously turn into teens and the effects become more pronounced.

Ecstasy

Blog #7 - November 4, 2009

Ecstasy, or MDMA (scientifically), is most famously known as the drug of choice at clubs or raves. Its effect of lowering inhibitions and causing users to get touchy-feely also gives it nicknames like the "love drug" or "hug drug." Young people turn to drugs, like ecstasy, to escape reality, as well as to fit in with their peers. Unfortunately, teens do not take the time, or perhaps have the maturity, to consider the repercussions of ecstasy, such as health and social concerns.

The accessibility factor with ecstasy is one of the major dangers. The Partnership for a Drug Free America found that approximately 22% of 7th through 12th graders find the drug easily obtainable. Although it may be within reach of almost one in four teens, what many do not realize is the purity of the pills they are buying could be extremely questionable. Ecstasy is a man-made substance in which other chemicals or drugs may be used to cut or lace the product. These other substances include amphetamines, caffeine, dextromethorphan (found in cough syrups), PCP, cocaine, or baby formula. Users have no way of knowing exactly what is going into their system and what potentially fatal drug interactions could occur.

While ecstasy is not a physically addictive drug, like methamphetamine or heroin, it can become psychologically addictive where users believe they need it to fit in or feel good about themselves. Ecstasy is similar to crack cocaine in the way that users will continue to use in the hopes of attaining a high like the one reached their first time using. The first high can be incredibly intense, but will never be repeated. Continued use or experimentation of ecstasy can have a negative effect on how the brain produces serotonin. This is particularly serious for young people because it regulates mood, memory, and learning.

The fact that ecstasy is usually used in the rave setting introduces even more issues. The effects of the drug allow users the stamina and desire to dance for hours in hot and crowded areas. The body temperature of the user can rise as high as 108 degrees, causing damage to internal organs. Additionally, dehydration can occur and some users end up drinking an extreme amount of water, even resulting in death.

Ecstasy, or MDMA, is within arm's reach to a great portion of teens today. The hard partying atmosphere is dangerous enough, but introducing a drug that lowers inhibitions and enhances sexuality is even more concerning. Aside from the potential damage to the brain and organs, teens may put themselves at risk for STDs or unwanted pregnancy. At a point in life when young people are still learning about themselves, how to make decisions, and how to be productive members of society, drugs like ecstasy only set roadblocks.

Sources:

http://www.hazelden.org/web/public/ade10226.page

http://www.sexetc.org/story/drugs/2110/

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_xtc1.php

Inhalants

Blog #6 - November 2, 2009

Inhalant abuse among teens is an alarming trend. "Huffing" or "sniffing" is becoming a more popular way for young people to achieve a high and escape reality. Teens use products including gasoline, glue, aerosol containers, whipped cream cans, cleaners, correctional fluid (Wite-Out), and spray paint. Sadly, few stop to consider exactly what is in these products and being introduced into their systems. Inhalant abuse is on the rise and poses serious health and safety risks to today's adolescent population.

Over 2 million teens will abuse inhalants at some point in their lives. In 2002, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health determined that approximately 2.6 million 12 to 17 year olds had used inhalants in the past. This finding was about half a million teens higher than two years prior. Compared to the 1990's teen drug abuse numbers are lower today, yet the teenage attitude toward inhalants is much more casual today. This is most likely due to the fact that the products that are inhaled are not illegal, but typically found in the average household or drug store.

The effects of inhalant abuse go far beyond the initial slurred speech, dizziness, or hallucinations one may experience within the first few minutes of their high. Some of the chemicals inhaled are absorbed and stored in the fatty tissues of the brain and central nervous system, one of which is myelin. Myelin is significant because it surrounds important neurons, which carry communication to and from the brain. Inhalants will initially slow down this communication, but long term can break down myelin. This effect is much like what multiple sclerosis patients experience, muscle spasms, tremors, and difficulty with walking, talking, or bending. Inhalant abuse also causes serious trauma and damage to the brain, including the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and ophthalmic nerve, the blood, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, muscle, and bone marrow.

Inhalants are more likely to be abused by younger teens because they can be found just about anywhere. Teens may feel like this is a "safer" method of drug use because the substances being used are not illegal. The Partnership for a Drug Free America did a study which found that teens who abuse inhalants are three times more likely to use other drugs as well. This information may cause one to consider that the areas of our anti-drug campaigns should not only focus on marijuana as a gateway drug, but that others are even more dangerous and easier to get a hold of.

Sources:

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_inhale2.php

http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/parenting/03/18/inhalant.abuse/index.html

http://www.inhalants.org/damage.htm

Anabolic Steroids

Blog #5 - October 28, 2009

In the scheme of drug use among teens steroids may seem insignificant. While the problem is more prevalent among males, the number of females using anabolic steroids is rising. In 2008, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that only about 1.4% of 8th and 10th graders and 2.2% of 12th graders had ever tried steroids. However, the severity of the short and long term effects of these drugs, as well as the dangers associated with the access and actual use of the drugs is not understood by teens. Adolescents can be blinded by the few positive effects of the use of anabolic steroids, such as muscle growth and loss of body fat, yet fail to look beyond the potentially lethal consequences.

Although there are many different kinds of steroids, anabolic steroids are most commonly abused by teens because of their ability to increase muscle mass. Anabolic steroids are prescribed by doctors to adults for certain medical conditions, such as anemia or body wasting in AIDS patients, or men who may not be producing enough testosterone. Normally, anabolic steroids would absolutely never be prescribed to teens because of the serious long term effects that accompany these substances. Teen bodies are going through serious periods of growth and development. Introducing even more testosterone causes hormone imbalances, with effects including serious changes in mood, memory, and learning ability. Other long term effects include high blood pressure, blood clotting, increased LDL (bad cholesterol), decreased HDL (good cholesterol), liver cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and severe acne.

The short term effects of anabolic steroids are just as serious and possibly even more alarming. For boys, effects include shrinking testicles, difficult urination, infertility, impotence, breast development, and hair loss. Girls may experience excessive body and facial hair, male-pattern baldness, loss of body fat and breasts, changes in menstruation, and deepening voice. One of the most serious and well known effects of anabolic steroid use is "roid rage," which is the uncontrollable aggression and agitation caused by the drugs. Anabolic steroids have the capacity to cause severe depression in some users. One example of this is Chris Benoit, a pro-wrestler, who was under the influence of anabolic steroids when he killed his wife, son, and ultimately himself. Roid rage causes a loss of impulse control and causes the individual to seriously overreact to situations that normally would not provoke such a response.

The teen years are a period of significant changes for both males and females. They are constantly experiencing hormonal changes, which are only exacerbated with steroid use. They may face pressures from coaches, parents, and peers in sports where steroids may feel like a quick and easy fix to get a leg up on the competition. And they are also experiencing relationships where the effects of roid rage may be serious. The accessibility to substances like anabolic steroids is scary with the ease of the internet. It is crucial for teens today to be educated about the potentially fatal consequences of substances they do not understand. Anabolic steroids are different from other drugs because they are not as highly publicized as marijuana or cocaine. While statistically steroids may not seem as serious of a problem for today's youth, the short and long term effects are equally, if not more, alarming than the other drugs teens are taught to stay away from.

Sources:
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_ster1.php
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/roid-rage-14-questions-and-answers
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug-information/commonly-abused-drugs/anabolic-steroids.aspx