A Visions Adolescent Treatment Center Alumni Shares Thanks

Returning to visions as alumni, I was anxiously, excited and
grateful. I was convinced that living so closely with thirty-five or more
young recovering alcoholics and addicts was going to be a challenge. I was
surprised to find something so very different. The positive peer culture was
unlike anything I have ever experienced. The amount of support and care for
each other was phenomenal. Being from out of state, coming to an event where
the majority of people live in L.A. I was welcomed with open arms. The fun I
had with everyone was a memorable experience and I am absolutely looking
forward to coming back next year. I thank God for Visions and the people
they introduced me to. I will be celebrating 1 year clean and sober this
weekend and the miracle that is my life all started at Visions.

Are you a Visions Adolescent Treatment Center Alumni? Do you have a story you would like to share with us? Please Do!

Are you a Food Addict?

Food addiction affects over 18 million Americans. Anorexia and bulimia are the most commonly known food addictions, but food addiction also includes compulsive overeating and binge dieting. Food can closely resemble a drug in many ways. Some brain imaging studies have even found that food affects the brain’s dopamine system in the same ways that drugs and alcohol does. People may also experience physical or emotional withdrawal from breaking food addictions in much of the same way as drug addiction. Sugar and caffeine can also offer a similar “pick-me up” as stimulants. Food addicts will often use drugs to soothe social situations or to “unwind”. This is probably where the term “comfort food” comes from. Some questions to ask yourself if you are concerned you mat have food addiction include:

• Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn’t?
  
• Do you think about your food or weight constantly?
  
• Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success?
  
• Do you binge and then “get rid of the binge” through vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or other forms of purging?
  
• Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people?
  
• Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight?
  
• Do you eat large quantities of food at one time?
  
• Is your weight problem due to your “nibbling” all day long?
  
• Do you eat to escape your feelings?
  
• Do you eat when your not hungry?
  
• Have you ever discarded food, only to retrieve it and eat it later?
  
• Do you eat in secret?
  
• Do you fast or severely restrict your food intake?
  
• Have you ever stolen other people’s food?
  
• Have you ever hidden food to make sure you have “enough”?
  
• Do you feel driven to exercise excessively to control you weight?
  
• Do you obsessively calculate the calories you’ve burned against the calories you’ve eaten?
  
• Do you frequently feel guilty or ashamed about what you’ve eaten?
  
• Are you waiting for your life to begin “when you lose the weight”?
  
• Do you feel hopeless about your relationship with food?
  

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may have, or are in danger of developing, a food addiction or eating disorder. In the most severe cases you may need to seek help in the form of a mental health professional or addiction treatment center.

Erin Brochovich fights Teen Drug Addiction

Visions Adolescent Treatment Center's John Lieberman shares the work of our Adolescent Treatment Program on ABC News. 

Famous for fighting for California families, Erin Brochovich is fighting for her own daughter's life. Featured on ABC News, Erin Brochovich and her daughter Elizabeth shared their battle with Elizabeth's addiction. At 17 Elizabeth was using both street drugs and prescription medication, cocaine and Zanax. Elizabeth first smoked pot at age 12. 

Watch Erin Brochovich Fights Teen Drug Addiction ABC News

Like many parents Erin didn't want to believe her daughter was lying. The signs which alerted her that something was definitely wrong were:

• grades dropping
  
• changes in sleep patterns
  
• defiant behavior
  
• lying
  
• lack of eye contact

Michael Phelps caught doing drugs!

Michael Phelps has won more gold medals than anyone in Olympic history. He admitted yesterday that he participated "regrettable" behavior that showed "bad judgment" after a photo of him smoking what appears to be marijuana from a bong was published over the weekend.

Marijuana is not seen as a competition enhancing drug so he will not likely face suspension or severe consequences from the Olympic Commission.
"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Phelps said in a statement released by Octagon, his management firm. "I'm 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public - it will not happen again."

The photo shows Phelps with his hat on backward "hitting" a bong at a college party. It is unclear the affects such a powerful role model will have on teens that look up to him. It obviously is not positive when one of the worlds most identifiable athletes is shown doing drugs, we'll just hope that his quick public apology and show of regret will help.