The effective treatment of adolescents with substance abuse and behavioral disorders requires an approach that includes attention to every aspect of a young person’s life. We see every individual as a whole being. In addition to fully understanding the emotional, developmental, physical, psychological, familial, social and cultural factors, there must be appropriate resources in place to address these issues. Need help? Contact Us Today! (866) 889-3665
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.
Can partying be more damaging to girls rather than boys?
Obviously "partying" can be detrimental to both males and females but there have been studies lately that suggest that females that party have more and higher risks than males. The apparent thing that I thought of when I heard this is that females are put at risk of rape or unwanted pregnancy, but as I have learned the risks go a lot further than this. Not only do females risk the possibility of rape or unwanted pregnancy, but they also have many physiological aspects that come into play. Research done at the Duke Medical Center suggests that females metabolize alcohol differently than males. The enzyme that breaks down alcohol works differently in males and females. This causes many different risk factors for females. They can get the same effects of alcohol with a smaller amount and in a shorter period of time than a male will get with a larger amount and a longer time period. Women also experience more impairment of cognitive function and judgment as well as experiencing more severe hangovers. "Body rot", a term that is used to describe the deterioration of the body due to using drugs or alcohol, occurs more rapidly in females. Women's brains, livers and other body parts become damaged quicker than a male's. A study showed that girls with shorter histories of drinking than their male counter parts experienced more memory loss and had more difficulty reading maps, solving puzzles and comprehending lectures or instructions. Brain function declines quicker in females due to the rapid loss of brain tissue and cells. As women experience more severe affects of alcohol than men, adolescent girls experience it worse than those that are over 21 years old, which is when the brain stops developing. Women can develop eating disorders, depression, stroke, cirrhosis of the liver and damage to the heart quicker from alcohol.
Let’s face it; we live in a world where there are numerous outlets for addictive personalities. One addiction is often replaced with another. Adolescents who stop using drugs often delve into other compulsions. They replace drugs with gambling, sex, cigarettes, Myspace, and yes, video game addiction. Case in point: I recently read an article about a 13 year old Italian boy who was rushed to the hospital for treatment of stroke-like symptoms. He was diagnosed with “PlayStation Addiction.” Apparently, after a marathon session of a game called Mega Man, the boy overdosed on the stimulation he experienced while playing the video game. When he returned from the hospital, he begged his father to throw the game console into the trash to avoid any future calamities. This story reminds me of the importance of structure in a teenager’s life. As parents, we need to set boundaries with our kids, because too much of anything can go terribly wrong.
Christina earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from San Diego State University. As Outreach Coordinator for Visions, she continues to build community relations in the treatment field. She also assists with the continued progress reports on Visions Alumni. Christina is currently a member of the Women's Association for Addiction Treatment and Membership Chair for the Orange County WAAT Chapter.
"I am honored and grateful to be a part of a team that provides a safe environment for adolescents to regain a voice, respect and the freedom to be seen as an accounted human being. We have all been adolescents and many of us discredited for our thoughts, so let's open the door of communication and listen to the ignored hurt and feelings of our youth. What we provide for our youth today will foreshadow the actions of our adults tomorrow." - Christina Howard, B.S., Outreach Coordinator
Parents must be alerted to the dangers of teen marijuana use. Identified as a "gateway drug" marijuana is also cited as a contributor to depression and other mental illnesses. The teen years are often characterized by moodiness and experimentation. Parents should not shrug the dangers of experimentation and be vigilant in their observations of their teen.
Warning signs include:
excessive moodiness
carelessness in grooming habits
change in friends
withdrawl from family
"Mental Health Awareness Month, shows a staggering two million teens felt depressed at some point during the past year, and depressed teens are more than twice as likely as non-depressed teens to have used marijuana during that same period."
Many teens turn to marijuana to self-medicate for feelings of depression. While the use of marijuana by teens has decreased marijuana remains the illegal drug of choice for many teens.
Teens who smoke marijuana at least once a month are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than non-users;
Using marijuana can cause depression and other mental illnesses;
The percentage of depressed teens is equal to the percentage of depressed adults, but depressed teens are more likely than depressed adults to use marijuana and other illicit drugs;
Teen girls who use marijuana daily are more likely to develop depression than girls who do not use marijuana;
Depressed teens are also more likely than non-depressed teens to engage in other risky behaviors such as daily cigarette use and heavy alcohol use.
Drug and alcohol use is like driving down a road at 100 miles an hour. Somehow we as a society have related using the following drugs: methamphetamine, cocaine, pot / marijuana, aderol, Oxycontin, xanax, vicoden, Ecstasy, acid, as recreational experimentation. However, no parent would say that driving 100 miles an hour is experimental driving. Parents call speeding dangerous, risky, stupid and not to mention expensive - potential costs involved if the minor is ticketed, for example. Using alcohol and drugs is always dangerous and is unfortunately many times combined with reckless driving.
Parents should take action in protecting adolescents form the dangerous decisions they make. Intervention, counseling, assessment, treatment, and drug testing are actions.
We live a world full of instant fixes and immediate responses. The idea that drug and alcohol abuse may be a life long battle to over come does not sit well. Substance abuse treatment is about connection, family and self discovery. Adolescents who use, cocaine, meth amphetamine, pot / marijuana, alcohol, zannix, adoral and a myriad of mind and mood altering chemicals are at high risk for: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, cutting / self harm, anger, violence, sexual abuse, disease, and destroyed education. If the focus for adolescent treatment is only symptoms continued abstinence is rare.
Adolescent chemical dependency treatment is a complex and challenging undertaking. Aggressive evidenced based therapies combined with a comprehensive multi modal 12 Step based approach, including intensive family work is key to success.
VISIONS ADOLESCENT TREATMENT CENTERS Personalized programs dedicated to helping youth and their families recover from the destructive effects of substance and other behavior related problems. (866) 889-3665
