In Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Our Staff Makes The Difference

Here at Visions Teen, We know that adolescent substance abusers differ from adults in many ways. Teen drug and alcohol use often stems from different causes, and they have even more trouble projecting the consequences of their use into the future. In teen addiction treatment, these adolescents must be approached differently than adults because of their unique developmental issues, differences in teen values and teen belief systems, and environmental considerations (e.g., strong peer influences). The use of substances may also compromise an adolescent's mental and emotional development from youth to adulthood because substance use interferes with how people approach and experience interactions we understand, and are ready to help.

Reckless Advertising Directed At Teens

Reckless Advertising

Are teens targeted by advertising campaigns for tobacco and alcohol products? The simple answer is: There is no simple answer. Advertisements are designed to have mass appeal. They find a way to target a broad audience. Their specific demographic may be young, adult men, but they may also appeal to adolescent males who want to feel more “grown-up.” In this sense, the advertisement is indirectly targeting a teen-aged audience. The lifestyle of the smoker/drinker is glamorized in the commercial. It seems like robotic think, but it works: If I drink that brand of beer I too can be the “World’s Most Interesting Man.” If I smoke those cigarettes, I too can be a “Marlboro Man.” Adolescents are trying to fit in and are easily influenced by images. Couple that with raging hormones, and it’s no wonder that advertising companies use sex to sell their products. Think about all of the products that are out there that have teen appeal. You have fruit-flavored cigars and energy drinks with an alcoholic kick. They throw out names for their products like Joose, Sparks, and Tilt all wrapped up in colorful packages, attracting both the palate but the eye. So, yes, teens are targeted by advertising for alcohol and tobacco. The companies have to know the audience they are reaching and must realize that they are planting a seed for future consumers.

Teen Drinking Problems Illicit New Laws in Orange County

Today in the Orange County Register a new law is under consideration to discourage the rampant teen drinking problem. If Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills adopt this ordinance they will be the first cities in Orange County to implement this new law.

More cities cracking down on parents allowing teen boozing
City councils in Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills might be county's first to impose new law to fight underage drinking.

"With the prom season under way and neighborhoods under siege with drunken teens, public urination and violence, city officials in two South County cities hope a new law could crash these out-of-control parties.

In Mission Viejo, the City Council voted last week to draft a new ordinance and will consider it at Monday night's meeting. Proposed by Mayor Trish Kelley, the social host underage drinking ordinance would hold adults accountable for teen drinking and could result in $1,000 fines. It could also require adults to pay for law enforcement response costs as well as costs associated with repeated calls to the same address."

The "Social Host Ordinance" is aimed at reducing the venues teens have for consuming alcohol by creating steep fees in hope of increasing adult supervision and accountability for teen drinking on personal property.

Local communities have witnessed increase in alcohol related property damage, driving related arrests, injuries and public disturbances.

"Since May 2007, Mission Viejo deputies have responded to reports of 1,325 loud parties. A good percentage of these have involved teens, said sheriff's Lt. Steve Bernardi, chief of police services for the city. In 2007 there were 18 crashes in which underage drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Ten people were injured, and in 11 cases, juveniles told deputies they had been drinking at a party, at a friend's house or at home."

I’ve Found My Place

I’ve Found My Place

All my life, all I ever wanted was to feel like I fit in. I always felt as if I was on the outside looking in. I never felt like I belonged. When I was a teenager at fifteen, I got high on drugs for the first time, and finally felt like I fit. I felt comfortable in my own skin and felt a sense of belonging. The only problem was that the high only lasted for so long. And, when t came to an end, I craved more; more of that sense of belonging. So, for the next 5 years, that is what I did, I chased that feeling by drinking alcohol and using drugs. No matter what, it was never enough because the feeling was not genuine. I needed an illicit drug or pharmaceuticals to produce it for me because I did not know that what I needed was to start to love myself.

Now that I have been sober for a couple years, have worked the 12 steps, and practice the principles of the program in my life, I have finally found my place in the world. I finally feel like I fit. It has definitely been a long and strenuous journey, but it gets better each day. I no longer need a drug to make me feel ok; I can be ok on my own. And, my newfound sense of belonging is no longer temporary. It will be with me as long as I remain in contact with my higher power and stay connected in Alcoholics Anonymous.

If feels good to love who I am today. My life is far greater than I ever imagined it would be.

Elizabeth M