Teens Are Never Compliant, But...

Compliance:
The simplest way I can define Compliance is to do what is suggested or asked of us, by someone wiser than us or a person we look up to; questions are ok. To follow ones request without question is more of a dictatorship.
In working with adolescence that are at risk (abusing substances, dealing drugs, or other negative behaviors)compliancy is crucial. While in treatment teens(and after) need to follow the rules and recommendations given by myself as their Chemical Dependency counselor or their therapist. The goal is that they begin to act accordingly in order to change their behaviors. Also, if they do follow the suggestions they will begin to feel better about themselves and less likely to go back to the harmful lifestyle. Encouraging them to ask questions helps empower them to begin to see the benefits and begin to self-monitor. I feel that compliancy is very valid in this area as well in my personal life.
On a personally level, compliance is important for my success. I have not always felt this way; in fact it was the exact opposite. Today I realize that the rules and structure are done for the safety of society. I may not agree with all of them but when I follow them my life stays somewhat peaceful. When my supervisor gives me direction I need to listen and put his words into action. I may ask the question but ultimately he is the supervisor and I am there to learn from him. Just like I try and teach the young adults I work with I try and live by the same code.

Brian Wildason

Marijuana Increases Risk of Depression for Teens

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.

Although marijuana use among teens has dropped by 25 percent since 2001, more teens use marijuana than all other illicit drugs combined. The new report, "Teen Marijuana Use Worsens Depression: An Analysis of Recent Data Shows 'Self-Medicating' Could Actually Make Things Worse," shows the following:

• 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.

The Thought Has Entered My Mind

The thought has entered my mind that an addict might not be constantly thinking about drugs, but rather in a certain moment they feel that they cannot live without it. You see, everyone has that one thing that they are addicted to. Whether it is work, gambling, shopping, pornography, sports, women, or merely superstition that controls them, everybody has something that they feel they either can't or won't live without. Almost everyday someone goes through a moment in time where they are a slave to a certain will or desire. For me it has never been drugs, but that doesn't mean that I don't have an addict's mentality sometimes. True, these slaves of mine will probably never land me in jail, cost massive amounts of money, or end with me in a pine box, but they could cost me in moral values, hinder my walk with Christ, or even take up my time. I do believe that the problems that we have now are the problems that we will have in our 50's. For some reason, I have never seen being a drug addict as just a problem. It has always been a foreign language to me until now. Working with these kids has opened my eyes to the plain and simple fact that they just have a problem, the same as me, you and everyone else on this planet.

Adam Byrd

How I Got Excited About Life

So I just celebrated two years of sobriety two days ago and it feels amazing. I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for my life today. Two years ago, my life revolved around getting that next high. To be quite honest, life was miserable. Today, I can honestly say that I am excited about my life.

Today, instead of being a slave to my addiction, I get to devote my life to helping other people find the happiness that I have found in recovery. I get to come to workat a teen treatment center and be a role model to teens struggling with drug and alcohol problems that are just like I was. I get to show them that it is possible to get clean at a young age and have an awesome life.

I look at life in a totally new perspective than ever before. I try to view everything as an opportunity for change rather than an obstacle or a tedious task. I get to appreciate everything in my life, even the simple things like the trees and clean water. I never even thought about those things. I took everything in life for granted. I always wanted everything handed to me on a silver platter. And, no matter what was handed to me, I was never happy. Nothing was ever enough. I now realize that everything in my life is a gift. And, without my sobriety I probably would have lost everything that I have.

Anyway, I am just so grateful for all the gifts that I have received through recovery. I am excited about life today. I have never been excited about life. I never knew a happiness like I have today. Life is truly beautiful.

Elizabeth M

Concert Tips for Teens

Concert Tips for Teens

Attending a concert, or “show” is a important part of many teenagers’ lives. Music can represent the center of teen culture, and concerts are often the only acceptable or available social activity. They can represent newfound freedom for a teen, and an opportunity for them to express their individuality. However, the thought of allowing their child to attend a concert, gives many parents serious anxiety. The thought of dropping their son or daughter off in a strange location, and leaving them to surrounded by crowds of weird looking strangers may seem dangerous. There are other fears too: about drugs, crowds out of control, exposure to sinister influences of young adults. But almost all parents these days probably have fond memories of their first concerts, and wouldn’t want to deprive their kids of the same experience, so when the day come that the bird needs to leave the nest for an outing into the counterculture, here are some tips to consider:
1. Have your teen go with one of their friends that you trust, or with a “cooler” family friend that they wouldn’t mind going to the show with. Having a friend with you at a concert is a must, especially one you can count on. Concerts can be overwhelming experiences for a new concert-goer, especially a large festival or arena show. It’s good to have a friend to rely on when things get intense.
2. If you are driving your son or daughter to the concert, make sure that you have an agreed upon and easy to find meeting place after the show. Make sure you have an agreed upon time as well, but know in advance that it will probably be late, and most concerts are not early bird affairs, and your teen is not going to want to leave early. Don’t count on being able to reach them on their cell phones, in the bustle of crowds it can be easy to loose items from pockets. You may also want to insist on driving them if you are concerned that they or their friends may be drinking or using drugs at the concert. It’s always better to have a drunk teenager in the backseat than behind the wheel.
3. Make sure that your teen is dressed appropriately. Many concerts are outdoors and expose concerts goers to sun all day and cool temperatures at night. Also “general admission” shows tend to generate a great deal of contact with strangers, and often have “pits” where the dancing can get boisterous. Good shoes are a must. Clothing that may seem “cute” at home may bring unwanted attention , or be uncomfortable while standing for long periods of time in a large group. Remind your teen that it’s a concert, not a dance or club.
4. Make sure that they eat and drink water before they go. Food and even water can be expensive at a concert, and often you won’t be able to leave your “spot” once you’ve secured it. It can get hot and sweaty in a good show, and it’s a good idea to have a full stomach and be well hydrated. Additionally, if your teen might need any prescription medication during the concert, such as an asthma inhaler, make sure they take it with them.
5. Check out the band and venue before you agree to let your child go to the concert. It may be a fairly mellow affair that you can gladly agree to, but you might not want your child to experience the “wall of death” at the Lamb of God show just yet. Check out live videos of your child’s favorite band or festival on youtube.com to get an idea of what to expect and take a look at the bands website as well before you say yes.
6. Use your common sense. If your gut tells you that the risks are too great, then put your foot down. The 3-day “world’s largest” rave, surrounded on the adverts with little dancing mushrooms probably isn’t the best place to drop off your child for the weekend. Although you will probably have to let go of some your judgments, because, yes, that probably is a tattoo on the lead singer’s neck and, no, I really can’t tell you why they dress like that, if you “got it”, then it probably wouldn’t be cool anyway.

Check out these links for more concert tips and discussions by parents of their experiences with concerts:

http://www.rockmed.org/Show-Tips/tips.htm

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/teens/concerts.html

Teen Drug Abuse Symptoms

A frightening number of teens today are using and abusing drugs. Parents need to be educated on the signs and symptoms of teen drug use in order to keep their teens safe. The two categories or teen drug abuse symptoms are physiological and behavioral.
Physiological:
-Sleeplessness
-Exhaustion
-Blackouts
-Flashbacks
-Red Eyes
-Glassy Eyes
-Dilated Pupils
-Pinned Pupils
-Runny Nose
-Cough
-Needle Marks
-Withdrawal Symptoms
-Increase or Loss in Appetite
-Weight Loss or Gain
-Poor Coordination
-Shakes or Tremors
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Sweating
-Hyperactivity
Behavioral:
-Extreme Change in Attitude
-Change of Friends
-Social Isolation
-Change or Loss of Interest in hobbies
-Slipping Grades
-Low Self Esteem
-Apathy
-Anger
-Paranoia
-Depression
-Secretive Behavior
-Dishonesty
-Unexplained need for money or stealing
One of these symptoms alone may not be a sign of teen drug use, but if a teen has several of these symptoms there is a strong change that the teen is using drugs. If parents are aware of the signs and symptoms of teen drug abuse it will make early detection easier and help prevent teens from slipping into teen drug addiction.