Nearly Half of U.S. Teens Smoke, Drink Alcohol, or Use Drugs

Nearly Half of U.S. Teens Smoke, Drink Alcohol, or Use Drugs

Teen drug and alcohol abuse may be a bigger problem than anyone could have thought. It is generally an accepted fact that teens will experiment, more likely than not, before they leave high school. A new report has determined that nearly half of all American high school students smoke, drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs; one in four who started using these substances before they turn 18 may become addicts. The new report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University in New York City, concluded that one-quarter of people in the U.S. who start using drugs or alcohol before age 18 meet the criteria for drug or alcohol addiction, compared with one of 25 Americans who started using drugs or alcohol when they were 21 or older.

According to information cited in the new report:

• Ten million or 75% of high school students have tried tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine; and one in five of them meet the medical criteria for addiction.
• Of the 6.1 million or 46% of high school students who currently use addictive substances, one in three is addicted to these substances.
• The most common drug of choice among high school students in the U.S. is alcohol, followed by cigarettes and marijuana.

The data collected is based on surveys of:

• 1,000 high school students
• 1,000 parents of high school students
• 500 school officers
• expert interviews
• focus groups
• a literature review of 2,000 scientific articles and an analysis of seven data sets

“I was surprised at the prevalence of substance use disorders among young people,” says study author Susan E. Foster, CASA’s vice president and director of policy research and analysis. The new study opens a window of opportunity for providers and parents to intervene and prevent addiction, she says.

“Do everything you can to get young people through their teen years without using drugs or alcohol,” she says. “Every year they don’t use drugs or alcohol reduces their risk of negative consequences, such as addiction.”

Source:
MedicalNewsToday

Methamphetamine May Have Long Lasting Side Effects

From:
WHITESIDE MANOR BLOG
TOPICAL INFORMATION ABOUT ADDICTION AND RECOVERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY WHITESIDE MANOR IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
http://blog.whitesidemanor.com/

Methamphetamine May Have Long Lasting Side Effects
Methamphetamine, arguably the worst drug ever created by man, may have long lasting side effects that no one could have ever imagined. Meth abuse is still a relatively new problem in the timeline of addiction history, clearly as more research is conducted on the drug the more horrors are coming to the surface regarding the long term effects associated with the drug. This epidemic has sparked a worldwide campaign to understand and rid the world of the terrors this drug unleashes on entire communities. New research suggests that methamphetamine and stimulants like it may cause Parkinson’s disease.


Three groups were researched by scientists conducting the study.
40,000 people hospitalized because of abuse of methamphetamines or amphetamines
207,000 people not addicted to drugs who were admitted to the hospital for appendicitis
35,000 people admitted for cocaine-use disorders

Patients with methamphetamine or amphetamine-use disorders were found to be 76 percent more likely than the other two groups for developing Parkinson’s disease, HealthDay reports.
21 out of 10,000 people with methamphetamine or amphetamine dependence develop Parkinson’s over 10 years
12 out of 10,000 people without this drug dependence

“This study provides evidence of this association for the first time, even though it has been suspected for 30 years, according to lead researcher Dr. Russell Callaghan from the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Dr. Callaghan said that Parkinson’s disease is a result of low levels of the chemical dopamine in the brain; animal studies have shown researchers that methamphetamine damages the brain’s dopamine-producing regions.

The study pointed out that people using ADHD medication as prescribed may not fall into the same category due to the fact that the dose they are taking is minimal.

The study appears in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

ARE YOU IN CALIFORNIA, AND IN NEED OF A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT HOME? WHITESIDE MANOR IN RIVERSIDE, CA

Riverside County, Southern CA Residential Treatment

Established in 1972, Whiteside Manor has been offering help for anyone whose lives are impacted by the disease process of addiction and alcoholism. Located in Riverside, California, our homes are primarily near historic downtown and the Mission Inn.
California Drug Treatment & Alcoholism Rehab Overview

Whiteside Manor’s drug and alcohol treatment program can help you or someone you care about discover a new way to live without drugs or alcohol. Our facilities provide a safe place to live, learn, heal and recover from the traumatic effects drug addiction and alcoholism have on both the individual and the entire family. We provide extensive exposure to recovery principals, and work to remove barriers that may prevent acceptance of those principles. This is accomplished in a warm, peer oriented environment, guided by compassionate, professional staff.

Drug addiction and alcoholism are chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal diseases. To address the devastating impact of alcoholism and drug addiction on all facets of life, we offer several levels of care. From Medically Supervised Detoxification, Residential Treatment to Out-Patient Treatment and Sober Living, Whiteside Manor provides supportive, substance-free environments with varying amounts of structure. All of our programs maintain licensure and certification from the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs with accreditation by CARF. For individuals whose recovery from addiction is complicated by a co-existing psychiatric problem, Whiteside Manor also offers Dual Diagnosis Treatment.

California "Quality of Care" Addiction Treatment and Recovery| Men and Women's Addiction Recovery Programs

Whiteside Manor offers several affordable California drug and alcohol
treatment programs for men and women are known for their attention to
"Quality of Care" to help you or your loved ones in recovering from
addiction. Our men and women's programs are designed to get our
clients back into leading a healthy and natural lifestyle without the
presence of drugs or alcohol.
Our ultimate goal is for the program to provide long-term abstinence
from drugs and alcohol for our clients. Our clients are educated and
treated so that they may re-enter society and lead responsible,
successful drug and alcohol free lives by using the tools of recovery.

We recognize and fulfill each person’s needs by helping them attain a
thorough understanding of themselves and the recovery process while
providing a safe, supportive environment.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Many people in all walks of life experience drug and alcohol problems
that limit their ability to fully enjoy life and also harm their family and
friends.
People are reluctant to address these difficulties even with their closest
friends and family members. Many times they are not even aware that
the problems exist or do not recognize the symptoms. Here at Whiteside
Manor, trained drug and alcohol intervention staff are available.

Whiteside Manor Mission Statement
Our addiction treatment mission is to rebuild lives, restore families and improve communities. This is accomplished by providing quality, individualized and comprehensive addiction treatment for those experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs and associated mental illnesses. We are committed to excellence in the delivery of care and services to our recovering clients and their families.