Prescription drug abuse continues to be a problem among the youth of our country. Teens are using the drugs for a variety of reasons, but they fail to see the seriousness of the problem.

Adolescents abuse prescription drugs more than just about any other substance. “For adolescents, prescription drugs are second only to marijuana as the most popular form of illegal drug use,” says Steven Ungerleider, PhD., founding editor of The Prevention Researcher. “With 22% of high school seniors reporting that they have used nonmedical prescription drugs sometime in their lives, abuse of these drugs is a growing concern for parents and many professionals who work with youth.” (1)

Entertainment

There are different reasons why teens abuse different prescription drugs. Some are taken purely for entertainment or to help them enjoy a party more. These prescription pills float around from student to student, sometimes without the user even knowing what they are taking. Pill parties are get-togethers where adolescents bring whatever drugs they could get from home or a relative’s house, and take turns popping the pills and exploring the effects.

Performance Enhancement

Other teens have begun taking prescription drugs to enhance their performance at school. Medications that help people focus or increase energy so a student can stay up all night to study are the most commonly abused. Often with these kinds of drugs, students don’t even see that it is wrong, because they see it helping out for a good purpose.

Meeting a Need

Still other teens take antidepressants, sleep aids, or anti-anxiety medication without a prescription to help with these kinds of mental health issues. While these teens may be in need of a real prescription because they do have a condition that warrants it, taking the drugs without a prescription is illegal and it can be harmful.

Dangerous and Illegal

Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem. Drugs can have fatal side effects, especially if taken in combination with other drugs or alcohol. Other drugs are so addicting that by abusing them when they are young, adolescents are setting themselves up for a life of addiction.

Because prescription medications come from a doctor, many adolescents still do not believe that taking them is wrong. Prescription drugs seem like a harmless way to have fun or to solve a little problem, and because of the great number of teens abusing these drugs and the ease with which the pills can be acquired, many don’t see it as wrong or dangerous. We need to get the message out to our young people that prescription drug abuse is dangerous. The researchers at The Prevention Researcher conclude that “it is imperative that service professionals who work with adolescent populations be aware of this emerging and serious issue. Clearly, any substance use prevention programs that target adolescents must include information on nonmedical prescription drug use.” (1)

Sources

(1) New Resources for Prevention of Adolescent Prescription Drug Abuse

The Partnership at Drugfree.org Collaborates With Award-Winning TV Personality and Celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern

The Prevention Researcher

We know that parents have great influence over their teen when it comes to experimenting with drugs or alcohol. New research suggests that teenage brains can actually form differently, based on the  drinking behavior of their parents. This helps to explain a little more about why some adolescents are at greater risk for alcohol abuse.

Prevention Talks

Parents today are learning how important it is for them to talk to their teen about substance abuse. Adolescents whose parents have ongoing conversations with them about not trying drugs or alcohol are up to 50% less likely to try these substances. Prevention definitely starts at home, and parents can make a conscious decision to be the first and most important step in prevention.

Role Models

The example parents set also affects an adolescent. Kids who grow up watching their parents abuse alcohol are more likely to abuse alcohol themselves at a younger age. Adolescents learn behaviors from their parents and, good or bad, will start following the example set for them.

The latest study, which is published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, looked at the brain chemistry of teens in order to further understand the impact of parental influence. The small study out of Oregon performed MRI scans on adolescents who had no previous experience with drinking, but who were children of alcoholics. They found differences in the areas of the brain that control decision-making compared to teens with no family history of alcoholism. These young people showed weaker development in the decision-making areas of the brain, possibly putting them at risk for making poor choices with regards to drinking in the future.

Bonnie J. Nagel, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University concluded, “Therefore, differences in brain activity may impact the ability of individuals family history of alcoholism to make good decisions in many contexts, and in particular may facilitate poor decision-making in regards to alcohol use. Taken together with other studies on youth family history of alcoholism, these results suggest that atypical brain structure and function exist prior to any substance use, and may contribute to an increased vulnerability for alcoholism in these individuals.” (1)

This study only helps reiterate the important role parents play in keeping their children away from drugs and alcohol. Parents should first of all talk to their children regularly about the dangers of alcohol abuse. Secondly, parents need to set a good example for their teen by drinking responsibly. If a parent’s drinking is out of control, they should seek help right away in order to provide their child with the best chance at living a sober life.

Sources

(1) Familial alcoholism affects teen brains

Teenagers with alcoholic parents more likely to have impulsive and addictive personalities

Parental Alcoholism Linked to Brain Changes in Kids

We want to thank Dr. James DiReda for offering another excellent guest post for us! Dr. DiReda has over twenty years experience working with individuals, families, and organizations to address alcohol, drug, and mental health issues. He holds a dual Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Work from Boston University. He is currently Director of Counseling and teaches at Clark University in Worcester, MA.

The Beast We Call Progression

Within the self-help network, the treatment delivery system, and prevention world, addiction is known as a “life-threatening progressive condition” that worsens if it goes untreated. We hear about it, and read about it all the time. However, when it looks you in the eye it becomes so much more real. I attended a function last night, and while there, saw a former client of mine who had “dropped out” of treatment somewhat abruptly about a year ago. When I met him he was employed at a long-held job, had a very charming young wife, and a newborn baby son.

I’ll call this client “Nick,” although not his real name. So Nick came to see me because he was struggling with a Percodan habit that he just couldn’t manage any longer. It was starting to cause real problems for him at his job, at home, financially, and internally. He was caught up in the obsessive aspect of addiction, and couldn’t seem to break free from it.

It clouded and tainted everything good in his life, and he wanted to stop. Ironically, he was one of those individuals that didn’t present with a long history of drug use that grew into a dependence on prescription pain meds. He had injured his back and was prescribed Percodan to alleviate his pain. It doesn’t take long to become addicted to a drug as strong as Percodan, and he was no exception. It soon consumed him and every waking moment of his life was spent thinking about getting more. He was addicted. So I saw him for about six months, and tried to help him to stop using the drug, which he could never seem to do. He could “white-knuckle” out a day or possibly two, but he always relapsed, until he finally disappeared.

Seeing him last night was a total surprise, but felt good. During our conversation he laid out his “progression,” which sounded almost textbook to me. We went right down the line as I asked him about work, he lost the job; wife, she had thrown him out; newborn, he sees him as his former wife allows; living arrangement, he’s back living with Mom and broke. So, that sums up the “progression” of addiction for anyone wondering what that term means.

Basically, it means that a person’s drug or alcohol use will wipe out anything good or positive in that person’s life if their condition goes untreated. Interestingly enough though, Nick had never told me about alcohol being a problem for him while I was seeing him, but last night he told me that he had pretty much stopped using the Percodan but couldn’t stop drinking and relapsing with alcohol. He also said that alcohol had pretty much always been a problem for him, but he never realized it until he quit the prescription drugs and went “crazy” with the drinking.

Nick’s story emphasizes the importance of us being aware that addiction is addiction, and whether it’s addiction to alcohol or Percodan or Cocaine, it is still a “life-threatening, progressive condition” that, if goes untreated, will worsen and take everything a person is willing to give, including their life.

Methamphetamine is one of those drugs that is truly addicting and it truly changes its user’s appearance and brain function. Many people who experiment with this drug just once or twice end up hopelessly addicted, ruining their lives and sometimes the lives of others as well.

Horrible Attacks

Story after story has come out in recent years about brutal murders and unreal attacks, all caused by delusional meth users. Mothers killing children, a boyfriend beating a girlfriend to death with a hammer, a woman drowning her baby in a washing machine; all these people were high on meth when they committed these unthinkable crimes.

Going beyond typical murder, these cases show extreme violence and torture. “When you get this type of tragedy, it’s not a surprise that drugs were involved,” said Lt. Mark Salazar, the Fresno Police Department’s homicide commander who investigated the latest of these crimes. “Meth has been a factor in other violent crimes.” (1) The National Drug Intelligence Center claims that meth is a top contributor to crimes and thefts. “It drives more crime than other drugs do. Meth is in its own category, because it’s so much more addictive than other drugs,” said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims. (1)

Meth in California

California has an especially high rate of meth production, much of it taking place on agricultural land run by Mexican drug lords. These “super labs” are controlled by Mexican traffickers who distribute their goods all across the country. According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Intelligence Center, from 2009 to 2010 methamphetamine busts in the Central Valley more than tripled to 1,094 kilograms, or more than 2,400 pounds. (1)

Psychosis for Meth Users

Meth, which has been called the poor man’s cocaine, is extremely addicting. It gives users a feeling of euphoria and confidence, but after a short time the meth alters the addict’s brain chemistry. They become psychotic, hearing voices and hallucinating. In severe cases, like the violent murders, meth addicts have exhibited schizophrenia-like behavior.

“Once people who are on meth become psychotic, they are very dangerous,” said Dr. Alex Stalcup, who researches meth and works with addicts in California. “They’re completely bonkers; they’re nuts. We’re talking about very extreme alterations of normal brain function. Once someone becomes triggered to violence, there aren’t any limits or boundaries.” (1)

Meth addiction has been called the biggest drug threat in Central Valley, California, and authorities are working to crack down on both users and distributers. However, the size of many of these operations will make it a difficult problem to manage. It will take the combined efforts of the government, law enforcement, treatment professionals, and family and friends of users to make a difference. 

Sources

(1) Horrific murder no surprise in U.S. meth capital

Sacramento man sentenced for murder with hammer

Meth law tightens restrictions on sale of key ingredients

Some areas of the country are experiencing freezing temperatures for the first time this season. What has been mild weather for many has turned into sub-zero temperatures this week, and it has left many people trying to find ways to stay warm, including taking some risks with alcohol.

Alcohol Makes Us Feel Warm

Drinking alcohol gives us a warm, tingly feeling. Some people feel it after the first glass, while others require a little more to feel it. So then, naturally, many people are under the impression that alcohol warms your body temperature. What better way to warm up on a cold winter night than to gather around the fireplace with a hot toddy? People have been using this line of thinking for centuries, as St. Bernard dogs used to carry brandy in their collars to rescue and warm travelers in the Alps. According to doctors and scientists, however, drinking alcohol is not necessarily a safe way to get warm.

Losing Heat More Quickly

Alcohol makes us feel hot because it causes our blood vessels to dilate. The blood comes closer to the surface of our skin, which makes us feel warm. However, this also brings the person’s body heat away from their core and closer to the surface, causing heat to evaporate off the skin more quickly. The result is a cooler body temperature in the long run.

Slowed Circulation

Alcohol is a depressant which means it slows down our entire system. It slows down circulation, which prevents oxygen from getting to the brain. This is why people die suddenly from drinking too much alcohol; their breathing becomes suppressed, their circulation slowed, and their brain becomes starved of oxygen.

A slower circulatory system also means that the blood is kept from making it to and warming extremities. In cold weather, we want to keep as much blood pumping to our hands and feet as possible in order to prevent frostbite and damage to our extremities.

In any cold weather, a person who drinks alcohol will feel warm at first, but before long will cool off quickly. They may notice that their hands and feet get especially cold. In extreme cold, people are advised not to drink alcohol, as it can slow circulation and cool the body enough to cause serious damage.

Impaired Judgment

Alcohol also impairs judgment. A person consuming alcohol in freezing cold temperatures might be led to make some poor choices. More than one drinker has found themselves out in the elements, unprotected, or breaking through an icy lake because they lost control of their actions.

In moderation, alcohol can be consumed safely, even in cold situations. Always be careful, though, about the effect alcohol has on your body and mental capacity.

Sources

5 Drinking Myths That Can Kill You

Frostbite safety

The Circulation System and Alcohol: A Sinking Ship

MYTH: Will Drinking Alcohol Help You Feel Warmer?

Despite the combined efforts of federal and local governments, doctors, and drug prevention advocates, prescription drug abuse continues to rise. The problem has been named a top priority for the White House’s drug control strategy, and states and municipalities have taken steps to control the sale of prescription drugs, as well as encourage treatment for those who are addicted.

2012 National Rx Drug Abuse Summit

The National Rx Drug Abuse Summit will be held in a few months to discuss understanding and cooperation between authorities, lawmakers, physicians, and advocates to battle this epidemic. It is fitting that the conference is being held in Florida, deemed to be the prescription drug capital of the world with its numerous pill mills and pain clinics, many of which have been shut down or monitored more closely in recent months. “Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses impacts every American, not only through the devastating personal toll exacted on individuals and their families, but on an economic level as well,” said Karen Kelly, president/CEO of Operation UNITE. “This Summit encourages proactive dialogue with national experts to identify data-driven policies and solutions.” (1)

Partnership Between UNITE and ARC

The conference is being organized by UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education) and ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) and will feature speakers such as Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the NIDA.  “Mr. Kerlikowske is very aware of the devastating impacts of prescription drug abuse and diversion,” said Karen Kelly, president and chief executive officer of Operation UNITE. (2) “We are excited that Dr. Volkow will share her expertise during the Summit,” Kelly said. “She is a highly-regarded professional whose work has engaged the entire health care system to seek appropriate responses and effective treatments for addiction.” (1)

Bringing People Together for Solutions

The conference, scheduled for April 10-12, will bring together legislators, healthcare practitioners, law enforcement, substance abuse counselors, pharmaceutical executives, researchers, and advocates working to create awareness all for a common goal. It is expected to be an instrumental tool in the fight against prescription drug abuse. As Congressman Hal Rogers, Chair, House Appropriations Committee said, “We cannot afford to ignore the fast-growing drug problem in America. It impacts everything from medical expenses to workforce viability and it requires a multi-faceted approach with support, from not only state and national leaders, but also leaders on the ground in our rural and urban communities. This first of its kind Summit will get all parties together to address this issue.” (3)

Sources

(1) ARC, UNITE take part in drug summit

(2) Drug czar to speak at prescription abuse summit in April

(3) National RX Drug Abuse Summit

A summary of global drug abuse statistics was released by Australian researchers last week. The report shows the estimated numbers of drug abusers in various areas of the world, and finds that wealthier, more advanced countries are more at risk. Among the study’s findings are estimates of illicit drug abuse throughout the world:

• Between 149 million and 271 million people worldwide used an illicit drug at least once in 2009; which equals 1 in 20 people aged 15 to 64 who have used an illegal drug. (1)
• In North America, nearly 11% of the population aged 15 to 64 used cannabis in 2009. (1)
• Between 14 million and 56 million people aged 15 to 64 worldwide used amphetamine-type stimulants, such as speed and crystal meth. (1)
• Cocaine use was highest in North America in 2009, and it had 14 million to 21 million users worldwide. (1)
• Opioid use, including heroin, had an estimated 12 million to 21 million users globally. The highest rates of use were in the Near and Middle East, where up to 1.4% of the population aged 15 to 64 had tried the drug at least once in 2009. (1)
• There are between 11 million and 21 million people who inject drugs worldwide. (2)

More Drug Abuse in Wealthy Countries

Much of the drug abuse around the world can be found in the wealthiest and most developed countries. This is possibly because residents have more access to drugs, or have the means to buy drugs, or maybe because people in these countries are of the mindset that they deserve what makes them feel the best. The study “serves to confirm something addiction experts have known for some time — that the extent of illicit drug use and abuse in developed countries like the United States has reached epidemic proportions,” said Dr. Jeffrey T. Parsons, a professor in the department of psychology at Hunter College, in New York City. (2)

Prescription Drug Abuse

Countries like the U.S. have other things to worry about also, besides illicit drugs. Legal prescription painkillers are becoming the most abused substances in our country. Dr. Marc Galanter said, “It is important that we call attention to very serious drug abuse problems that still exist in the United States. For example, we are seeing recent increases in abuse of painkillers in the United States, as well as the abuse of MDMA [Ecstasy] by adolescents and young adults. Abuse of these particular drugs is not prevalent in less industrialized countries.” (2)

Tobacco and Alcohol Are Also Risks

Other substance, like tobacco and alcohol also have a huge impact on countries throughout the world. Although illicit drug use was linked with about 250,000 deaths worldwide in 2004, alcohol claimed roughly 2.25 million lives globally during that same time period, while tobacco use led to an estimated 5.1 million deaths. (1)

Sources

(1) Worldwide illegal drug use estimated at 200 million people a year

(2) Global Study Finds Drug Abuse Highest in Richer Nations

200 Million People Use Illicit Drugs, Study Finds

Pain makes us do things we wouldn’t normally do. It can alter our mood, change our perception, and cause depression. For anyone dealing with chronic pain, the natural reaction is to find a way to lessen the pain, even if that means doing something drastic.

More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, and 25 million experience acute pain as a result of injury or surgery. (1) Still, many of these people do not feel they are able to get relief from their chronic pain. Either the medications and treatment they’ve tried haven’t worked, or they haven’t even sought out help.

Painkiller Abuse

When some people do find relief in the form of prescription painkillers, they are so overcome with the feeling of relief that they want to continue taking the pills, even at a dangerous level. Not only that, but many prescription painkillers are addicting and cause a feeling of euphoria, which also leads to abuse and addiction. For these reasons, someone who is being prescribed painkillers known to cause addiction, such as OxyContin or Vicodin, must be warned of the potential for addiction and be monitored closely for signs of abuse.

Not all people who are on prescription painkillers abuse them or are dependent on them, but the rate of prescription abuse is increasing. In 2008, more than 36,000 people died from drug overdoses, and most of these deaths were caused by prescription drugs, and more than 12 million people reported using prescription painkillers nonmedically in 2010. (2) All it takes is one injury or illness, and the person can be hooked for life on the meds that are prescribed.

Abusing the System

Managing chronic pain is important because without relief, a person’s mental health can easily suffer. Pain clinics are much more common today than they were 10 years ago, and there are many doctors that specialize in properly treating pain, which results in happier, healthier patients. All too often, however, patients who are addicted to the painkillers find it easy to refill prescriptions, or to get extra pills from different doctors, or order additional pills on the Internet. There are many doctors and pill mills who are willing to sell prescription painkillers, even without a valid prescription, and the ease at which people can get painkillers adds greatly to their abuse.

Doctors and pharmacists need to be extremely diligent about filling prescriptions, and do all they can to stop those who are getting pills just to feed their addiction. Many states are working on developing databases that track prescriptions for all patients at all clinics and hospitals. These monitoring databases alert authorities when a person is doctor shopping, or finding other ways to get more pills. Pain should be managed in a responsible, effective way, and patients and doctors alike need to be more aware of the dangers of prescription drug abuse and work to prevent it from happening.

Sources

(1) The American Chronic Pain Association

(2) CDC

NIDA for Teens

Drinking games and binge drinking are common among young people. College campuses are often settings for this kind of dangerous behavior, and school officials and parents worry about the safety of young people drinking to get drunk. That’s why many people are upset about the number of websites that are dedicated to teaching young people the ins and outs of drinking games.

Knowing How to Drink Responsibly

The websites are all over the Internet, but one in particular is catching some heat in Maine. Launched last week by a former US Navy Chief and a former US Navy Fireman, the site lists various drinking games and how to play them. When asked about critics of the site, owner Jack O’Reilly said, “I served 23 years in the Navy, and you can bet we did a lot of drinking.  And we played our share of drinking games too.  No one ever got hurt; we had a lot of fun – but we could handle it.” (1) Co-owner RJ Anayjuan agrees. “If you’re not able to moderate your drinking, then you shouldn’t drink.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing pool, dancing at the club, or whether you’re playing Kings.  For instance, I’m not much of a drinker at all, but I’ve played my share of drinking games.  I might only take a sip instead of a swill, or I might have nothing but water in my glass.  Plenty of adults get together and have a great time with alcoholic beverages and never get rowdy or drive drunk or anything stupid.” (1)

The site does have a disclaimer that states people shouldn’t drink if they are underage, that they shouldn’t drink and drive, and that the games “should only be played by responsible adults who are able to successfully and safely manage their alcohol intake. Anything less is irresponsible and this site cannot condone any other behavior.” (1) The site also indicates that it will donate some of its proceeds to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Making Binge Drinking Appealing for Young Adults

That’s not good enough, according to many viewers of the site and others like it. Other than one page of a simple disclaimer, there is no instruction on how to drink responsibly, or warnings that many young people die or are hurt from binge drinking every year.

The problem of binge drinking is still on the rise. An Associated Press analysis of federal records found that 157 college-age people, 18 to 23, drank themselves to death from 1999 through 2005. The number of alcohol-poisoning deaths per year rose from 18 in 1999 to 35 in 2005. (2) Many more people are injured or suffer consequences from binge drinking, such as unsafe sex and drug abuse. “There have always been problems with young people and alcohol, but it just seems like they are a little more intense now than they used to be,” said Connie Gores, vice president for student life at Winona State. “The goal of a lot of them is just to get smashed.” (2)

Sources

(1) Drinking Games Website Launches Despite Criticism

(2) Drinking games prove deadly to college kids

DrinkingGames, ME

Many states are moving ahead with regulations that would have ignition interlock devices installed in vehicles of people cited with DUIs. Lawmakers and law enforcement hope these devices will decrease the number of drunk drivers on the roads and save lives.

Wisconsin is just now proposing a law that would require anyone with an OWI to have an ignition interlock device installed in their car. The state has been known for its relaxed laws on drunk driving, but is working on getting tougher with its intoxicated drivers. The law would require interlocks, which prevent a car from starting if they detect alcohol on the driver’s breath, for even first time offenders.

Installing Interlock Devices

New York’s law went into effect in 2010, and it requires monitoring and supervision of offenders with the device in their car. To date, 14 states have laws that mandate ignition interlocks for first time offenders. Nebraska is one of those states. “I think the message is that no drinking and driving will be tolerated by the law. The legislature’s enacted stiff penalties to punish those people,” said Sarpy County, Nebraska Judge Jeffrey Funke. (1)

While these laws are making a difference because they put strict penalties on first time offenders, there are some concerns. The cost of carrying through with installing the interlocks and monitoring them can be a huge burden on states. Some states require the offender to cover the costs, which can be $75 to $100 per installation. In just one year, New York installed 5,775 devices, the cost of which adds up quickly.

Beating the System

The interlock devices are not fool proof. People find ways around them, get bystanders to blow into them, or they take a friend’s car. While there are stiff penalties for doing this, someone unwilling to change their ways will try them to see if they can get away with it. “What we want people to understand,” Omaha Police Sergeant Tony Gutierrez said, “is if you say, drive a friend’s car and you’re required to have an interlock device, and you drive a car without one, you could be charged with a Class IV felony.” (1)

Preventing Drunk Driving Deaths

Imposing stricter penalties on people the first time they get caught drinking and driving will hopefully get the message out that this is a serious offense. Unfortunately, many of the drunk drivers on the roads have multiple offenses. It is frustrating anytime a drunk driver kills someone in an accident, but even more so when it is their 5th or 6th offense. The laws may not have a huge impact on people who have been drinking and diving for a while, but the hope is that it will deter others from getting to that point. “I think the changes are necessary to address the problems sooner, to make a bigger impact right away,” said Gutierrez. “We’re hoping that we have safer drivers on the road. That’s the long-term goal. Time will tell if that’s what actually takes place.” (1)

Sources

(1) New DUI Laws In Effect January 1st

NYS To Reimburse Counties For Interlock Devices

Installers Expect More Business if Tougher Ignition Interlock Law Passes