Drug Addition: Can You Save

Your Teen Before It's to Late?

"Parenting Tips & Advice to
Help with Your Teenager Drug
Habits"... It Ain't Cool No
More!


by Terry Clark


Table of Content

1. Will Your Teen Need to Go to Hospital?
2. Why are Teenagers at Risk of Drug Abuse?
3. Why Alcohol is a Drug
4. Where Kids Get Drugs
5. What to do if You Suspect Your Teen is Taking Drugs
6. What Effect do Social Drugs Have?
7. What are the Various Drug Treatments?
8. What are Party Drugs?
9. What Adults Should Know about Teen Drug Problems
10. Using Test Kits to Check a Teenager for Drug Use
11. Trust is Needed to Prevent the Teen Drug Problem
12. The Role of the Media in Teenage Drug Problems
13. The Role of Parents in Helping Their Teenager Overcome
Drug Addiction
14. The Issue of Drug Use by Teens
15. The End Result of Drug Addiction
16. The Drug Problem and Sensitive Kids
17. The Dangers of Smoking Nicotine
18. Teens Using Designer Drugs
19. Teenage Life and Drugs: Alarming News Every Day
20. Teaching Children about Drugs
21. Symptoms of Drug Abuse Seen in Teenagers
22. Soft Drugs vs. Hard Drugs
23. Signs that Help Identify Marijuana Use
24. Prescription Drug Abuse among Adolescents
25. Major Reasons Why Teens Take Drugs
26. Is Your Teen Addicted to a Drug?
27. Important Facts about Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens
28. How to Tell Whether a Teenager is Using Drugs
29. How to Keep Your Teen Off Drugs
30. How to Handle Children Who Test Positive for Drugs
31. How Drugs are Taking Heavy Toll on Teenagers
32. How Drug Abuse Destroys Lives
33. How do Teenagers Take Drugs
34. Drug Addiction - Save Your Teen While You Can
35. Cocaine Effects, Addictions, and Problems
36. Causes and Solutions for Teen Drug Issues

Resources


#1. Will Your Teen Need to Go to Hospital?

There are a variety of reasons why most parents tend to take
their teenagers who are addicted to drugs to the hospital
for rehabilitation and treatment. There is always the
possibility that a kid who has had an excellent academic
record up till recently and also did well in physical
activities is not showing the same kind of performance as
he used to. His priorities are now very different and he
compromises upon the need to fulfil his obligations on time,
spending more time in getting high.

It is not just boys who can get addicted to drugs. Girls
are also equally vulnerable. In fact, drug use affects the
health of both boys and girls in the same way, and they tend
to become more aggressive, depressed and irritated,
experiencing major mood swings every now and then, leaving
behind parents more concerned than ever. They tell a lot
of lies to their parents in order to hide the reality. You
just do not know what to do in such a situation and are
willing to go on to any extreme in order to get your child
back to normalcy.

Before you consider taking your teenager to the hospital
for extensive treatment, it is important to evaluate the
extent of damage that has been caused by drug use in the
life of your children, and how this habit is interfering
in their daily life routine. If your children have developed
the habit of breaking promises and not fulfilling their
academic obligations and also of breaking the law, then it
is time for things to be taken seriously. On the other hand,
drug abuse may be the reason behind your girl indulging in
unprotected sex, and while she keeps promising that she will
not take drugs anymore, you find her with a hangover every
Sunday morning when she wakes up.

Teenagers usually start using drugs when they are
overburdened with pressure due to the various factors in
their lives. The need to fit in, peer pressure, sporting
activities together with academics can put your teenager
under immense pressure, and while drugs may bring a
temporary respite in their lives, it is not an effective
solution. While your teenager might be the nicest person
around, there is always the risk of them getting into drugs.
This is the reason why you need to be extra cautious
especially if there have been cases of drug use in your
neighbourhood or in the social circle of your child. There
are many reasons why your teenager may need rehabilitation
at the hospital for their own good. Some of the factors which
you need to take into consideration are discussed below.

Your teenager starts to procrastinate on a regular basis
on various obligations. Often, they leave them half way
through, since they are more interested in the drugs than
anything. You have found drug like substances carefully
hidden away in their room more than once. Apart from that,
you often find various medical drugs and sedatives missing
from the medicine cabinet in your house, and they seem to
be disappearing mysteriously. Your teenager may stop caring
much about his personal hygiene, and can often be found
dirty and unclean.

Teens that are addicted to drugs often experience extreme
mood swings, and their energy levels are often quite low.
Their mood alternates between periods of exuberance to
depression and anger. You will find that your teenager will
often hang out with those individuals who like to live a
lifestyle that resembles that of the hippies, and they would
consider pill popping and excessive partying as something
really cool. They stop showing any interest in social
activities, and avoid participation in family events. They
lock themselves inside their rooms, and are hostile to the
idea of spending time with their loved ones. Their overall
health continues to worsen, and they may also start gaining
or losing weight rapidly during the initial phase.

The circumstances will obviously vary from one case to
another, but there are instances when children as young as
12 years have been taken to the hospital for treatment due
to drug abuse. Teenagers often show antagonism towards any
type of drug treatment, and you have to be very strong and
patient in this regard.


#2.Why are Teenagers at Risk of Drug Abuse?

There are different reasons why a teenager falls for drugs.
Drug addiction is a disease of the mind. It is a chronic
condition, which leads to inability to control one's
actions, make decisions or behave properly. Teenagers react
differently to the use of drugs. These changes vary from
one individual to another. Relationships, personality
development, characteristic and surroundings trigger the
need for using drugs in a teenager.

Drugs have the ability to change the functioning of the
brain. Every human being performs repetitive actions that
provide pleasure and happiness. This is one of the reasons
why a human being loves to do things that give happiness.
For example, eating chocolates, indulging in sports,
reading, spa treatments and other activities give
happiness.

Drugs act in the same way. Chemicals present in drugs excite
the brain that leaves a pleasurable instinct in the mind.
The feel-good chemical present in the drugs is causing
addiction. Teenagers often take the help of drugs in order
to overcome a depressive state or anxiety. They also consume
drugs at different levels of life. A problem at home or at
high school may also be causing a teenager to abuse drugs.

Willpower, support from parents and a change of environment
are very much important for a teenager to fight against drug
abuse. Drug abuse is a serious problem. Parents should not
lose their hope. Apart from effective therapies are
available in the market, it is also essential to create a
positive environment at the home.

Keeping the teenager busy with different activities is a
good way to create a diversion to the mind. Though the entire
process is filled with different hurdles, it is important
for a parent to act sensibly and delicately. They should
shower all the love, affection and care they have for their
children in the entire process. Creating a stronger family
bonding is important to make the teenager understand about
the side effects of drug abuse.

When a teenager connects with their family, he or she will
be in a position to discuss problems openly and freely with
their parents. This is a good sign as a parent will be in
a position to detect the state of depression in an early
stage. Participating in family gatherings, social
activities, coaching, strengthening exercises and other
activities will ensure that a teenager will never depend
on drugs in the future. These acts also improve the
self-confidence of the teenager.


#3. Why Alcohol is a Drug

Whenever the subject of drug abuse and addiction is raised
in various circles, alcohol is mentioned in the same groups
as substances which are identified as drugs. However, for
most people, alcohol is something very different from
substances that we traditionally call drugs. At the same
time, the fact is that alcohol abuse remains a heated topic
for discussion, and many experts have argued whether
alcohol can also be considered a drug.

The definition of drugs in the majority of dictionaries is
a substance which has a direct impact on the survival of
healthy living cells, affecting their daily function, but
these substances may also be used in the cure and prevention
of various diseases and disorders, and their usage is a norm
in the medical world. Going by this definition, we cannot
consider alcohol to be a drug since it is not used for curing
any disease, and its usage in the health industry is
minimal. But at the same time, it has many of the same common
properties as drugs. For example, it can act as a
tranquilizer, analgesic and also, as a stimulant.

While alcohol may have its share of health benefits in the
sense that it can help fight off certain diseases as is the
case with certain types of drugs, at the same time, frequent
usage may turn you into an addict, which is again the same
as is the case with some addictive drugs. According to
certain medical researches and studies alcohol can actually
help to improve your cardiovascular health if consumed in
moderate amounts. However, these days, most health and
medical experts are increasingly discouraging those
individuals who have never tasted alcohol from ever trying
it, especially if they are going to use it to improve the
health of their heart. They recommend alternative methods
and techniques such as adopting a healthy and nutritious
diet accompanied with regular exercising. These do not pose
any kind of risk to your overall health, and they help to
strengthen the immune system.

Alcohol is definitely addictive if the person starts using
it on a regular basis and the addiction can be as bad as
drug addiction. Alcoholism is a term which is often used
to describe alcohol abuse and addiction, and it is
unfortunately very common in communities around the world
these days. It is seen amongst individuals belonging to all
socioeconomic backgrounds, and therefore can affect
anyone, anywhere.

Alcohol addiction makes you physically dependent on such
substances and can lead to the development of a chronic
disease that may even result in your death in the long term.
Prolonged addiction to alcohol has the same impact on the
condition of the users such as increased tolerance and the
production of withdrawal symptoms, which is similar to
other types of drugs. Alcoholism may also result in various
social problems, and the affected individual tends to
withdraw from daily activities.

His relationships suffer the repercussions of his
addiction, and the trust bond that exists between him and
his loved ones is crippled permanently. Alcoholics may also
lose their jobs as their symptoms become evident, and they
start indulging in various illegal activities and social
behaviour that is uncalled for. Alcohol, as mentioned
above, can have a dangerous effect on the health of the
users, and long term usage is potentially life threatening,
since alcoholism leads to various deadly diseases and
medical conditions such as cancer.

The affects of alcohol vary from one person to the other,
but if we talk about the symptoms, they tend to direct
towards the development of a dangerous problem. For most
individuals, the effects of alcohol on their health would
vary depending upon their own circumstances and health, but
the dangers of alcohol can never be underestimated or
emphasized enough. Alcohol can have a devastating impact
on the overall quality of life of the individual and its
effect on society and culture has been well documented and
recognized. That is why alcoholism is loathed and detested
in each and every part of the world to the extent that some
communities have called for a complete ban on its use.

The use of alcohol is strongly discouraged for senior
people, individuals who suffer from stress and
hypertension, together with pregnant women. Its use not
only causes physical dependence but also leads to
tolerance, which means that the individual using it
continues to gradually increase the amount which they drink
every day.


#4. Where Kids Get Drugs

A large number of parents believe that their kids get drugs
directly from drug dealers. While there might be some truth
in this theory, the reality is very different. The fact is
that in almost every school across the United States, a kid
will definitely come across a person who is able to sell
him drugs, but most of them rarely purchase any such
substance from these individuals.

Drug addiction amongst teenagers and kids in general often
starts when one of their friends invites them to a gathering
where almost everyone is experimenting with this substance,
and your kid, in the fear that he will be left out, joins
the party. Kids may even start using drugs by trying out
prescription pills since most of them help to relax your
body and release tension, giving the same sensation as other
types of drugs. Sometimes, kids even steal from the medicine
cabinet in your house without anyone noticing them, and the
same is true for other types of drugs that they can easily
get from outside sources even under your supervision.

In many countries around the world these days, the laws
against drugs are quite stringent and strict, but this has
not really helped to stop the supply of drugs in many cities
and towns. In fact, according to the B.C. Centre for
Excellence, kids can find drugs within a period of 10
minutes on the street if given the opportunity in a city
like Vancouver where authorities have been very aggressive
about getting rid of drugs. In fact, substances such as
crystal meth, marijuana, heroin, cocaine and crack are
highly accessible especially for teenagers. This points
towards an alarming situation since the availability and
usage of drugs has become so widespread and easy.

Many experts have been disappointed by the fact that several
strategies for controlling and limiting access to illicit
drugs that were deemed as quite effective initially have
completely failed in many urban centres across the United
States, especially in the downtown regions of various
cities. This is the reason why more and more experts are
asking authorities to invest funds on addiction treatments
rather than law enforcement since that is apparently having
no affect at all in controlling the spread of drugs.

In most parts of the world, the lack of government
regulation has also made the situation worse considering
the fact that it is easy to sell drugs to anyone who is below
the age of 18 especially after midnight. All kids need to
do is to dial up a particular number from their cell phones
and their drugs will be delivered at their doorstep within
a very short period of time. In fact, it is easier to get
drugs than place an order for a pizza. Children who spend
more time wandering around the streets are more vulnerable
than any other group of kids, since they easily become aware
of an established network of drug suppliers, and since they
know about it, they are more motivated to gain access.

There are many places, some of them quite surprising, where
your kids can get drugs from. As mentioned above, the school
which your kid goes to happens to be one of the spots where
they can find drugs even though school authorities have been
pretty strict about this issue. Old prescription medicines
lying in your medicine cabinet can also be used as drugs
by kids at home, and there have been instances where kids
have also gained access to drugs through their own siblings
and even parents. The place where your kid might be working
can also be a great place to find drugs, which is why you
should always keep a check on where your kid is working.
They can also get drugs through magazine subscriptions, and
the internet, where many drug suppliers have a hidden but
established presence.

Drugs are often used by kids during parties. This is
especially true for teenagers. They take them before they
start dancing since they apparently help to keep them fresh
for very long hours. They may also do drugs during slumber
parties and night stays at their friend's place. The
important thing for you as a parent is to exercise some
control over your kids and to make sure that they trust you
and can confide in you.


#5. What to do if You Suspect Your Teen is Taking Drugs

As a parent, your worst possible nightmare will be finding
out that your child has been taking drugs for a while. You
might ignore many of their habits and various behavioural
signs such as all the crazy clothing and fashions, and not
focusing on their academics. If they are taking drugs, this
will ring alarm bells and you will be thinking of what you
should do next in order to get the situation under control.

Most parents are simply unaware of what to do in such
circumstances. They simply do not know what to do or how
to handle the situation in a way that it will help it to
come under control in a positive way without any side
getting hurt. Experts recommend that you are extremely
honest and straightforward to your child if you have any
kind of suspicion in such a situation. It is necessary that
you share your concerns immediately, and the first thing
you need to do is try to find evidence that will help you
present your case.

However, never go through your child's stuff without their
knowledge since this will simply have a destructive effect
on the trust your child enjoins on you. Parents are always
concerned about the future prospects of their children, and
drug use is one of the most sensitive issues that you will
encounter during their growing up phase. Given this, you
will need to take extra care since this will have a long
term impact.

If you have discovered anything which indicates drug use,
then you will need to exercise high levels of patience
rather than losing your temper. When your teenager returns
home, make sure that you have relaxed and calmed down.
Otherwise, you may turn the situation into more of a battle
of egos and wills which will end up destroying your
relationship with your children and lose the chance to make
a difference in their lives. You should remember the fact
that teenagers who use drugs often suffer from issues
related to low self esteem and self confidence, and end up
relying on drugs since they are simply unable to cope with
their situation.

Discuss the situation with your child face to face and avoid
anything that will interrupt the conversation, including
all phone calls and other errands, notwithstanding how
important they might be. Your behaviour demonstrates the
seriousness of the situation, and your entire concentration
will be on your child. Make sure that you give your child
the opportunity to provide a response and explain his side
of the story, while maintaining your calm and temper. Do
not scream or use an accusatory tone at any time, but ask
questions relating to the subject from time to time. You
may insist on a drug test if your child denies that he has
been using drugs, but remember to ensure privacy and
confidentiality at all times.

After this, the first thing you need to do is to hide all
prescription drugs in a place where they will be
inaccessible to your children. Secondly, make sure that
your children remain busy with various healthy activities
such as sports, music, arts and academics since that way
they will not get involved with drugs sot easily. Thirdly,
their emotional wellbeing is paramount in ensuring that
they stay away from drugs. Children come under a lot of
pressure due to their lifestyle, and it is due to this stress
that they end up using drugs.

Fourthly, you should avoid all kinds of activities that
promote the use of drugs amongst your children. You should
never smoke or drink alcohol in front of your children,
since most teenagers consider their parents to be role
models.

Fifth, keep your child under proper supervision at all times
despite the fact that it might be difficult in many
situations. For example, do not leave your children on their
own after school, and always show interest in whatever
activities they are involved in.

If you discover that your child has been taking drugs, it
is important that you get professional help as soon as
possible since this will help to control their drug abuse
problem. Try to stay calm and focus on your child's
wellbeing completely.


#6. What Effect do Social Drugs Have?

The use of social drugs is often associated with young
people who use them to increase their energy levels and
alleviate feelings of tiredness and anxiety. They take
these drugs in order to relax and feel good about
themselves. They want to become indifferent to the external
environment. As a parent, you would definitely be very
conscious about how your children behave. The last thing
you would want is for them to use any type of drug, which
is why you should be aware of the side-effects. Here is a
guide to the more commonly used type of party drugs and how
they affect your body and mind when used.

Alkyl Nitrite is the chemical name given to poppers, which
cause an increase in your heart rate. The amount of blood
flowing through the brain and heart increases. This is what
we refer to as the rush. The drug is often inhaled, and users
may experience the effects immediately upon inhaling it.
It also causes light headedness, dizziness and severe
headache. The drug is not addictive, and users normally do
not experience any withdrawal experience. However, they may
develop tolerance to it if they use poppers continuously
for a fortnight or so.

Amphetamine or speed is basically a kind of stimulant which
affects the nervous system. Like poppers, it helps to
increase the heart rate. The effects of this drug usually
last for several hours after usage, even though it may take
up to 30 minutes for users to notice any of the effects.
Users may experience increased energy and confidence
levels, while remaining extremely wide awake and
hyperactive.

Withdrawal effects including feelings of restlessness,
anxiety, dizziness and irritability and insomnia like
symptoms are reported amongst active users. If a user stops
using the drug suddenly after long term use, they may
experience rapid mood changes together with extreme hunger
and lethargy. It has negative fallout on the overall health
of the cardiovascular and digestive systems.

Cannabis, also known as weed, is one of the most commonly
used types of party drug. It has a mild effect on the
physical wellbeing of the users. It causes increase in
appetite, decreased blood pressure and dizziness, and is
often regarded as the gateway to the usage of harder drugs
such as heroine. This is why parents need to be very careful
if they discover that their children are using this drug.
It is also pretty addictive, and withdrawing from it can
be very difficult.

The word "cocaine" often sends jitters through the spines
of parents. If your child is using it, then it would be one
of the worst fears. It causes physiological arousal, and
users get feelings of well-being while being indifferent
to fatigue and pain. This drug is extremely addictive, and
damages the overall health of the user. If it is used with
crack, then users are likely to suffer even more damaging
effects.

Crack is another commonly used party drug. Its effects are
quite similar to those of cocaine, even though they are much
more extreme and intense. Users can experience the effects
immediately, and they last for up to 10 minutes. Apart from
the same effects as cocaine use, users often get extremely
aggressive and paranoid, and it is very addictive and fatal
if there is an overdose. Crack has negative fallout on the
mental health and central nervous system of the user. It
may take several months before users can fully recover.

We have all heard about ecstasy due to the fact that many
high profile celebrities from around the world have been
caught using it. Ecstasy basically affects the central
nervous system and leads to increased mental activity, with
users experiencing a kind of surge in euphoria followed by
feelings of calmness. Users sweat profusely and may also
experience nausea and a dry mouth together with an increase
in heart rate and blood pressure. Users feel extremely tired
and depressed after the effects start to wear out, and they
feel extremely dehydrated. Long term usage of ecstasy can
actually be fatal due to heavy loss of body fluid.

There are many other types of party drugs that are commonly
used by young people. If you feel that your child is also
using them, it is important that you take immediate action.


#7. What are the Various Drug Treatments?

Recovering from drug addiction can sound like an impossible
endeavour, but at the same time, various forms of treatments
are available. They can tackle all levels of drug addiction
notwithstanding how difficult your situation might be. You
can actually turn your life back to normal through proper
treatment and support and by identifying and fixing the
underlying causes of your addiction.

During your treatment, it is important that you never give
up despite the fact that you might have suffered failure
in the past. The path towards getting rid of your addiction
is going to be very difficult, but by addressing the problem
and examining it, you will already be on the path towards
complete recovery. For a large number of individuals who
suffer from drug addiction, the most difficult step towards
recovery is making the decision to bring the change in their
lives. You will face a lot of conflict within your body,
but you need to act strong and commit yourself towards
achieving your goals.

Changing and turning your life around is never an easy to
ask, and you will have to change your perspective towards
your surroundings. The four main changes you will have to
make have to do with in the way you deal with stress, the
way you think about yourself, which people you are going
to allow to be a part of your life, and lastly, how you plan
to spend your free time.

The first thing you need to do is to figure out how
frequently you use drugs and the quantity that you use since
this will help you identify the impact that drug use has
on your life. Make a list of the advantages and
disadvantages of quitting drugs and also identify the cost
factor involved in pursuing your habit. After this, jot down
things that play an important role in your life such as your
children, profession, health and family, and how drug use
is affecting your attitude towards them. Apart from that,
make sure that you discuss this issue with someone you know
you can trust, and explain how you feel about your current
situation.

Secondly, you should explore all the options available for
treating drug abuse. When searching for one, please keep
in mind that if a single treatment has been highly
successful with some people, it does not necessarily mean
that it will work for you. The needs of each and every
individual are different, and the treatment option you
pursue should be customized in a way that it meets your needs
and requirements taking into consideration your current
situation.

The treatment you select should focus upon your overall
recovery rather than on just helping you get rid of your
addiction. Drug addiction itself affects your overall
wellbeing and emotional life, and disconnects you from the
rest of the world, especially your loved ones. The success
of the treatment will depend on the fact that it has been
able to address the underlying causes behind the addiction
and bring your health back.

Medical treatments require you to follow them till the end,
and please remember that it is a long and arduous process
depending on how intense your addiction is. The duration
of the treatment program will therefore vary from a few
weeks to several months. Rehabilitation can be carried out
in various places, but not every addict requires an extended
stint in the rehabilitation centre or medically supervised
detoxification unit. Drug addiction treatment services are
offered by a number of social and religious organizations
together with doctors, psychologists, and counsellors to
help.

During your treatment, it is better that you stay close to
your loved ones and ask for their cooperation in this
regard. Also, try to find those friends who were a part of
your social life before you started using drugs, or develop
a new social circle of people who are not drug users. Some
individuals also consider living in a sober home to help
them recover. Introduce healthier changes in your life
which will help to resolve the underlying issues that cause
stress in your body. It is often stress that leads people
to using drugs and exercising regularly together with
eating healthy food really helps out in this regard.


#8. What are Party Drugs?

Party drugs are basically composed of controlled substances
which have been listed in the control schedules maintained
by the Drug Enforcement Agency. They are commonly used at
social gatherings and parties where young people meet.
Party drugs include those which contain substances such as
amyl nitrate, ketamine hydrochloride, MDMA and
methamphetamine amongst many others. Most drugs such as
hardware, aroma of man, Ketalar, vitamin K, special K,
butyle nitrate, locker room, methylenedioxy
methamphetamine, poppers, crystal, crystal meth, bennies,
ecstasy, clarity, XTC, rush, speed, desoxyn, and crank
consist of the chemical substances mentioned above.

The users of these drugs generally get feelings of empathy
and pleasure together with increased levels of energy. A
large number of individuals who take these drugs tend to
become completely disconnected from the surrounding
physical environment. This allows them to continue dancing
or stay up continually for many hours without getting the
feeling of tiredness and fatigue. In fact, party drug users
often become highly careless. They lose their sense of time
and surroundings, have impaired judgement, lack reaction
to any sign of danger and lose all their inhibitions. The
reason behind this psychological behaviour is that party
drugs cause stress in the respiratory, cardiovascular and
nervous system.

Amyl nitrate is an ingredient which is commonly used in many
party drugs. It was basically developed for the treatment
of angina since it has a direct affect on your overall
cardiovascular system and heart health. Poppers, which
happen to be the drugs containing this ingredient in the
largest amounts, are among the most basic forms of this
chemical. When crushed, or popped, such a drug releases
vapours that permeate into your blood vessels and increase
the pulse rate while lowering blood pressure levels. It also
helps to relax your body and muscles, and due to these
properties, it is often used before sexual intercourse. It
is often available as a room odorizer in small brown
coloured bottles in many smoke shops.

Ketamine is another chemical compound that has been listed
in the scheduled list of party drugs. It was developed for
use by both animals and human beings, and is often referred
to as cat Valium amongst users. It is also used widely as
a type of tranquilizer to sedate animals and children before
a minor medical surgery or procedure. It works in the same
way as the nitrous oxide - which is also referred to as
laughing gas - on your cardiovascular system. In large doses
it can cause a deeply detached and dreamy feeling amongst
users. Users often find difficulty in trying to talk or move
properly, and it also depresses the respiratory system. If
used with alcohol, it can have a deadly effect. While this
drug is not addictive, users have been observed to increase
their dosage over time for an even more intensified
experience. It is normally injected directly into muscle,
or snorted in small doses after being cooked into a white
coloured powder.

MDMA, better known as ecstasy, is one of the most widely
used party drugs. People of all ages and backgrounds have
been caught using it. In fact, many celebrities have been
charged with use of ecstasy, and it basically affects your
neurological system, thus affecting your mood. Users often
feel very relaxed and peaceful upon use, showing more
tolerance towards their physical surroundings including
the people around them. They usually also seek to express
their love, which is why it is commonly referred to as the
hug drug. It is often used before sexual intercourse since
it helps to intensify both the physical and psychological
aspects of orgasm and arousal. Ecstasy is often used in the
form of a pill or capsule. It can also be smoked or injected
directly.

Methamphetamine which is commonly known as crystal meth is
a synthetic compound that was developed for the treatment
of depression, breathing disorders and other medical and
psychological conditions. It helps to increase your stamina
and make you feel stronger. That is why it is often used
before sexual intercourse and by young individuals in
parties. However, the drug's overuse may lead to various
psychological behavioural problems.

Party drugs are as dangerous as all their counterparts
despite the common misconception. This is clearly visible
from their description.


#9. What Adults Should Know about Teen Drug Problems

Teen drug addiction is on the rise and this is something
which is quite worrisome. People are now working on the
solutions to this problem. It is important that if you have
a teenager at home, you are aware of the overall situation
about the issue and also be aware about the facts of the
lives of your teenager. There are two main factors that
trigger the drug problem in the teens of this generation
and they will be looked upon in detail in the following
lines.

The first thing that gets teenagers into the drug problem
is peer pressure. As the parent of any teenager would agree,
in this age group the opinions of ones peers matters more
than that of the family. When they have to compare the
opinions or make some decision, the opinion of their friends
is going to weigh more in comparison to that of the parents
and the rest of the family. Given the conditions outside,
there is a lot of negative influence going around which is
most of the time responsible for the fact that otherwise
good kids end up taking up drugs.

In order to ensure that all of this peer pressure mixed with
the identity struggle does not end up in a drug problem and
ruin the life of your child completely, it is essential to
make sure that you are giving them the time and attention
that is required by them at this stage of their life.

Added to this, you should note that it is not just about
the attention, but the way that it is worked around. Being
overprotective and showing it is not going to help in most
cases as during the teen years the kids are looking for some
independence as well. With all the hormones and confusion
in play, your attention can prove to be quite an irritating
addition.

The other factor that usually results in a drug problem is
emotional imbalance and this one is not just caused by the
hormonal change but because of the problems that the kids
might be facing either at home or school. No family is
perfect and they are not supposed to be perfect either.
However, what needs to be done is that matters are handled
in an open manner so that no hidden and hurt feelings are
left hidden to breed resentment or hate. The very sensitive
types end up harming themselves through their drug habit.


#10 Using Test Kits to Check a Teenager for Drug Use

Teenagers act impulsively and this is normal at their age.
It is important for a parent to deal with any problem in
a delicate manner under such conditions. If there are any
suspicions about a teenager taking illicit drugs, it is
important for a parent to act accordingly. Hasty actions,
anxiety and panic will only worsen the situation. Making
a teenager walk into a test lab for drug testing is an
extreme step. However, if a teenager is in the early stages
of addiction, it is possible for a parent to conduct the
test without difficulty.

The development of technology has made it possible for
medical manufacturers to come up with compatible drug
testing devices. Many companies are offering highly
accurate drug abuse test kits. Parents can utilize this
opportunity to check out for drug abuse by their kid. As
there are different categories of drug testing kits, it is
possible for a parent to select the right one.

One of the tests requires the child's knowledge whereas the
other type of test can be performed secretly. Urine and
saliva tests are carried out in the presence of the
teenager. A parent can only opt for this test if their child
is willing to undergo the test. Moreover, this is only
possible when a parent creates a comfortable situation at
home. Such an environment will be helpful for a teenager
to talk openly with their parents are related to drug abuse.

The hair follicle test used to check for the presence of
drugs in a person's system falls under the secretive
category. A parent can collect the sample of hair from the
child unknowingly. It is possible for these devices to
provide information about the presence of substances in the
body. Most of the test kits deliver accurate results that
give out information about presence of illicit drugs,
prescription medications, opium, cocaine and marijuana.
Taking actions in the right way and dealing with the
situation smoothly is essential for a parent.

Those who are unable to handle the situation can seek the
help of professionals. The family physician can be of great
help in the beginning stage. However, when the situation
is out of control, it is necessary for a parent to seek help
from a rehabilitation centre. Creating a positive
environment and keeping the child busy are the two important
factors to get the teenager back to normal. A simple
research over the Internet will be helpful for a parent to
come across the best home drug testing kits.


#11. Trust is Needed to Prevent the Teen Drug Problem

Every parent whose child enters the teen age years is
worried a lot and rightly so. There are so many problems
which are going around that at times it is quite impossible
to avoid a panic attack. One of the key issues that are
making rounds among this age group these days is drug
addiction. The problem is going from bad to worse and needs
immediate attention. Though at many levels there are people
working to look for ways in which this problem can be
controlled, the key responsibility lies on the shoulders
of the parents.

Parents have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders when
it comes to raising their kids and many times it is not
possible to look out for everything. So if there is a
problem, dont start blaming yourself because at times
there is not much that one can do.

One needs to try and establish some basic relationship rules
with their kids and ensure that they are followed. These
rules or norms of the family are going to make sure that
in most of the cases the kids stay out of trouble. There
are ample examples that can be quoted when it comes to kids
taking up a stand against pressures from the outside and
staying on track. Doing this when there is so much
temptation around them just goes on to reflect what a strong
network of the family values can do for the betterment and
protection of ones life.

What is this key to the value creation that is being
mentioned here time and again? The answer is that the one
and only factor that is needed in most of the relationships
is trust. It is the level of trust that is most important.
This might sound like an overused clich but truly, it is
a strong bond of trust that is going to ensure that the teens
dont alienate themselves from the parents and family in
their time of confusion and turn towards the wrong kind of
solutions.

These solutions as can be guessed have the use of drugs on
top of their list. Given any sort of addiction, once one
is hooked no matter for what reason letting go of it is not
an easy job and above all, the label attached to the name
of that child for the rest of his life can close a lot of
doors for fruitful opportunities.


#12. The Role of the Media in Teenage Drug Problems

In modern society, there is a lot of external influence on
the growing kids and especially on teenagers. This was not
the case in the recent past and the parents had a firm grip
on their children, knowing exactly what was going on in
their lives. Another reason for this was that the activity
of the children was not so independent oriented. They were
pretty much dependant on their parents for a lot of things
including information and relied on them for solving all
their growing issues. The result was that the parents had
a much easier time guiding their children through their
tough teenage years.

Now the opposite is true for the majority of teens. For the
most part even though teenagers have not gained any sort
of major independence in practical terms, they have become
quite independent in terms of the sources of information
that they use. An associated effect of this is that they
are influenced by a lot of things that the parents cant
control.

A major source of influence is the TV. The number of hours
that people now spend in front of their TV screens is
increasing by the day. Added to this many of the surveys
and researches have concluded that now many of the decisions
that are made by people in general are heavily influenced
by their viewership and what they are absorbing from the
TV.

When it comes to teenagers and all the associated issues,
a key problem that has come to the surface is their
fascination with drugs. Have a look at the movies or the
shows that are shown on the TV, the projection of drugs,
violence and sex is not done in a negative manner but is
shown as something that is cool to do and something that
shows the level of your independence.

As stated earlier, the hours that people and especially the
young crowd are spending in front of their screens now is
increasing by the day and this increased viewing is
resulting in more and more influence from what they are
seeing as portrayed as cool. Talk to any of the teenagers
around you and most of their conversation would be about
the shows and the people that they idealize and not
surprisingly most of these figures belong to the
entertainment world.

It wont be wrong to say that the media should be held
responsible to some extent for the teenage drug problem.


#13. The Role of Parents in Helping Their Teenager Overcome
Drug Addiction

Helping a teenager that uses drugs is crucial and should
be performed in the right way. It is shocking and an
unpleasant experience for a parent to learn about their
childs drug abuse activity. Speaking to the kid is the
right way to go to make them understand the situation and
the consequences they have to face in the future. Explaining
the future prospects in a positive way is essential to make
the teenager get a better picture of life without drugs.

The first step for a parent is to observe the changes in
the behavior of their child. Changes in appetite and self
defense mechanisms are other common factors through which
it is possible to sense drug abuse. If a parent finds out
drastic changes in their teenager, it is necessary to think
practically and handle the situation in a sensitive manner.
Talking with the child and understanding their problem will
be helpful in finding out the root cause.

Here are a few important tips on how a parent should react
if they find out that their child is taking drugs.

1. Though drug abuse is a scary situation for a parent, one
should not be panicked and use a harsh approach towards the
teenager. It is at this time that a parent should exhibit
all their care and love for their child. Being patient and
talking in a soothing way is the way to go that makes the
teen talk about the reason for using drugs.

2. Talking openly is essential for a parent. Creating a
friendly atmosphere at home is very important in such cases.
This will be helpful for the teenager to open up completely
with their parents. It is also important for a parent to
listen completely to what their child says in such a
situation. A parent should then take the next step and talk
to their child in such a way that it helps them understand
the side effects.

3. Explaining the ill effects of drug abuse is a good way
to go. Showing them videos and information related to the
side effects will leave a good impression on the teen.
Keeping the teen busy in their everyday life is essential
to prevent them turning back to drug abuse. Keeping the teen
busy at all times also helps them regain their lost
confidence. It is also important that friends and family
members help during the entire process.

Taking care of these things will help a parent take their
child out of drug abuse.


#14. The Issue of Drug Use by Teens

For a long time, drugs have been used as a means of solace
and satiety by people all around the world. People look to
them for comfort, happiness and joy, relaxation and
ecstasy. The business of dealing with drugs is achieving
great heights because of its popularity and the age group
that plays the most important role in making it popular is
definitely the teens. They no doubt seem to enjoy it like
most of the other users. Their curiosity and adventurous
nature lead to the usage of drugs and then it becomes more
than a habit that is addiction. When the usage is abusive,
it becomes a problem for the teen and their parents as well
as the rest of society.

It is important to discuss the worst impacts of drugs on
everybody and teens in particular. First of all, as drugs
are taken to get calm and for relaxation, they make a person
dull and drowsy, the teen will be down all day and will not
be able to perform daily activities. Studies are mostly
affected because it is not possible for the teen to
concentrate with this mind. They start shirking their
responsibilities at home and school. Not just the grades
but the extracurricular activities are also badly affected.

Teenagers that use drugs will avoid physical activities and
prefer to stay indoors. They are mostly absent from school
and sports activities. The health of the drug user also
deteriorates as one loses the desire to eat or drink healthy
food and wants to get their entire fulfillment from the
drugs.

As drugs dont come free, the addiction is also a financial
blow and since most teens are dependent upon their parents,
basically the financial loss is for the parents. And when
they dont get the money from their parents they have to
steal, borrow or sell other things. So we can see that the
use of drugs is not just a problem on its own, in fact it
is the initiator of a lot of other problems.

When the effects of the drugs are at their peak and the user
is not aware of his actions many wrong activities are
performed. They include stealing, robbing, lying, assaults
and more. Criminal acts dont appear that big a deal.

Such cases should be dealt with care as teens are very
sensitive and vulnerable. The issues should be dealt with
through counseling and if required, help should be taken
from the teachers, counselors and psychiatrists as well as
doctors. The earlier the issue with drug use is solved, the
better it is for the whole family.


#15. The End Result of Drug Addiction

The end results for those who have been addicted to drugs
and especially for those who have been using them for a very
long time are rather horrifying and scary. Drug addiction
not only destroys the health of addicts permanently, but
it also cripples their social life, leaving them
emotionally depressed and isolated which further ruins
their situation. Our society does not have a very positive
attitude towards people who use drugs either, and family
and friends no more repose their trust on such individuals.
Repairing relationships which have undergone such a crisis
can be a rather difficult task, and this leads to further
loneliness and isolation in the drug user's life.

Drug addicts also face financial problems and this leaves
them completely penniless since they end up spending all
their money on buying drugs. They may even develop the habit
of stealing from others so as to continue with their
addiction. They are in fact undergoing a downward spiral
which eventually ends with their death.

The impact of the use of drugs on the emotional behaviour
of addicts cannot be underestimated in any way, since the
impact is quite immense. Addiction literally causes the
destruction of self confidence and self esteem, which
leaves addicts even more insecure about their survival.
While the addict might sound like a person who is very
charismatic and happy from his outlook, but the reality is
that addiction makes users feel very worthless and they have
to battle against severe depression due to their situation.
This only ends up worsening their situation further. They
develop an even more severe addiction towards drugs,
experiencing many highs and lows in emotional behaviour as
time passes by.

Drug addiction has a lasting impact on the lives of family
members and loved ones. The results are often long lasting
and detrimental, and in most cases, drug addicts start
losing the trust and sympathy of their family who once used
to love them so much. While the addict himself might try
to resolve all his problems on his own, at the end of the
day the addiction causes them to become increasingly
dependent upon others. Spouses usually make an attempt to
deny that the situation even exists, and try pretending that
the addiction is under control through their own action.
The family may also become dysfunctional in the long term,
with the children adopting roles which are not accepted from
them in the natural course. The family as a unit may also
dissolve and crumble with the passage of time.

Drug addicts often face financial problems as mentioned
above. This worsens with the passage of time. The impact
on the financial situation of the addict varies from
individual to individual depending upon the drug to which
they are addicted. Sometimes, these ramifications may be
overwhelming and radical, especially if the user is
addicted to a drug like cocaine. The addict spends up all
his stocks and savings on replenishing his drugs, and when
they have all been spent, addicts may even end up using all
their assets and disposable income. They are just unable
to cover up their expenditures especially their bills and
other daily needs. Such individuals often lose their jobs,
since the signs and symptoms of their addiction become more
evident.

The effect on the health of addicts is more than obvious.
Health issues become more pronounced with each passing day
since addicts often suffer from disruptions in their
sleeping patterns, due to which their immunity system
cripples and weakens leading to various infections and
diseases. Personal hygiene is not a priority for most
addicts, and they do not care about cleanliness and grooming
anymore. Long term addiction can permanently damage
essential organs leading to the death of the addicts at the
end.

Drug addicts often try to cover up their habit, and realize
that what they are doing is not acceptable by society, which
makes them feel even more miserable about themselves. They
may also try to convince their loved ones that they are not
at all addicted to drugs, and become extremely paranoid.
People around them lose confidence, and eventually, for a
drug addict, his drugs become his best friend.


#16. The Drug Problem and Sensitive Kids

There are many personality traits among people and no two
people are the same. This is the beauty of the human race,
the individuality and yet the ability of people to relate
to each other. Though personality is the beauty of human
nature there are still many associated problems that can
be attached to it. A major aspect of these problems comes
during the teen years of an individuals life. There are
many problems that can show up and if they are left
unresolved the results can be pretty disturbing at times.
Time is considered to be a great healer but there are many
things that it is not able to heal. Drug addiction is one
of them.

A major problem that has surfaced recently is that of
teenage drug abuse which has resulted in a dramatic increase
in the number of addicts in that age group. Also, it is not
something that can be taken lightly. It is wrong to think
that it will rub off like the teen years themselves. This
is because once one is addicted to drugs this habit is very
much going to go hand in hand with them for the rest of their
short life.

There are many examples of teen drug abuse that appear in
various studies on addiction. People have mentioned that
they started doing drugs in their teens for one reason or
the other and then the habit stuck. For those who were able
to kick it off at times or during the various stages of their
lives they ended up going back to their old habits once they
were faced with the slightest triggers. Though there are
many success stories as well, still the majority of the
results are not something to be happy about.

The issue gets really problematic for those teens that are
extra sensitive. Often the teen stage is itself a very
sensitive time and makes even those who are not of that
personality type in general quite sensitive. If we add to
this one who is indeed a sensitive person, the outcome is
pretty bleak. In fact these are the kids that are the soft
target for those drug dealers who are out there hunting for
more customers. Distracting these kids from the right track
is not a big issue for the professionals so if you have kids
with sensitive personality traits it is important that you
give them the extra care needed as well.


#17. The Dangers of Smoking Nicotine

The use of nicotine is widespread around the world. It has
been used since ancient times due to its various properties,
which apparently help to relieve tension. Nicotine is known
to be carcinogenic and the reality is that it is extremely
addictive. Its effects can be felt within a minute after
the user has inhaled the smoke which reaches the brain
within a span of 20 seconds. In fact, according to a report
published by the Royal College of Physicians in the United
Kingdom in 2007, nicotine happens to be at least 5 times
more powerful as other drugs such as morphine and cocaine
when it comes to affecting the psychological and physical
behaviour of users, especially since most effects are
related to nicotine addiction. It gives users feelings of
pleasure, which is why they keep turning back to it every
now and then.

It is this addiction to nicotine which makes it extremely
difficult for users to quit smoking, despite the fact that
most users really want to quit. In fact, it has been reported
that up to 70% of smokers and users of nicotine products
wanted to quit this habit on a permanent basis, but only
a few are really successful at it. But at the same time,
20% of those individuals who undertake treatment and
rehabilitation for nicotine addiction are able to
successfully abstain from smoking for more than a year's
period of time.

Nicotine basically causes the flow of adrenaline to
increase to abnormal levels by deterring the normal
function of the adrenal medulla, which is responsible for
the flow of adrenaline in the first place. This surge ends
up increasing the heart rate, blood pressure and
respiration amongst users, and due to long term and frequent
use may lead to various cardiovascular conditions in the
future. Nicotine may also cause insomnia like conditions,
and affect your sleeping patterns. Its use helps to
stimulate the nervous system. If used during the night time
when you are about to sleep, it will keep your mind alert
and stimulated throughout the night when you should be
sleeping and taking rest.

The dangers of smoking nicotine do not end here since the
risks mentioned above only describe the impact of its usage
on the behaviour of users. Despite the fact that it might
not be as dangerous as other drugs that are used commonly
these days, the reality is that nicotine is responsible for
the deaths of half of the regular users.

Nicotine smoking takes away many lives in the world on an
annual basis. According to a report published by the
government in Australia, up to 15,500 deaths in 2003, or
12% of all deaths in the country, were caused by nicotine
smoking. Smokers may also experience a significant
reduction in the quality of their lives since nicotine
smoking has a profound impact on your overall health, and
increases stress in your body. According to the Department
of Health and Human Services in the United States, people
who smoke nicotine are three times more likely to experience
heart attacks and other major cardiovascular conditions
compared to individuals who do not smoke it. Another study
undertaken in Britain showed that nearly 9 out of 10 cases
of lung cancer are caused by smoking nicotine on a regular
basis, while it is also responsible for one third of all
cancer related deaths.

Nicotine smokers use primarily cigarettes that contain more
than 4000 different types of chemicals all of which are
extremely harmful and toxic and permanently damage healthy
cells. The dangerous compounds include acetone which is
commonly found in nail polish removers, benzene which is
cancerous, cadmium which promotes the development of
cancerous cells and damage to various organs, arsenic that
is found in insecticides and ammonia which is normally used
in detergents are normally found in nicotine products such
as cigarettes. Smoking nicotine products gets tar into your
system and it may cause throat and lung cancer amongst
users, and destroys your teeth and the texture of your skin.
It affects the function of the respiratory system, and
weakens the immune system.

Smoking is definitely the same as taking poison. If you are
a smoker, you should discuss the options for quitting with
your doctor.


#18. Teens Using Designer Drugs

Designer drugs are quickly catching up and replacing the
yesteryears marijuana and opium craze. More than 60% of drug
abusers are teenagers. The number is alarming and is
increasing at a fast pace. It is important for parents to
keep a watch over their teen. It is also impossible for law
enforcement to prevent the sale of drugs available in
different concoctions.

Drugs have been around since the times of ancient
Mesopotamia. In the US, it all started in the mid-19th
century when Chinese immigrants brought opium to America.
Opium dens became popular in Chinatown which later spread
to the New York City.

Finding out that their teenager is using drugs can be
shocking for any parent. Under such circumstances, it is
essential to deal with the entire situation delicately.
Keeping an eye on the activities and behavior changes will
be helpful for a parent to detect presence of anxiety or
depression in the first stages. Most kids are dependent on
drugs due to a bad family connection or due to depression.
Parents should build a family connection in order to prevent
the teenager from falling prey to drugs.

It is also essential for a parent to keep an eye on the people
that the teenager hangs out with. Creating a comfortable
environment in the house is essential to make it easy for
the teenager to discuss their problems with their parents.
This will also be helpful for the teenager to speak openly
with their parents when they feel depressed.

Designer drugs are becoming popular across different parts
of the globe. These are readily available substances
created in the lab by a chemist. Spice and ecstasy are the
most famous designer drugs. They have the same effect as
marijuana, opium and amphetamines.

Law enforcement authorities are finding it difficult to
address the situation. Experts in the field of education
are pushing to add drug problems into the curriculum. Though
most parents are unaware of designer drugs, authorities are
urging them to study these drugs over the Internet.

Understanding the effects of designer drugs and observing
the signs of abuse will be helpful for a parent. They should
talk openly with their teen kids about drug abuse. By having
complete understanding of consequences are related with
drug abuse, it is possible for parents to prevent it from
occurring to their loved ones. Education, support, care and
affection from the parent are important for handling the
situation in a delicate manner. Providing all the required
help at the right stage will bring back the teenager to his
normal state.


#19. Teenage Life and Drugs: Alarming News Every Day

With the onset of the teenage years, our bodies undergo
multiple physical and physiological changes mediated by
hormones. So it is these years that are the most vulnerable
years for every person. These are the years when crime seeps
into the minds. These are the years when a person gets caught
in the whirlwind of addiction. These are the years when
personality shapes itself for the better or the worse. It
is, therefore, imperative for parents to know that they need
to monitor their child once they enter their teenage years
and that they need to keep a close, but secretive eye on
them.

Drugs are, perhaps, one of the most important issues among
teenagers today. With mood swings overtaking them,
teenagers tend to be impulsive and aggressive. They have
a personality that is still in the developing mode and so
is vulnerable to peer-pressure and the falsely impressive
images on the internet and the television. Alcohol,
marijuana, heroin and nicotine are a few of the most common
drugs that are used illegally by many teenagers.

All types of drugs that have the potential to cause
addiction have detrimental effects on the body and mind.
As the mind becomes increasingly dependent on the drugs,
it becomes harder to perform normal functions without
taking a dose. Worse still, the dose has to be increased
steadily to achieve the same effects as before. So we see
that drug addicts go into hangovers if the drug is withheld.
They become irritable; they break into a sweat; they start
trembling all over. It is important to recognize if your
child is on drugs before the addiction passes beyond the
possibility of treatment.

What are the signs of drug abuse? Keep a wary eye on your
child. Notice if they have started to demand more money than
usual. Moods will usually change: your child will lose
interest in previous activities, will usually be bored and
will have changed eating habits. They might become ruder
and show signs of hangovers. A very important point to note
is if they have made any new friends or if their old friends
have changed too. Peer pressure and bullying are some of
the most common causes of drug abuse.

Once you realize that your child is a victim of drug abuse,
use affection and care to help them get rid of this self
inflicted torture. Remember that strictness will do more
harm than good. Drug abuse is a torture in itself and should
be stopped before it is too late.


#20. Teaching Children about Drugs

Parents can play a very important role in immunizing their
children against possible drug abuse in the future. They
can make them aware of the facts about drugs to help them
avoid their use. Whenever children feel hesitant about
discussing issues and their inner thoughts with their
parents, they will try approaching sources they think they
can trust despite the fact that they are very unreliable.

Children are obviously innocent and those who do not have
proper awareness are more likely to get involved in drug
abuse and engage in behaviour that compromises their
overall well being. This is the reason why parents should
be educated about various drugs and their effects, so that
they will be able to clear all the possible misconceptions
children might have. It is important to include talks of
drug abuse when discussing various basic health issues with
your child. You need to remember that as a parent, you are
a role model for your child, and your views can actually
discourage your child from actually going near drugs.

Discussions on drug abuse should begin when your child
starts going to school, even though you might feel a bit
nervous about having a talk about this topic in the first
place. You need to keep in mind that the groundwork has
already been laid considering the fact that children do get
prescribed with antibiotics and medications which are
classified as drugs by medical authorities. You should
teach them that one needs to be really responsible when
taking these substances. Apart from that, whenever an
advertisement promoting cigarettes comes on television or
elsewhere, you should use the opportunity to talk about the
kind of harm smoking does to one's body.

This discussion can then lead to conversations about drug
abuse. Make sure that you keep calm at all times and be
patient. As your children grow older and are at least 8 years
old, it is recommended that you have them tell you how they
feel about using drugs. Be nonjudgmental at all times and
listen to them very carefully without contradicting them
at any point since that would encourage them to be honest
with you about it. At this age, you can expect your child
to discuss openly various subjects that are sensitive, and
hold regular conversations since as children grow up, they
usually do not talk so openly anymore.

You can start casual conversations by discussing topics
such as the use of steroids in professional sports or
current events, and have them express their feelings. Such
discussions should continue on a regular basis till the time
your child turns at least 12 since by then he will be
entering his teenage years. He will probably have come
across other children who are also involved in drug and
alcohol abuse, and they will no doubt encourage your child
to try it.

Teenagers are familiar with what drugs are and how they can
affect a person. That is why you should make them aware of
the downsides of their usage. Make them aware of the legal
implications of this habit, and how someone could actually
die if they continue to use drugs. You may also want to set
some rules, and make sure that they are under constant
supervision of someone who can be trusted when they go out.
Apart from that, if you feel that your children or any of
their friends has possibly used drugs then you may consider
imposing punishments so that they will know such behaviour
is simply unacceptable.

Let your children know that there is simply nothing great
about using drugs, and none of us are immune to their
effects. Make them aware of the reality through examples
of other children who might have gotten into a lot of trouble
due to drug use in the past, and always make an effort to
discourage them from using drugs in any case. Always be open
with your child and maintain the bond of trust with them.

You should also be aware of the behavioural traits shown
by children who use drugs since they can help you can
identify the seriousness of the situation. Apart from that,
show interest in your child's life and know his friends.
Children are innocent and they need proper guidance from
their parents.


#21. Symptoms of Drug Abuse Seen in Teenagers

According to surveys carried out in different regions, more
and more teenagers are using drugs and the total number is
alarming. Many teenagers are unaware of the symptoms and
the long-term side effects of drug addiction. Drug abuse
causes side effects that put a person on their deathbed.
It is important for parents to keep a watch over their child
and observe their behavior patterns in order to detect drug
abuse in the early stage. Here are a few of the important
signs and symptoms that will be helpful for a parent to
indicate the presence of drug abuse.

1. Physical behavior

There is a drastic change in the physical behavior of a
teenager taking drugs. This is due to the fact that illicit
drugs take a toll on the brain functioning. There is a
complete change in the behavior pattern. It is also easy
for a teenager to feel inadequate in comparison with an
adult. The reason for this is that the brain is still in
developing stage.

For a parent, it is easy to detect drug abuse in their child
by observing their health. Coughing, running nose, weight
loss, problems related to kidney and liver, glazed eyes and
dental problems are a few of the things which a parent can
keep an eye on.

2. Appetite

Teenagers who are addicted to drugs consume less food. It
is possible for a parent to sense the change in the appetite
by observing the eating habits. There is either weight loss
or weight gain in the teenager. Changing sleep patterns,
hobbies and clothing style are other observations through
which a parent can easily identify drug abuse.

3. Depression

Teenagers using drugs are often in a depressed state.
However, they are unaware of the fact that using drugs does
not eliminate depression. Parents can easily sense a change
in the behavior pattern and observe mood swings. For a
parent, it is important to sense this at an earlier stage
in order to prevent escalation of the issue to a new level
where a teenager starts abusing drugs.

Communication is an important tool in such situations.
Creating a friendly environment is important for a parent.
Speaking with their teenagers will be helpful in noticing
the changes and help them at the right moment. Creating a
family bond is essential if you want to prevent a teenager
from falling prey to drug abuse. Parents should handle the
entire situation very delicately.


#22. Soft Drugs vs. Hard Drugs

You may have heard drug users commonly using the terms hard
drugs and soft drugs when differentiating between the kinds
of substances they are using. Most people believe that there
is nothing to worry about if a person is using soft drugs
such as weed despite the fact that drugs are after all drugs,
and all of them have the same effect in that you lose your
normal consciousness at the end of the day. However, you
might still be wondering what the difference between soft
drugs and hard drugs is, and how to distinguish between
them. The reality is that both hard drugs and soft drugs
happen to be self generated terms, and there is no clear
cut criteria on how to categorize various drugs based on
their scientific properties.

Normally, those drugs that are highly addictive and can be
injected are categorized as hard drugs by users. The most
common ones are cocaine, crystal and heroine, with all three
being very prominent. On the other hand, only marijuana is
classified as a soft drug by users. This might come as a
surprise, even though certain individuals also regard
alcohol and nicotine as soft drugs too. This is due to their
legal status since the use of both alcohol and nicotine by
adults or those above the legal age is permitted in most
countries across the world. Moreover, their use is more or
less socially acceptable as compared to the use of drugs
which have been declared illegal under the law. Apart from
that, the term soft drugs may also be used to identify
gateway drugs, even though their classification is quite
different.

These definitions and classifications leave a number of
questions unanswered. For example, in order for a drug to
be classified as a hard drug, is it necessary and essential
that it should be injected directly, and if this rule is
taken into consideration, then drugs such as meth, crack
and heroine, which are normally smoked, cannot be
categorized as hard drugs altogether despite the fact that
they are pretty addictive and harsh.

Also, the degree of harmfulness of these types of drugs is
determined through factors such the method through which
they are administered, the frequency of use and purity
together with the social context. Another drug, marijuana,
as mentioned above, is classified as a soft drug apparently
because it is relatively less harmful, or what drug users
describe as soft, but this belief is being questioned
increasingly by different experts considering the fact that
marijuana itself has various types. Mostly, hash oil and
hashish are used and are considered to be much harder forms
of cannabis. But at the same time, genetically engineered
versions of weed that are much more powerful have been
developed and the harm caused by them due to long term usage
is now becoming much clearer.

Many research studies that have been undertaken over the
past few years have indicated that a large number of drug
offenders usually use more than one type of drug at the same
time, even though only few would admit it. This is the reason
why more and more experts are questioning the logic of
classifying drugs as soft considering the fact that many
are just unable to limit themselves to a single type of soft
drug with statistics indicating that many users slowly
progress from a soft drug like marijuana, to frequent use
of heroin in the long term.

This pattern is clearly seen in different countries from
around the world. Therefore, if we start classifying drugs
simply on the basis of their degree of softness or hardness,
then the job of categorizing various drugs would become
extremely complex and complicated. For example, there are
many drugs such as magic mushrooms, LSD and ecstasy, that
are not considered to be addictive by users despite
scientific evidence to the contrary. But at the same time,
the incidence of addiction to these drugs is much lower and
they are normally not injected, but are taken orally. Going
by the meaning of soft drugs, it does not make any sense
to identify them as soft drugs altogether.

Therefore, the terminologies soft drugs and hard drugs do
not tell us much about what types of drugs we are talking
about, despite the fact that users consider them to be very
different. Using either type of drug is dangerous and
therefore should be avoided at all costs.


#23. Signs that Help Identify Marijuana Use

It is important for a parent to understand how to spot the
warning signs of drug abuse. This will be helpful in
preventing the teenager from consuming illicit drugs. Drug
abuse is very much similar to being a member of a secret
society. It has its own culture, customs and vocabulary.

Teenagers hide the fact that they are consuming drugs. They
go to great lengths in order to protect the secrecy at any
cost. For a parent, it is important to be educated on how
to spot the warning signs of drug abuse. Gaining authority
and building a friendly environment is essential for making
sure that a teenager does not fall back to the use of drugs.

There are different substances and illicit drugs available
in the market. Ecstasy, cocaine, opium, marijuana and
methamphetamine are the most consumed drugs. Parents have
a gift which is the most important tool that will be helpful
in spotting behavior changes in their child. Parental
instinct is the greatest tool that is at the disposal of
a parent in finding out about drug abuse. Behavior changes,
mood swings, health issues and appearance at the easiest
ways through which a parent can identify drug abuse by their
teenager kid. Every drug has a different cause and effect
on the body.

Marijuana is widely and readily available in the market.
It is also known as chronic, weed, pot, herb, green, trees
and dank in teenagers language. It is commonly smoked.
Parents can keep watch over excessive usage of cologne or
air fresheners. They can also watch for the presence of
smoking utensils, lighters and cigarette papers.

Speaking about behavioral changes, the teen child will
experience laziness, disinterest, hunger, sudden laughter,
disorientation, fatigue and incoherent speech. Speaking
about physical signs, the teenager experiences loss of
coordination, delayed reactions, glazed red eyes and dry
mouth. The availability of home drug test kits is a good
way to confirm drug abuse. Home unit tests or a test is a
good way to bring out the truth about the teenagers drug
abuse activity.

Every drug test has its own advantages. It is important for
a parent to select the right test kit that gives accurate
results. A good amount of information is available over the
Internet. Parents can gather information related to these
test kits and look out for the right choice based upon their
communication level with their teenager. Most parents opt
for hair follicle test, as it does not require the presence
of the teenager.


#24. Prescription Drug Abuse among Adolescents

Different segments of the population are marking an
increase in the number of people prone to drug abuse.
According to different surveys, prescription drugs are
becoming commonly used by high school students. These drugs
are the second most widely used category of drugs among
students and teenagers.

Most teenagers have experience in using opiates,
benzodiazepines and methamphetamine. It has become easy for
teenagers to buy these drugs using a prescription.
According to another survey, 70% of all teenagers using
drugs get the prescription medicines through friends or
family members. Only 5% of the total population addicted
to drugs is getting them from the black market or over the
Internet.

It is not safe for parents to keep prescription drugs in
the medicine cabinet. Though the medicine prescribed is to
eliminate an ailment in an adult, teenagers in the home can
consume at out of addiction. Resisting the addiction is
impossible for most teenagers. They are easily prone to
trouble and can get out of control when they are devoid of
the regular share of drug. It also leads to violent actions
and this is a critical situation for a parent. It is
important for parents to keep a watch over their
prescription drugs at home. At the same time, watching over
the behavior pattern of the child is also necessary to find
out about drug abuse activities.

Apart from storing the prescription medicines in a locked
container, parents can also create a friendly environment
at home. Creating such an environment is important for a
parent to make their teenage kids talk openly about a
problem that is causing them to fall into depression or
anxiety. This is the first stage where a teenager usually
opts for drugs in order to overcome such a situation.
However, when there is a friendly atmosphere at home,
teenagers usually approach their parents to talk over the
issue that is troubling them. This is a good way to reduce
anxiety and depression in a child.

Parents can also build a stronger family bond by
participating in events that talk about the ill effects of
overuse of prescription drugs. Apart from limiting the use
of drugs, parents can keep their teenager busy with
different activities in order to create a diversion of mind.
The communication between a parent and child is essential.
It is possible for a parent to solve the drug problem of
a teenager. All they have to do is to offer support and help
them overcome this situation in a delicate way.


#25. Major Reasons Why Teens Take Drugs

Drugs have always been a means of relieving tension and
people of all ages and both genders can fall for them. But
there are some groups that are at higher risk. Young people
can get acquainted with these drugs and fall for them to
such an extent that it is not possible for them to live
without them. The teen years are among those dangerous
times.

The teen years are a time when a boy or girl is undergoing
a lot of changes, physically and mentally. Social changes
and maturity start to set in and they come across situations
in life that they have never been through. They start
thinking in a somewhat mature way but that is only according
to them. Basically it is a stage of immaturity that is
perceived as much maturity by them.

One important thing is that they have a lot of pressures
in life and think that people are not capable of
understanding them, how they feel, how they want to react
and what their choices in life are. All these things fall
hard on them and they start fancying about drugs. According
to them the only solution to all these problems is the use
of drugs.

Sometimes teens just want to try drugs when they see that
they are being glamorized everywhere and that their friends
are also using them. They just want to know what it feels
like to be on drugs and this one time experience turns into
a long life addiction for them. Media has a major role to
play and teens are basically the most vulnerable class to
be affected by things being portrayed in the media.

And it is not just media or peers to be blamed. Sometimes
even the adults in their own houses are on drugs but they
never think that this can inspire interest from the teens
as well. So they continue with their own habits and in the
end their teens start using drugs or dealing them.

Looking upon other reasons we would come to know that those
teenagers who live away from home like in boarding schools
and dorms have a great tendency to use drugs. This is because
they can easily fall prey to the campaigns of drugs run by
their own seniors. Also teenagers who have separated
parents and broken homes also have a tendency to use drugs
to ease their tensions and frustrations in life.

There can be many reasons for using drugs but all of them
can be discovered and removed. It is important to pay
attention to your teen and to care well for them.


#26. Is Your Teen Addicted to a Drug?

The number of teenagers using drugs has continued to
increase over the past few years. Usually, teens develop
this habit after looking at one or both of their parents
who use alcohol or drugs on a regular basis. For example,
a high school girl might get into a dirty arrangement with
her father who will supply her with alcohol if she agrees
to purchase weed for him.

A large number of people out there do not necessarily
consider weed and alcohol to be addictive drugs or harmful
substances in anyway. That is why they will not really have
any trouble if their child starts using them in the first
place. But at the same time, there are many long term
repercussions of this kind of attitude since the teenager
mentioned in the above example may soon start dealing with
illegal drugs and may also be charged for felony crimes
under the law. She will also get the message from her parent
that drinking alcohol for teenagers is perfectly fine and
there is nothing wrong about it.

In this process, your child will become addicted to
drinking, and the amount she drinks will continue to
increase together with the frequency. This will be followed
by falling grades and developing a social circle consisting
of like minded individuals. Alarm bells will start ringing
for both parents including the father who himself led her
into this situation and you will be forced to take her for
therapy. While your teenager might not realize the gravity
of the situation at the moment, in the future they will
realize what kind of trouble they have gotten into.

The example above is a more common scenario than you think.
There are many instances when the teenage drug abuser also
had a parent who used to rely on drugs themselves. The drug
abusing parents think that since they are not having any
trouble with their drug problem, their teenager will also
maintain normalcy in the long run, since it will be taking
place under their supervision.

According to statistics from federal agencies, 11% of all
alcoholic products are consumed by people aged between 12
and 20, and more than 90% is consumed in binges. Up to
190,000 underage drinkers were admitted at hospitals due
to reasons relating to alcohol consumption. Teenagers
steadily progress from lighter drugs to much harder
versions, and develop a severe addiction that ruins their
emotional relationship and physical health, while they
continue to feel great about themselves.

In fact, people are actually dying from drug addiction
normally because of overdose and other drug related health
complications. Another important thing that needs to be
taken into consideration is the fact that drug users are
normally not restricted to people from poorer socioeconomic
backgrounds, but they are also from privileged
neighbourhoods where they grow up in a rather healthier
environment. They have both access to and money for drugs,
and normally are not held accountable for their actions.

Family history of drug abuse has a profound impact on the
teenagers themselves. This trend has been observed by many
experts from around the world. However, experts in the
medical circles are still unable to figure out the
neurobiology of this condition amongst teenagers, since it
is said that drug use obviously affects the decision making
capability of drug users. But at the same time, it is not
genetics which will determine whether a child will turn out
to be a drug addict, since the behaviour is much more complex
than this. It is also due to the way a teenager interacts
with the surrounding environment which has a lot of
influence on the way he behaves and reacts to different
situations.

As a result of drug abuse, the child's growth is stunted,
and his emotional and physical development slows down
significantly, and the effect of this situation can be
observed in his behaviour. For example, such children want
to be left isolated, their moods will swing more often and
the people they hang out with will be much different as
compared to in the past. They will also try to steal
possessions or cash to purchase drugs.

As a parent, you are definitely a role model for your young
children, and you need to keep a check on the environment
they are growing up in so as to ensure that they grow healthy
without facing any troubles.


#27. Important Facts about Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise among teenagers.
Parents and law enforcement authorities are finding it
difficult to control the situation. However, treatment
starts right at home. Parents, who understand that the
situation is critical, should act in a calm state of mind.
Speaking with their teenager is essential for understanding
the reason why they have started to consume prescription
drugs or illicit drugs. It is easy for a teenager to get
into drug use. Influence of a bad crowd, friends and the
state of depression are cited as the main reasons for an
individual to fall prey to drug abuse.

There is a common misunderstanding that prescription drugs
are safe as doctors suggest them. However, prolonged use
of prescription drugs leads to addiction. Prescribed drugs
contain chemicals that at one point of time provide
pleasurable reactions. Another important factor for an
increase in prescription drug abuse among teenagers is the
readily availability of the drugs in the market. It is
possible for them to get hold of these drugs with the help
of family members and friends. However, teenagers have
started turning towards the use of heroin as prescription
drugs became expensive.

It is important for a parent to keep a watch over the
activities of teenagers to notice drug use in its initial
stage. Parents can keep track of the use of prescription
medicines at their home. It is also possible to notice the
changes in behavior patterns and health issues.

Manufacturers have changed the formula of painkillers,
which makes it crushproof. This is another reason why
teenagers have turned towards heroin. By noticing the
changes in the behavior pattern, appetite, sleeping pattern
and mood swings, it is possible for parents to become
suspicious about drug abuse by their teenager.

Teenagers are often prone to drug abuse as they face many
challenges during adolescence. The peer pressure, social
acceptance and problems at home are cited as the main
reasons. It is important for a parent to create a friendly
and caring atmosphere at home so that the teenager will feel
free and open up to their parents. Keeping a teenager busy
with extracurricular activities is a good way to divert
their mind from using prescription drugs. The initial
support from parents is essential for helping the teenager
pass on from prescription drug abuse to a better future.

Parents play a major role in reducing and eliminating the
growing problem of teen drug abuse.


#28. How to Tell Whether a Teenager is Using Drugs

Teenage drug abuse has become a serious problem in our
society. Though most families deny the presence of the
problem of drug abuse, consuming illicit drugs is rampant
across different age groups. Denying drug abuse in the first
place itself is an offense and by the time a parent brings
their child to a rehabilitation center it may be too late.
It is important for a parent to be open with their children
to speak about drug abuse comfortably. The main aim is to
create a comfortable situation for a child to openly speak
about their problems with their parents.

It is possible for a parent to sense the changes in their
child by following a simple 10-step procedure.

1. It is important to keep a track on the child's
school/college performance.

2. Check whether there is a drop in education grades.

3. Has there been a change in the child's physical behavior?

4. Is the child changing into defensive mode when a parent
asks about their late nights out?

5. Is the teenager hanging out with the wrong people?

6. Is the teenager missing all the family activities?

7. Does the teenager have any mood swings?

8. Is the child stealing money or any other objects from
home?

9. Is there a decrease in appetite?

10. Are there changes in the sleep pattern?

By following these simple steps, it is possible for a parent
to check their child for drug abuse. If, a parent senses
any of the changes in their teenager, it is a good idea to
seek professional help. Evaluation is important for
checking out the addiction level. Bringing the teen kid to
a doctor depends on how well a parent can talk to their
children.

It is important for a parent to act in a positive way to
make sure that there is no development of guilt in the
teenager. Any such development will lead to the entire
situation going out of control. Handling the teen under such
conditions in a delicate manner is essential. Speaking
openly and creating a comfortable environment is crucial
for a parent.

Drug abuse tests and consulting with a specialist will be
of great help in bringing the kid back to normal. It is
necessary for the entire family to come together to help
the kid. Apart from protection, a parent is also responsible
for watching over their children to make sure that they do
not fall for drug abuse.


#29. How to Keep Your Teen Off Drugs

As a parent, you certainly realize the importance of
focusing on the growth and development of your children.
It is all about ensuring their safety and wellbeing and
further strengthening your relationship with them. As your
children grow, they will interact with different people,
and with that, the risk of exposure to different dangers
to their existence and wellbeing will also increase at an
exponential rate. At this stage, you are like a fortress
protecting them. You are their great line of defence which
will help them keep safe from all the dangers that surround
them.

Drug abuse has increased amongst young people in the past
several years. Your children are also at risk and that is
why you should be concerned about this issue to ensure that
your children do not end up getting addicted to them. In
this regard, the most important thing you can do is talk
with them openly about this topic and search for measures
through which you can effectively prevent them from gaining
access to drugs in the first place. However, the good news
for parents according to research studies is that most
children refuse drug abuse in the first place, but at the
same time 25% of all teenagers have been reported to have
smoked marijuana by the time they turned 16. While the use
of many addictive and potentially dangerous drugs such as
heroin and cocaine has decreased, 8% of all children have
admitted using them.

There is no job tougher than being a parent and discussing
the subject of drug abuse is going to be pretty difficult.
However, such a discussion would have a long term impact
on the lives of your children, so keep this in mind to
encourage yourself to open up to your children about this
topic. Before you can start, the first thing you will have
to do is to set yourself as an example. Children follow their
parents as role models more than anyone else, and if you
exhibit positive behaviour, than your children are bound
to follow your traits, including as far as drug abuse is
concerned. Even if you think your children are largely
ignorant of how you behave, the reality is that they try
following you as an example. In this regard, show your
outright rejection of drugs and drug abuse through your
behaviour and actions, and your children are bound to follow
you.

Deal with stressful situations in a positive manner and try
developing an optimistic environment in your house. In this
regard, if you ever commit a mistake, make sure that you
admit and apologize for it, especially if your children
witnessed or were directly affected by your action.

Secondly, you should communicate more openly with your
children about all kinds of topics and show interest in
their lifestyle. Ask them questions about what they did all
day, and indulge in positive and constructive conversations
since this also helps to enhance their creativity skills.
Pay equal attention to each and every child, and give a
positive response every time.

You should also follow their activities and actively
participate in them. You may also get involved in their
activities in an indirect way if your children do not feel
comfortable with you hanging around them all the time, and
make them realize that you are very proud of their
achievements. However, at the same time, you should also
set boundaries as far as their freedom and degree of
independence is concerned. This will help your children
develop self confidence and enable them to interact with
others in a positive manner. Self confidence also helps to
enhance social skills, but at the same time, impose limits
to certain activities which do not really promote social
skills such as the use of social media websites.

Thirdly, and most importantly, eliminate the factors that
lead to drug abuse in the first place. While the above
factors will automatically bring in the feeling of well
being amongst your children, there are steps that you can
take to avoid the temptation to use drugs in the first place.
Tackle any inappropriate behavioural symptom as soon as
possible, and keep a check on the social circle of your
children. Low social economic conditions together with peer
pressure and educational stress at school often lead to drug
abuse.

You may want to get in touch with your local drug
rehabilitation centre to get more information on how to keep
your children away from drugs.


#30. How to Handle Children Who Test Positive for Drugs

For any parent it is uncommon to overlook the well-being
of their teenage child, but a drug abuse problem may go
unnoticed for quite some time. Teenage years are the
transformation period and the influence of bad activities
will make a kid select the wrong path. There is an adverse
effect on the health and life of a drug addict.

It is natural to worry as an anxious parent. However, there
is a possibility to carry out a drug test in order to check
whether your kid is taking illicit drugs. This will help
you take corrective measures at the right time before it
is too late.

The first step to take as a parent is to talk to your child.
Opening up with kids is important for making sure that a
friendly atmosphere is prevailing at home. This makes it
easy for a child to discuss any problem with their parents
openly. Starting the conversation at an early stage will
help detect drug abuse in its first stage. Preparing a teen
to talk about use of drugs is a sensitive issue. For a
parent, it can be frustrating and filled with anxiety.
However, it is at this stage that they should exhibit
patience and help their child understand the fact that they
are loved and the parents are there to help.

If a parent senses a change in the behavior of their child,
then there is no other choice but to carry out a drug abuse
test. This is the only way through which you will be able
to confirm whether a person is consuming drugs. There are
different tests that reveal the presence of drug abuse.
There are even a few home kits available that a parent can
use to confirm a suspicious activity of their child.
Selecting a reliable test is essential. It is important to
select a kit that has clearance from the FDA.

A reliable test kit will detect the presence of drugs such
as cocaine, Marijuana, opium, Ecstasy and Amphetamine.

Another important thing for a parent is to act in the right
way. One should be well prepared to accept the outcome of
the test. Creating a positive environment is essential for
a parent to talk to their child. A teenager should never
feel guilty. Dealing the situation with care and affection
has a lasting effect and prevents a teenager from returning
to the unsolicited environment. Seeking help from the
family physician is a great way to let a child speak out
their trouble, feel free and accept the right path to
change.


#31. How Drugs are Taking Heavy Toll on Teenagers

Drug abuse is taking its toll on many individuals. Teenagers
are often found to be addicted to different drugs. The use
of painkillers is also leading to addiction.

Prescription medicines are widely available in the market.
Teenagers are finding different ways to buy illicit drugs.
Officials are concerned about the rising numbers. It has
become impossible for law enforcement to provide a proper
protection or eliminate the availability of drugs on the
black market. As the sources are unknown, it is becoming
difficult to trace the original source of illicit drugs.

Teenagers are usually prone to drug abuse when they are in
the state of depression. For a parent, it is important to
keep a watch on their teenager in order to prevent the
occurrence of drug abuse. There are different ways in which
parents can notice the change in the behavior pattern of
the teenager.

A depressed teenager often finds solace in drugs. This is
a major concern as children are finding it difficult to
speak with their parents freely or openly. It is necessary
for parents to create a friendly environment at home that
helps build a good family connection. When there is a good
family connection, a teenager will never take the help of
drugs in order to overcome anxiety or depression.

Parents who are suspicious about their teenager using drugs
can now perform a home test to confirm this. There are three
different types of home test kits available in the market.
It is important for a parent to do the test in order to
discover the presence of drug abuse. Urine, saliva and hair
follicle tests are the different formats of the drug tests.

Observing the behavior pattern of the child will also be
helpful for a parent to become suspicious about drug abuse.
A teenager who uses drugs often feels dizziness, headache,
has glazed eyes, breathing complications, coughing, and
sweating and weight loss. Their appetite and sleep patterns
also change drastically.

Drug diversion is important for a parent to bring their teen
kid back to normal. Apart from creating a friendly
environment, it is also important to create family bonding.
This will be helpful for the teenager to approach their
parents and speak directly about a problem or the reason
behind their depressive state. Seeking professional help
at times is also helpful for parents when they want bring
their drug using teenager back to his normal life for good.


#32. How Drug Abuse Destroys Lives

The catastrophic situation of man being killed by what he
himself created has been widely accepted; so much so that
it no longer raises eyebrows or drops jaws. A drug that was
initially made to help mankind can be and is used for
destroying mankind itself. While the wheels of time go round
and round without stopping, man continues to rush to
self-destruction, opting to use his knowledge to devastate
his own talent.

Drug abuse is an issue that has gained immense importance
recently. However, it has been around for much longer and
did not just appear in the last few years. It has been a
problem since man realized that pleasure can be delivered
by a single gulp of alcohol or a single sniff of heroin.

Drug abuse is an uncontrolled phenomenon. Drugs are easy
to find due to the smuggling of banned products like opium
and heroin. There is a multitude of others, of which
marijuana, alcohol, cocaine and nicotine are worth
mentioning. Though their use might be occasional in some
hospitals, this use is strictly under therapeutic doses and
used only to relieve the patient of the pain of the most
severe kind. In general, the use of drugs leads to addiction
and eventual dependence on the drug to an extent that the
person might commit a crime to obtain the drug they are
addicted to.

There are a few classic signs of drug addiction that appear
with every drug. A drug addict will show an emaciated,
possibly filthy appearance; the skin will look older than
it really is; eyes will be red and pupils dilated; there
might be an offensive odor in the breath as well.
Irritability becomes second nature while laziness becomes
the routine.

Money extravaganza becomes a habit. When such signs appear,
know that your loved one needs help. Scrutinize any new
friends or the previous ones for similar changes. Note any
depression that may have led to drug abuse. Some people will
jump into the clutches of this mafia for the sole purpose
of looking cool, a perception that will most easily be
perceived by the parents since they know their childs
personality best.

If your child has fallen victim to drug abuse, the only
solution is to demonstrate your love and affection fully.
A pat on the back to show that you are there to help him
or her out will work wonders. Save your child from the
influence of the crime on the streets; protect them from
the filth of depression and dejection. If necessary, seek
medical help. But do not delay the cure: the longer the span
of drug abuse, the worse it becomes.


#33. How do Teenagers Take Drugs

You would often hear people ask how and why teenagers end
up using drugs in the first place, despite the fact that
everything seems to be normal with them. For parents, having
a teenage child who uses drugs is nothing else but their
worst nightmare. Drugs are often regarded as precursors to
other dangerous activities such as violent crime and
addiction may cripple users and eventually be fatal.

Most teenagers tend to use drugs because they feel very
relaxed and even more confident after using them. The
reality is that drugs do make you feel good since they tend
to directly act on the various nerve centres of our body
including the limbic system present in the brain, which is
also regarded as the pleasure centre. Teenagers usually
start using drugs for recreation during the initial stages,
while some begin by smoking a cigarette at a social
gathering such as a late night party. While most of them
cannot be considered smokers during this stage, they tend
to feel really good about this new activity which they also
feel makes them sound cool. Later on, they use drugs
randomly just to give them a try thinking that it will be
real fun.

The problem here is that drugs have the same impact on
individuals whether they are using them for the first time
or habitually. Most teenagers therefore tend to use drugs
to get the "feel good" effect, and feel as if their use would
change their situation in a positive way forever. They
become reliant on drugs to improve their mood whether they
are depressed, nervous or stressed out. They just use them
for relaxing their mental state of mind and body. However,
this feeling is not at all real and can have dangerous
fallout on the overall health of users..

Many teenagers have started using drugs because of peer
pressure. Young people want to belong to groups of people
they like such as friends and other colleagues, and they
do not want to be the odd one out in such gatherings. The
feeling of being left out is often quite crippling for
teenagers. They consider it to be a kind of social stigma
and they start using drugs to cover their feelings of
insecurity. However, what they do not take into
consideration is the fact that drugs only end up further
isolating them from their loved ones, and they just look
forward to gaining the attention of one party who they are
impressed by.

Secondly, some teenagers start using drugs as a way to relax
and escape from their problems. Young people often get
stressed out very easily and are just unable to cope with
the various tensions in their lives and this leads to them
taking up drugs. Once they get that relaxed feeling by using
drugs, they start to use them on a more regular basis, and
they feel that it is easier to deal with their problems.
However, they also feel a strong guilt in the end when they
get back to normal.

While it might sound bizarre, some teenagers start using
drugs out of boredom and to bring some excitement into their
lives. This is just to try something new which is often
regarded as very dangerous and risky. Many high profile
celebrities have been caught using drugs, and this has not
really helped change this fact. However, drugs do not change
your situation since they only worsen it.

Another reason why teenagers may start using drugs is that
they feel that this is what would make them seem more mature
and appear grown up in the eyes of others. This is a very
weird reason considering the fact that most people do not
start using drugs just because they are adults. While adults
lead very busy lives, most of them normally do not have the
time to start using drugs just to prove their maturity and
this is something that teenagers simply do not understand.

Teenagers are often pretty rebellious in nature, and
sometimes this turns out to be the reason why they want to
use drugs considering the fact that it is often associated
with bad people and those against the law. In any case, the
usage of drugs only cripples your life and does not bring
any real happiness.


#34. Drug Addiction - Save Your Teen While You Can

Drug addiction is a torture usually inflicted upon oneself.
It is a whirlwind in which if one is caught, there seems
to be no escape. When man entered into the field of medicine,
he wanted to relieve his body of the agonies inflicted by
diseases. But soon he realized that his mind asked for
pleasure, and that pleasure can be artificially generated
to soothe the mind.

However, before he discovered that artificial pleasure dims
the natural faculties of the mind, a major portion of
humanity had gained access to the addicting medications.
Though therapeutically recommended, the use expanded and
soon drug abuse became a well documented and well studied
case.

A number of drugs have the ability to cause addiction.
Benzodiazepines are the most popular example. Others
include alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, nicotine and
a dozen others. The real problem in the entire story is the
ease of access and the increasing trend of over the counter
sales of drugs.

If a medical store refuses to provide a drug, online
purchase is always an option. Cigarettes are sold in every
shop in the subcontinent; alcohol is present in unlimited
amounts in bars all over the globe. Marijuana and heroin
are smuggled in appalling amounts across the borders of
nearly every country in the world. Such drugs may be used
by the doctors to reduce pain but only in strictly
controlled amounts.

If you are a parent and your child is in his mid-teens, you
need to be more alert than usual. Teenage years are the time
when people are more vulnerable to the crime mafia; this
is the time when the personality is somewhere of an
intermediate between being raw and being mature.

Peer pressure plays havoc with minds and depression is a
frequent companion. In such cases, if your child starts to
show signs of irritability, rudeness and changes in
attitude and moods, it is time to scrutinize the case a bit.
Your child might be spending more money than usual and he
or she might be losing interest in previous hobbies. One
of the most important signs is the drastic fall in grades
as education suffers.

Drugs command the brain and this can destroy a person. It
is important not only to know the theory, but also to realize
and appreciate it. Know that your child can be a victim,
and keep an affectionate wing over them so that resorting
to drugs remains the remote option it is at present.


#35. Cocaine Effects, Addictions, and Problems

Cocaine is a powerful drug used as a stimulant of the mind
that can greatly increase a person's alertness for about
one hour, but also tends to interfere with their feeling
of pleasure and hampers movement, both of which are
controlled by chemical messengers from the brain. Cocaine
is addictive and can result in some bad mental and physical
complications for the user. It is commonly snorted up the
nose and sometimes it is made into a solution and then
self-injected. Cocaine is the second most commonly abused
drug after alcohol and, perhaps surprisingly, the average
age of a person using cocaine is in their early forties.

Cocaine Effects

The effects of cocaine usually occur within a few seconds
of taking the drug and can last approximately three to six
hours, but they can last longer depending on the person,
and symptoms usually end within about an hour after the last
use; there are many effects, most of them bad, and they are
mainly summarized below:

More self-confidence.
A higher pain tolerance.
More energy.
Hallucinations.
Increased risk of getting HIV and / or Hepatitis.
Risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and heart
irregularities.
Elevated blood pressure and more possibility of having
strokes and / or brain seizures.
Paranoid or violent behaviour.
Decreased sex drive.
Decreased appetite.
Less confidence and energy.
Lack of interest in family and friends, sports, hobbies,
etc.
Pupil dilation.
Insomnia.
Schizophrenia.
Depression.

Addiction

Cocaine is extremely addictive, particularly when smoked,
but also when snorted. Addiction is not necessarily
permanent, complete rehabilitation is possible and many
people have achieved this, although conversely many people
have not, and it is characterized by binges which last for
several hours, sometimes several times a week, and
progressive intravenous use and/or smoking, leading to a
strong feeling of euphoria with an almost total disinterest
in anything other than the drug, including sleep, food, sex,
family and friends, and their own survival. Doctors have
used cocaine to counter depression and morphine addiction,
but a cocaine addict can then develop depression, so it is
a vicious circle; cocaine addiction is sometimes treated
with an antidepressant desipramine. Addiction treatment is
often provided only in groups which appear to be too
limited, and many addicts would like individual as well as
group sessions.

Problems

Snorting cocaine can affect the nose and throat in many
ways, including nosebleeds, a loss of sense of smell, unable
to swallow, hoarseness, and an overall irritated nasal
passage. Lung problems can result from smoking crack and
injecting can lead to a greater risk of overdosing which
itself leads to many other problems. Use of cocaine is not
advised for anybody unless prescribed by a Doctor and
especially should be avoided by anyone with problems of
their heart or respiratory system, or anyone who has ever
suffered from psychological problems. Cocaine is an
anaesthetic, and hence the associated problems are not
easily spotted in the early stages. Cocaine addicts often
suffer behavioral, physical, and social problems and may
well have problems in getting/keeping a job and maintaining
any sort of relationship with another person and may get
themselves involved in illegal activities which could lead
to imprisonment; the overall problems can lead to
homelessness.


#36. Causes and Solutions for Teen Drug Issues

Sadly, one of the common problems associated with teenagers
is that of drugs. They have become a duo that seems to be
inseparable and this is a worrisome issue not just for the
parents but for the whole of society which is at the risk
of a big problem as well. Many programs are now being run
to counter this problem and the results are quite mixed.
In fact no one can say that they are seeing a major
improvement.

Not very long ago the general impression was that the drug
problem was only associated with teenagers of the lower
classes. Drug addicts were thought to be people who were
stuck in the tangles of poverty and therefore, their parents
were not really bothered or could not really do much about
what their teens were up to. However, all of this is the
story of the past. In more recent times the situation has
changed a lot. Children from very rich families attending
all those fancy schools are into the drug problem as well.
Therefore, the economic situation is no longer the deciding
factor.

The main problem has to do with the friends that the kids
have. Many of them get hooked on drugs because this is what
they see their friends doing. Peer pressure is a very
dangerous thing and something that can have dire
consequences as well. This does not mean that you should
not let your kids make friends or let them do what most of
the people around their age group are doing. What needs to
be done is that parents should develop such a relationship
with their kids that they wont opt for hiding things or
take the situations that they are facing to others and then
be guided in the wrong direction.

Bullying is a major factor that contributes to teenage drug
use. Kids start taking drugs when they dont want to share
their problems with their parents. This leads to them
keeping their frustrations inside them and the result is
that they become very stressed out. As everyone knows, at
that stage of life an outlet is surely needed to make sure
that one is not suffering from any long term problems. The
result is then that teens start off with drugs to look for
the peace and solutions that they cant find elsewhere.

It is important that parents maintain an in-depth relation
with their kids to avoid all factors leading to the problem
of drug use.



Drug Treatment Resoures

The Best At-home-drug Withdrawal Program Online/Offline:
( recommended treatment to get off drugs)
Go to: http://tinyurl.com/mzslqgh

Cannabis Coach Quit Smoking Marijuana Audio Program:
Go to: http://tinyurl.com/kch82ur

All drugs does is destroy lives, help some one you love to
get off them.

Thank You,
Terry Clark


















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